A ceremonial signing was held in Tirana for the re-accession of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) to CASEE (CASEE – the ICA Regional Network for Central and South Eastern Europe), an international organization bringing together life sciences universities across Central and South Eastern Europe. The agreement was signed by Prof. Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, Rector of MATE, and Prof. Dr. Florin Stănică, President of CASEE, in the presence of Martina Kasnyik, Hungary’s Ambassador to Albania.

Prior to the signing, the Rector of MATE presented the university’s international strategy in a lecture, highlighting the strengthening of regional cooperation and the importance of joint research and educational initiatives in the field of life sciences. The re-accession to CASEE marks an important milestone in MATE’s deliberate efforts to build international and regional partnerships.

In parallel with the CASEE agreement, a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding was also ceremonially signed between MATE and its Albanian partner institution in agricultural higher education, the Agricultural University of Tirana. The agreement was officially endorsed by the rectors of both universities. On the occasion of the signing, Prof. Dr. Fatbardh Sallaku, Rector of the Albanian Agricultural University, emphasized the importance of a long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation between the institutions, with particular focus on supporting young researchers and jointly addressing regional challenges in agriculture and food security.

The aim of the cooperation is to expand student and staff mobility, deepen joint research and educational projects related to climate change, and strengthen professional partnerships in the fields of food security and sustainable agriculture. The parties intend for the agreement to contribute to increasing the number of joint projects, enhancing knowledge transfer, and establishing long-term, institutionalized cooperation.

The newly signed documents open new horizons in Hungarian–Albanian agricultural higher education relations and further strengthen MATE’s position within the international network of life sciences higher education institutions in Central and South Eastern Europe.