Two food technology experts from Bern University of Applied Sciences are assisting the Abdyl Frasheri Agricultural School in Pristina with the implementation of new concepts. The aim is to achieve long-term optimisation of the school’s courses and its use of the infrastructure.  Graduates should receive an education that is as practically oriented as possible, enabling them to contribute to the strengthening of the food industry in Kosovo.

 

Even now, some years since the war in Kosovo, there is still a great need for reform and much catching up to be done, including in the area of vocational education and training.  Commissioned by swisscontact, Daniel Reumiller, lecturer and head of the course in Food Science & Management of the department at the Swiss College of Agriculture SHL, and Markus Vaihinger, research assistant, travelled to Kosovo in order to gain an idea of the quality of education provided by the Abdyl Frasheri Agricultural School in Pristina.

 

Assistance with practical training

Reumiller and Vaihinger analysed various aspects of the training offered and developed suggestions for a new course in the area of agribusiness. These suggestions were presented in a symposium with top-flight representatives from the worlds of education and business and were met with widespread approval. Having received this initial mandate, the task of the experts is now to support the school in the implementation of new concepts. They will do this by, amongst other things, preparing practice-oriented teaching units and with a review of the new teaching plan in agribusiness.

 

 

Contribution to the efficient use of the infrastructure
The main problem for many vocational schools in Kosovo is that there are only limited facilities available for the implementation of practical teaching units. The infrastructure of the Abdyl Frasheri School will be upgraded under the supervision of swisscontact. The plan is for the BUAS experts to have some input into the efficient use of this infrastructure, thereby enabling graduates of the school to contribute to the strengthening of the food industry in Kosovo through an education that is as practically oriented as possible.

 

Further information:

BUAS International Relations Office

Swiss College of Agriculture SHL: Research & Consulting Services