During the event for the launch of the 2030 Higher Education Policy Document, which was also attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Hoxha stated that the main goal is to provide assurance for the future of higher education and to address all the challenges that society and educational institutions face.

Hoxha spoke about the integration of higher education institutions and the development of scientific research. According to him, there is a high level of interest from higher education institutions in the EU, as well as from other countries, seeking to collaborate with Albanian higher education institutions.

“All Higher Education Institutions are better integrated into EU projects, better integrated into projects funded by the Albanian government, and better perceived in the internationalization of programs in foreign languages, as well as in joint study programs with foreign financial institutions,” said Hoxha.

According to him, today Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have a different portfolio compared to the one they had years ago.

“We have focused on research-scientific activity and innovation, trying to make the most of the EU funds. In previous years, our institutions couldn’t even absorb the funds provided by the state for participation in the EU program to develop education and culture, which was one of the major flaws in higher education. It only relied on the state budget, struggling to survive with scarce funding,” stated Hoxha.

Hoxha mentioned, “The University of Tirana is now one of seven universities that have been awarded a project to develop joint research programs, specifically in data-driven science, with the project worth eight million euros. What once seemed like a large sum now fits within the standard model of joint funding for us.”

He continued, saying that Albania is now on an irreversible path to the EU, and the gateway to this community is education, youth, and the guarantee we must provide for what lies ahead, as well as for all the challenges that society and educational institutions face.

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