Forests are a separate living space, they help establish the ecological balance and, at the same time, provide the human population with a basic source of recuperation, as well as numerous benefits intangible. Sustainable development is not possible without forestry professionals. Almost 60% of Kosovo’s territory is covered by forests, which is not so common in Europe and is an excellent opportunity for development, since scarce natural resources and to their sustainable management. The study program qualifies students to work in forest ecosystems in accordance with modern principles close to nature, and sustainable management. Such a scheme requires the connection between environmental, economic and technical sciences. It requires knowledge of forest ecosystems, social aspects of forest management, different techniques and technologies used in forest management and familiarity with modern methodological tools. One advantage of the study program is specifically on individual practice and work environment.
University Ukshin Hoti in Prizren has the necessary basis for the drafting and implementation of this study program, because the advantage of this proposed curriculum for accreditation, based on the trends of contemporary development in the field of science of forest, while the geographical position of region Prizren is close to National Park “Malet e Sharrit” makes this program even easier to implement in practice on the one hand, while on the other hand is also special program study because no other university in Kosovo does not offer study program Forestry Sciences.
Graduates may find employment in the public forest service enterprises, organizations of wildlife management and nature protection, economic organizations and schools (secondary and higher education). More and more opportunities are provided by self-employment – independent entrepreneur (initial processing of wood, creating forests, timber trading, fruit trees, ornamental wood production, ecotourism, private consulting agencies in forestry, biological engineering, spatial planning management of mountain areas). Due to large forest areas and their importance in Kosovo, the demand for forest professionals in administration, and governmental and non-governmental organizations dealing with the protection of nature, is growing.
A significant number of graduates can be employed in private enterprise, such as greenhouses for commercial production (production of fruit and ornamental plants), but also in laboratories relevant to the area.
Expectations of teaching outcomes
Upon completing of this program students will be able to:
- Carry out the activities of a forest officer, or professional associate in all forest activities;
- Work on conducting forest inventory and participate in the implementation of the forest management program;
- Perform all professional field work on sustainable forest care, revitalization and maintenance;
- Become familiar with the mechanical equipment, techniques and standard technologies applied in forestry – mainly in the extraction of trees from natural forests, forest crops and plantations.
- Perform professional work on forest improvement and planning in Kosovo, but also to protect forests against abiotic and biotic factors, especially against forest fires.
- Understand and develop professional activities of implementing wildlife and plant management programs, organizing basic hunting.
- Become familiar with the techniques and technologies of forest road construction, the sale of timber assortments, the organization of forestry production, and occupational health and safety in forestry.
- Qualify to perform individual work in private enterprises as a forest inspector, or to be involved in teamwork in relation to all other duties in forestry, nature and environmental protection.
- Be prepared to continue their professional development and be trained to pursue master studies.
Our main goal is to provide students with study tours at partner universities and especially at the University of Ljubljana, Polytechnic University of Ancona and the Agricultural University of Tirana as we also have cooperation agreements with these universities for this study profile.
Students will also have opportunities for practical study visits to the Ministry of Agriculture, Kosovo Forestry Agency, National Parks Directorates, Municipalities, NGO “FINCH”, and in coordination with the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), the business community, NGOs, government institutions, civil society, students will have opportunities for professional practice, employment, joint projects, training consulting services etc.
In the future it is expected that in collaboration with teachers and with their works, they will participate in various conferences and will publish their works in national and international scientific journals.
The teachers of the program Forest and Environmental Sciences, individually, conduct various scientific research in their fields of study, that is, in the field of forestry. These studies mainly aim the achieving and presenting scientific results from their fields of study which are occasionally presented at conferences and other scientific meetings at home and abroad.
