Kumbaro wrote in a post in the social media that, “The partnership between the University of Compiègne (UTC) and the Polytechnic University of Tirana (UPT) is assuming concrete and long-term shape not only in studies, but also in the creation of startup incubators”.

Kumbaro stated that, “Thanks to the agreement between the two governments and the joint work of the teams of the Ministry of Education, the French Embassy, ​​UPT and UTC, in Albania there is already created a joint campus with the headquarters of the University of Compiègne”.

“This campus provides Albanian students with the opportunity to pursue bachelor, master and doctoral programs in Computer Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, with joint lectures by French and Albanian professors, to benefit from academic mobility in both universities and to graduate with two valid diplomas recognized by both countries in Albania and France”, underlined Kumbaro.

Minister Kumbaro stated that, “The internationalization of Higher Education is one of the priorities of the current government mandate in education, which we aim to expand in priority areas of development”.

The opening of the Campus of the University of Technology of Compiègne of France at UPT is one of the greatest achievements in Albanian higher education. One program has been opened at UPT, a Bachelor in Computer Engineering and one in Electronic Systems. Teaching takes place at UPT with Albanian and French professors. At the end, the students will receive two diplomas, one from UPT and a French diploma from UTC. While in the third year, there has been opened a new Bachelor’s program in Mechatronics Engineering. The novelty of these double degrees is that the teaching takes place in Albania. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

ENIC-NARIC is the official European network for recognizing foreign diploma and qualifications.

Addressing the event, the Minister of Education and Sports Ogerta Manastirliu highlighted the Albanian government’s commitment to reforming higher education and stronger ties with European academic systems.

Manastirliu highlighted ongoing efforts to profile universities based on national and regional priorities and expand international cooperation.

“We are implementing a far-reaching reform aimed at profiling the higher education institutions based on national and regional priorities and expand international cooperation. Albanian higher education institutions offer over 40 joint programs with institutions in Italy, France, Greece, Poland, and Türkiye,” Manastirliu said, adding “these partnerships enhance academic offerings and make Albanian degrees more competitive in the European job market.”

She stressed that education is key to development and EU integration, and reaffirmed Albania’s full support for cooperation with international networks like ENIC-NARIC.

The three-day event is taking place at the University of Arts and Polytechnic University of Tirana. It marks the first time Albania hosts this major international education forum.

ENIC-NARIC includes two networks, namely ENIC (European Network of Information Centers), founded by the Council of Europe and UNESCO, and NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centres), founded by the European Commission.

ENIC-NARIC includes 55 countries, all EU and EHEA members, the U.S., Canada, Türkiye, Israel, and parts of Central Asia. Each country operates a national center for academic recognition.

The event is organized with the support of the Council of Europe and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports and QSHA-Center for Educational Services, the Albanian ENIC-NARIC.

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