The Agricultural University of Tirana marks an important turning point in the Albanian education system thanks to its successful partnership with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Starting this September, it will offer a new academic program fully harmonized with BOKU – a leading European university with a long-standing tradition in the field of life sciences.

At a special event attended by Prime Minister Rama, pupils and students were introduced today to nine new study programs – an excellent opportunity for young people who will soon be essential to Albania’s path toward the EU, particularly in areas related to the environment, food, water management, and more.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama:

Greetings to everyone, to the students, and the high school graduates, because they are the primary reason we are gathered here today. It is important that we try to inform as many high school graduates as possible that a new development is taking place in Tirana.

The Agricultural University has gone through two significant phases in its history.

There was a time when the Agricultural University was a true center of excellence, despite difficult conditions and limited resources. It was a point of reference this was before the fall of the earlier regime, a time when the University was the primary source of knowledge for the agricultural and rural development needs of the country. The professors at Agricultural University were academic scholars of extraordinary caliber – this is undeniable.

Then came a different phase – one of decline, abandonment, and degeneration of its public image, where, aside from the human resources inherited within its walls, there was nothing left.

Meanwhile, together with the rector, we found ourselves on the same wavelength. And so, we went to BOKU, a university founded in 1872, and the gentleman who spoke before me was BOKU’s former rector – still in office when we first met him. I was the first Prime Minister ever to climb the steps of that university since 1872.

That was the beginning of our discussion. The rector was a polite and civil man and, of course, couldn’t refuse to receive us. But I could feel he looked at us with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Nevertheless, here we are today!

Thanks to this man – who, by chance, retired from his academic career right during this period – and who joined us with generosity and goodwill, we have more than just a consultant: we have a travel companion who knows exactly what we need. And thanks to Bardhi, we have achieved a reform that is nothing short of radical.

The entire curriculum design process was shifted away from the hands of department heads and those who had always controlled it – for better or worse, or both – and placed into the hands of an internal commission and the students themselves. What has been achieved is something that convinces me personally that, by 2030, Agricultural University and BOKU will be the same, and Agricultural University will serve as BOKU’s antenna in our region.

Everyone should keep in mind that Albania does not need more lawyers – to be very realistic with each other. But Albania, which will soon be part of the European Union, urgently needs the types of professionals that the Agricultural University of Tirana prepares. Because Albania, like the rest of Europe and the world, faces climate change, environmental degradation, rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the loss of ecosystems that directly affects agriculture, water supply, and biodiversity. These challenges are inseparable from our life on this planet and from our European journey.

The ability to build climate-resilient agriculture, to use land sustainably, to address environmental challenges with knowledge and in the interest of human well-being – rather than poverty – are capabilities that Albania currently lacks. Yet, Albania urgently needs them today and will need them even more in the years ahead.

With EU membership, the number of professionals needed from the fields covered by Agricultural University will need to increase significantly to serve the Albanian state.

Today, over 2 billion people face significant water shortages – thirst. Meanwhile, agriculture consumes about 70% of freshwater. The world is now talking about smart water management. What does this mean? It means integrated resource management, irrigation technologies, water policies – to prevent crises, conflicts, and total collapse due to water scarcity. These are the themes that are central to BOKU’s academic and research agenda – and therefore now part of Agricultural University’s mission as well.

Then there are the key issues of innovation and technology related to rural life.

Without life in the village, there is no life in the city. Without production in the village, cities cannot survive. In this context, we need knowledgeable individuals for all the modern technologies that are rapidly entering the scene – satellites, drones, image processing, data analysis, and scientific research on data. We are on time, but just barely.

Natural disasters and risk management can no longer be addressed by simply blaming the government for not cleaning a canal. We need new knowledge, new structures, and new forces. Increasingly, the ability of states, governments, institutions, and cities must focus on interdisciplinary integrated solutions – bringing together science, engineering, economics, politics, and territorial ability.

What we are doing – what Bardhi’s team is doing together with Hubert and the BOKU professors, over 15 of whom have visited Tirana more than once and, as Hubert mentioned, are excited by this experience – is essentially planting a field with new seedlings of knowledge and professions. This field now needs new forces – without prejudice, but with clarity, information, and awareness – to knock on the door of the Agricultural University of Tirana.

In the EU membership negotiation chapters, “Agriculture and Rural Development” is a dedicated chapter. “Environment and Climate Change” is a dedicated chapter. “Food Safety, Veterinary, and Phytosanitary Policies” is a dedicated chapter. “Water and Waste Management” is another chapter. All of these are some of the most difficult challenges for a country like ours.

All Albanian universities must now clearly understand that we have set an example. If they want extra support, they must do what Agricultural University is doing.

The government will completely change its financial approach. If there is no second university like an agricultural university, any extra resources will go to the Agricultural University of Tirana.

We will make an agricultural university a regional beacon. We will ensure it becomes part of the European university landscape in these fields and provide Albania with an extraordinary and essential source of knowledge.

Others are entirely respected and encouraged. They will receive their share of the regular budget – but from the added funds, no one will receive anything unless they do what Agricultural University is doing. Real reform.

As Hubert briefly mentioned, there is a fundamental problem. Our universities cannot continue functioning like extended high schools. They must become research centers – places where students appear not merely as people who repeat what they’ve been taught but as added value individuals.

Scientific research – currently Agricultural University’s weakest point – will receive all the support we can provide, together with BOKU.

Thank you very much.

To all high-achieving and ambitious high school graduates, I say: Albania has plenty of lawyers, but it lacks professionals in these vital areas – the hottest global topics today, which will soon become the most burning issues for the world, for Europe, and for Albania. Those few professionals we do have are teaching at Agricultural University.

Thank you all!