On 14 and 15 July 2025, in Sveti Nikola, the second international transnational two-day project meeting was held between the Association of Agricultural and Veterinary Schools Terra Fiton – Animal, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia and the Association of Schools in the Field of Agriculture, Food Production and Processing from Serbia.
At the beginning of the meeting, the objectives, expected results, challenges, planned activities, administrative and financial aspects were discussed.
The meeting included a project plan and activities.
Activities 1.2 and 1.3, which relate to research for updating the existing vocational education and training curriculum, as well as the update itself, were implemented. The research justified the need to include modules on sustainable agricultural practices, precision agriculture, renewable energy sources in agriculture and the use of technology in crop and soil management in curricula.
Activity 1.4 should ensure the improvement of the skills of educators in vocational education and training through project-based learning methodologies. This training will be held in August 2025. The tasks that the training participants will receive have also been defined. Within the framework of this activity, although the development of a manual is not planned, it was concluded that a professional manual should be developed, which will primarily be used by agricultural experts – nutrition schools, companies in which practical educational teaching is implemented, all employees and the entire socio-economic community.
This training will be followed by a teacher training course on project-based learning. The aim of the training is to provide teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to implement project-based learning in the classroom. By training educators in project-based learning, this activity ensures that teaching staff are well-equipped to deliver updated curricula in a way that is not only engaging but also reflects real-world agricultural practices. This practical, student-centered approach to learning is expected to significantly improve the quality of education and student outcomes.
At the coordination meeting, it was announced that the training will be organized from 01 to 05 October 2025 (5 working days) at the Mayberry Highway Hotel, Sveti Nikole. The training will be attended by 10 teachers from secondary agricultural schools from Serbia and North Macedonia.
At the beginning of the second working day, 15.07.2025., the project activity leaders, Mr. Igor Nikolov and Mr. Branko Rajčić presented an overview of the planned steps for improving the skills of VET educators through project-based learning through the implementation of several developed methodologies. In addition, the working group elaborated and highlighted issues related to project management and reporting documentation.
The project monitoring activities, the timeframe, the method of monitoring and evaluating the quality and activities of the project, as well as its results, are also reviewed.
It was also decided at the meeting to prepare additional dissemination activities, a website and a profile on the social network Facebook were created. It was stated at the meeting that this activity is being implemented by the Macedonian side.
At the end of this two-day transnational project meeting, certificates for participation in this event were awarded.