Commissioned by GIZ, HFFA Research GmbH supported the Agricultural University of Tirana in shaping a strategic vision and institutional roadmap to strengthen its role as Albania’s leading agricultural education and research institution.
The Agricultural University of Tirana (AUT), along with its Experimental Didactic Farm (EDF), is central to Albania’s agricultural transformation—equipping future professionals with the knowledge and skills to advance sustainable and climate-resilient farming. However, AUT faces mounting pressures: aligning with EU policies and standards, responding to technological change, reversing declining student enrollment, and competing in an increasingly international academic landscape.
To ensure AUT and EDF remain effective, innovative, and future-ready, HFFA Research GmbH was engaged to develop a “Development Strategy 2030.” Working closely with university stakeholders, the team is crafting a strategic management plan and roadmap, alongside a conceptual business plan for the EDF. The strategy addresses three key pillars: enhancing research excellence and international collaboration; improving teaching quality and infrastructure; and creating attractive career pathways and working conditions to retain top talent. The process also explores AUT’s integration into the EU’s Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) to leverage regional synergies and innovation flows.
The strategy will serve as a practical guide for institutional renewal, supporting AUT in maintaining academic relevance, boosting research capacity, and expanding its influence in agricultural education—both nationally and across the Western Balkans.