Given the importance of the agricultural sector for Albania’s economy and society, the Agricultural University of Tirana (AUT), as institution of higher education in the field of agriculture, is of utmost importance for the country. Together with its Experimental Didactic Farm (EDF), it is considered to be the key institution that provides the Albanian agricultural sector with qualified knowledge and expertise. However, in the light of the EU approximation new challenges for the agricultural sector regarding new policy measures and EU standards arise. At the same time, universities are confronted with an increasing international competition, declining numbers of students and the challenge to keep up on digitalization and the newest technological developments.

To address these issues and to ensure that AUT and EDF can fulfil their roles in the upcoming decades, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) commissioned HFFA Research to support the AUT in designing a strategic management plan and roadmap for the future. The aim is to prepare and position the AUT and its didactic farm as a future-proof and innovative teaching and research institute to be able to face demographic challenges on the one hand and to provide services of utmost quality on the other hand.

During the assignment our team will develop a concept for an “Institutional Development Strategy 2030” of AUT and create a feasible roadmap including a suitable business model for the strategic development of the EDF. Part of the assignment will also be to support the process and explore the possibilities and synergies through integrating AUT into the Integrated Research and Knowledge Management System (AKIS) of the EU.

For more information, please contact steffen.noleppa@hffa-research.com or juliane.kaufmann@hffa-research.com.