The conference within the “2nd International Workshop”, Dual Curricula – Study and Work Practice in Agriculture and Food Safety Project, was held on March 1, 2022, at the University “Isa Boletini” in Mitrovica (UIBM). 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; the University “Savonia” from Finland; the Agricultural University of Tirana and the University “Fan S. Noli” of Korça, from Albania, the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”.

At the opening of the workshop, the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Behxhet Shala, 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, the effort raises the need to adapt curricula to be 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.

The results of a survey conducted in Kosovo and Albania with food businesses, farmers, students, academic staff, and public institutions were presented at the conference. During the conference, it was discussed the importance of businesses as partners of universities for practical learning and student training. The conference also discussed lifelong learning centers to be established within universities.

On March 2, 2022 the workshopcontinued the works aboutthe practice-oriented curricula in partner universities from Albania and Kosovo. Dual curricula have been developed at the Agricultural University of Tirana and the University “Fan Noli” Korça, while the University “Isa Boletini” Mitrovica and the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina” have advanced the practical part of the current curricula.

On the third and last day of the “2nd International Workshop” within the DualAFS project, which was held at the University “Isa Boletini” in Mitrovica, participants visited the winery “Stone Castle” in Rahovec. During this study visit the laboratory, the filtration process and the technological line of wine filling and packaging were visited. The engineer, Fejzullah Berisha, informed the participants about the history, production process, export and investments made in the company.

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.