The laboratory of the Faculty of Food Technology and Nutrition of the University of Tetova today was supplied with new laboratory equipment in the amount of 200 thousand euros. These funds are funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy through the Rural Development Program 2021.

On this occasion in the presentation of laboratory equipment was also present the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Arijanit Hoxha. He was initially received in a meeting by the Vice-Rector for International Relations of UT, Prof. Dr. Shefik Shehu, Dean of the Faculty of Food Technology and Nutrition Prof. Dr. Xhezahir Idrizi and the Vice-Dean for education of this faculty Prof. Dr. Xhabir Abdullahi. The parties discussed many topics of common interest between our two institutions and the possibilities of future cooperation with concrete projects which would help not only the agricultural sector but also the students of the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Food Technology and Nutrition whether in the professional aspect or even that of scientific research.

After the meeting, they jointly visited the laboratory of the Faculty of Food Technology and Nutrition. Vice-Rector for International Relation of UT Prof. Dr. Shefik Shehu thanked the Government of Macedonia and Minister Arijanit Hoxha for the support they have given to this important project for our university. “We as a University express our gratitude to the Government of the country and Minister Hoxha for the support they have given to the University of Tetova continuously. We can say with great pride that we are on the side of other institutions of higher education in the country and the region for the progress of the process not only didactic – educational, but also the practical part here at the Faculty of Food Technology and Nutrition, which in fact this beginning of the academic year enables our students to take a closer look and make the practical part now more tangible with highly advanced contemporary laboratory equipment. What makes us prouder is the fact that the University of Tetova is now in the lead to provide services to other processing capacities of the business community outside the University of Tetova. It is good news, we are grateful, and we hope that UT through this laboratory but also other laboratories that are in the process of recovery and upgrading their capacity, to position us both in the academic space but also in that of our social contribution”, – said Prof. Dr. Shefik Shehu.

While the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Arijanit Hoxha said that this laboratory equipment which are allocated to this laboratory in addition to helping the academic community in processing analyzes and various laboratory results, will be a great help to the community of business and farmers of Polog in general. “Today we are here in the laboratory of the Faculty of Food Technology to see the assistance that the Ministry of Agriculture through the Agency for Financial Support has provided to FFTN within the project to support four universities, normally it is about equipment that are complementary parts of the existing laboratory, which will help the university but will also help businesses and farmers to be able to receive information from laboratory results in a timely manner accurately and with detailed information normally after the accreditation process. It is about an aid of about 200 thousand euros from the financial support of rural development. Normally this is just the beginning of the support we give as a ministry for the science part. There can be no development of agriculture or other branches without facts and arguments contained in science. For me it is especially a special pleasure that this happens here at UT after many years and I wish and hope that it will not be the only project, but in conversation with the leadership of the University we can develop other projects which will be in service of students, science and normally agriculture as a special and very important branch for the development of the economy in the country”, – said the Minister Arijanit Hoxha.

It should be noted that a special contribution to the implementation of the above project has been given by its leader, Prof. Dr. Ismail Ferati, lecturer at FFTN at the University of Tetova.

The Laboratory of Food Technology and Nutrition of the University of Tetova with these devices will provide scientific-professional services for academic staff, researchers, farmers, and ranchers in the Polog region and beyond.