Organizers and Partners

The Higher Agricultural Institute (HAI) was established on November 1, 1951, just seven years after the end of the Second World War, at a time when Albania had only recently reasserted its sovereignty—albeit as part of the communist bloc. First lectures on agricultural sciences were delivered at the Faculty of Agronomy in 1951.
The founding of HAI took place during a challenging period, as Albania, a relatively young nation, had been independent for just four decades, having removed itself from the fold of Ottoman Empire and endured the devastation of two world wars.
The establishment of the Higher Agricultural Institute (HAI), today referred to as the Agricultural University of Tirana (UBT), aligned with the state-oriented policies adopted by many post-war European countries to boost agricultural production in response to widespread poverty and hunger. The journey of HAI—along with that of higher education in Albania—can be traced back to Laprakë, seventy years ago. Five years later, in 1956, the institute moved to Kodër-Kamëz, an area then covered in oak forests and meadows that surrounded Tirana at the time—the very spot where it remains to this day.
The Higher Agricultural Institute was established during a time when Albania was mired in backwardness and misery, trapped in a medieval state of existence that most European countries had overcome centuries earlier. Under these harsh conditions—exactly 74 years ago—HAI laid its foundations as a beacon of knowledge and hope for hundreds and thousands of young male and female students, and for the many dedicated lecturers who embarked upon a critical mission: to fundamentally reshape the lives and behavior of the rural producer and the urban consumer alike.
Today, while remaining faithful to its tradition, the Agricultural University of Tirana has expanded its academic and research portfolio—driven by strengthened academic capacities and enhanced laboratory expertise. Its faculties, departments, and academic staff stand among the most reliable partners of the Albanian Government in the drafting and implementation of development programs and strategies. After 74 years, AUT has emerged as a consolidated university, with one of the best campuses and teaching/laboratory infrastructures in Albania. With roughly 6,000 students enrolled and the most highly qualified academic staff in its history, AUT continues to gain ground in the fields of knowledge and scientific research it covers. The university is led by a comprehensive strategic development master plan that extends well beyond the year 2030.
After 74 years, the Agricultural University of Tirana (UBT) has a crystal-clear vision and a well-defined path to fulfilling its mission in strategically vital areas for the country, such as: food security, animal health closely linked to public health, the sustainable management of natural resources (including soil, water, biodiversity, and climate change adaptation), environmental quality, and the development of the agricultural economy.
After 74 years of its existence, AUT has defined clearly it perspective and direction as it is zooming in on 2030. With a forward-looking mission “AUT as a Center of Excellence”—the university is following a well-defined roadmap to achieve its strategic goals, drawing on the guidance and institutional support from the University of Vienna (BOKU).
As of today, graduates of the Agricultural University of Tirana have revitalized rural areas — they produce and export goods and services, welcome visitors and tourists, keep tradition alive and kicking, promote natural resources, and serve as key drivers of sustainable development. AUT alumni have made and continue to make significant contributions within both local and central administrations by making their way up even to the highest leadership positions in the state.
It is difficult to find a corner of the world where a AUT graduate has not left a mark. The sons and daughters, who have graduated from AUT, continue to contribute to hundreds of organizations, institutions, and universities across the globe.
Currently the university has about 6000 students, 5 Faculties and 1 Institute. AUT offers 45 accredited study programmes at BSc, MSc and PhD levels (in 12 BSc, 27 MSc and 6 PhD programmes).
The university has 600 employees, of which more than 300 are Professors or Associate Professors.