The second international workshop entitled: “Dual Curricula – Study and Work Practice in Agriculture and Food Safety”, started on Tuesday at the University “Isa Boletini” in Mitrovica (UIBM), within the project “DualAFS”. Participants in this project, in addition to those from the Faculty of Food Technology at UIBM, are also representatives of partner universities in this project: University “Nuertingen-Geiingen” from Germany, which is a leading partner, University “Savonia” from Finland, Agricultural University of Tirana and the University “Fan S. Noli” of Korça, from Albania, the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”.

Rector of UIBM, prof.dr. Alush Musaj, before the start of the workshop, accompanied by the Dean of the Faculty of Food Technology, prof.dr. Milam Sadiku, hosted the professor, Ardita Jahja – Hoxha, from the University of Applied Sciences in Finland, which is also part of this project. Musaj praised the good work being done within the “DualAFS” project, given the exchange of experiences between public universities.

At the opening of the workshop, the Vice Rector for International Cooperation and Scientific Research, prof.dr. Behxhet Shala, who wished success to the workshop participants. He said UIBM is developing policies and mechanisms to advance teaching and research, including fostering cooperation with various domestic and international partners.

According to him, this effort raises the need to adapt curricula so that they are as productive and applicable as possible. “This project is one of the essential ones in achieving this objective, in this case in the field of agriculture and food security,” he said.

Otherwise, the “DualAFS” project aims to develop student knowledge and employment of graduates, as well as improve competition in the sciences of agriculture and livestock, food processing and improve the competitiveness of businesses and other beneficiaries in agriculture and livestock and the quality of safety of food products of animal origin.

Within this workshop will be held an international conference, where will be invited partners of universities from the business sector, public institutions and representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development. The conference will present the results of a survey conducted in Kosovo with food businesses, farmers, students, academic staff and public institutions.

There will be presentations from partner universities of universities in Europe, which will give examples on the importance of increasing cooperation between businesses and universities. During the conference will be discussed the importance of businesses as partners of universities for practical learning and student training. The conference will also discuss lifelong learning centers to be established within universities. The workshop will last three days.