Rama was speaking at the presentation of five finalist proposals in an international competition for the design of the new university campus, a project he described as one of Albania’s most ambitious higher-education investments.

The government head said the development was intended to create more than a traditional academic complex, allowing students to live, study and socialize in a single integrated environment.

“We want this territory to become a student community centre that is active 24 hours a day,” Rama said, adding that the campus would help foster both academic and social development.

A key element of the project is the creation of residential facilities for students, an issue Rama said remains a challenge despite investments made in student dormitories in recent years. While university accommodation capacity has expanded, many students continue to rely on rented apartments, placing additional financial pressure on their families.

According to the Prime Minister, the new residential zone would offer more affordable housing options while creating opportunities for greater interaction among students and a stronger campus community.

Rama linked the project to reforms launched after the nationwide student protests of 2018, which led the government to adopt the University Pact and introduce a series of measures aimed at improving conditions in higher education, including investments in dormitories and university infrastructure.

Rama also highlighted the role of international architectural competitions in Albania’s urban development strategy, saying cooperation between leading foreign design firms and Albanian architects had helped raise professional standards and create opportunities for knowledge transfer.

He said the competition for the Durrës campus formed part of a broader effort to modernise educational and urban infrastructure through international expertise and innovative design.

The new campus is expected to become a central component of the university’s future development, although the winning proposal from the international competition has not yet been announced.

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The Minister of Health and Social Protection, Albana Koçiu, the Mayor of Patos, Fation Duro, the Ambassador of Switzerland, Ruth Huber, the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania, Fiona McCluney, as well as the UNDP representative Randi Davis attended the inauguration ceremony of the centre.

The center is established by UNDP in the context of the Swiss Development Cooperation -funded jointly by the UN Albania programme “Leave No one behind”.

Health Minister said that the new community centre in Patos was rehabilitated and became operational through cooperation between local and central governments with the international partners and organizations.

“The centre will provide specialized care to children with disabilities from three to 18 years old, including rehabilitation and development therapies, as well as other vulnerable groups,” she said.

The center aligns with Albania’s social care reforms and is part of UNDP’s broader efforts to support municipalities in delivering social services. With UNDP support, Patos developed a Social Care Plan reflecting a shared vision for accessible, community-based support.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Albania, Fiona McCluney, said: “The Community Center in Patos is proof of our commitment to strengthening social care systems. This center not only provides critical services, but also empowers local communities to address the needs of their most vulnerable members.”

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