Following the positive results of the last three editions of CIHEAM Bari Master's Programme in ‘Open Innovation and Youth Entrepreneurship in Mediterranean Agri-Food Systems’, with more than 40 participants from 15 countries, the idea of launching a joint Master's Degree in Albania - a member country of CIHEAM - on the same innovative theme was presented to the Rector of the Agricultural University of Tirana, Fatbardh Sallaku, by a delegation that included CIHEAM Secretary General Teodoro Miano, the coordinator of CIHEAM Bari Master’s Programme and head of the Innovation Ecosystem and Youth Entrepreneurship area, Damiano Petruzzella, the head of the Education Office, Olimpia Antonelli, and the representatives of the University of Bari, Alessandro Rubino, Rector's Delegate for Internationalisation, and Maria De Angelis, Director of Di. S.S.P.A.The exchange focused on the pathway towards the implementation of the Master’s Degree and the definition of the first steps of this ambitious initiative aimed at attracting participants from Albania and other Western Balkan countries.  

The students are expected to study together and face the challenges of Albanian private sector companies.  They will receive a co-delivered international Master's Degree.  The main objective of the programme is to train innovation managers in the agri-food sector.