As part of the project ‘Determining Tourism Carrying Capacities in Natural, Cultural, and Social Landscapes,’ the Temporary Geographic Research Unit at the Academy of Sciences convened an introductory meeting to detail the project’s core objectives, methodology, and implementation phases.

Project leader Prof. Dr. Perikli Qirjazi stressed the need for sustainable tourism land-use limits, ensuring that tourist growth doesn’t threaten environmental stability, cultural heritage, or community welfare.

To provide a scientific basis for land management, the study will analyze tourism’s impact on ecosystems, water resources, air quality, and natural habitats.

A significant component of the project involves the use of new technologies. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Edmond Hoxha presented the research methodology and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drones and digital instruments for data collection and processing.

During the meeting, there was also highlighted the importance of inter-institutional cooperation. Prof. Dr. Enika Abazi, Director of the Center for Scientific Research and Project Coordination and Danjel Pirushi, Director of the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation, emphasized the importance of a structured scientific study for areas facing high tourist volumes.

The project entails fieldwork, data collection and processing, report drafting and the use of findings to support policy-making and decision-making in the fields of tourism and territorial management.

The interdisciplinary Ksamil-Butrint model aims to provide new data and methods for assessing tourist load and maintaining a balance between tourism development and the preservation of the area’s natural and cultural assets. /p.s./

Embracing the symposium’s focus—When the Land Speaks with Names: Anthropological and Linguistic Traces—the Head of State delivered opening remarks that praised the scholarly efforts of the field. He emphasized that this research holds profound significance as Albania navigates its critical path toward European integration.

“Albania is joining the European Union without leaving its identity behind; instead, it brings it as an added value. Europe isn’t about erasing national cultures; it’s built on their coexistence. In this mosaic of languages and traditions, the Albanian identity becomes a natural and valuable asset to the history of the continent”, said Begaj.

President commended the studies for proving Albania’s historical and cultural ties to Europe and the Mediterranean. He also praised the research for mapping these cultural histories across the wider region, the diaspora, and the Arbëresh and Arvanite communities.

President concluded by calling on academics to bridge the gap between science, schools, communities, and the diaspora. As he noted: ‘When the land speaks in names, it tells us of our past, but it also challenges us to build a better future. /gj.m/r.e/a.f/p.s./

The announcement was made during an information event attended by Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro, university rectors, and leaders of national and international research programmes.

Kumbaro said the state budget fund of 7 million euros aims to strengthen scientific research, noting that the focus is not only on funding levels but also on ensuring the research ecosystem can effectively absorb resources and deliver tangible results.

She added that while much scientific research produces data, the value depends on whether communication bridges exist between policymakers and researchers. “Universities must support their researchers,” she said, highlighting the event’s role in promoting funding opportunities from AKKShI and the Ministry of Education.

Rector of the University of Medicine, Tirana, Xheladin Draçini, praised the calls as a key instrument for the sustainable development of higher education and the advancement of scientific knowledge. He highlighted a recently funded project to upgrade laboratory infrastructure at the university’s Faculty of Pharmacy, which he said represents an important step toward modernising university laboratories, expanding research capacities, and improving conditions for contemporary pharmaceutical research.

Draçini added that the project strengthens material research capacity and opens new opportunities for inter-institutional and international collaboration, helping bring the university closer to European research and innovation standards.

AKKShI said the open calls cover research and development projects, technology and innovation initiatives, and research infrastructure projects, giving universities, research units, and individual researchers the opportunity to plan and implement future projects under national and international programmes.

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The regional forum focused on research infrastructures and artificial intelligence (AI), and included ministers from Western Balkan countries and European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva.

In her remarks, Kumbaro highlighted Albania’s progress in scaling up innovation funding and integrating artificial intelligence into the national education system – including at the pre-university level – to create a sustainable AI pipeline supporting science and education.

“We are doubling investments in research infrastructure, increasing support for PhD studies in priority fields, and launching collaborations with the academic diaspora,” Kumbaro said.

“Our goal is to transform Albanian universities into regional development hubs – not just training students but generating new knowledge and offering solutions for industry and policymaking.”

In a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Zaharieva, Kumbaro outlined Albania’s strategic priorities, including scientific quality, AI integration, internationalization of universities, and academic diaspora engagement.

Kumbaro also held talks with Montenegrin Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Andjela Jaksic-Stojanovic.

The two counterparts discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in higher education, research, and innovation, including the implementation of existing agreements and opportunities to expand cross-border projects in academic mobility, vocational education, and scientific research.

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Attending the congress were experts from 34 countries around the world.

According to Koçiu, this initiative puts Albania on the international map of scientific research and cooperation.

“Proud of the contribution of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in strengthening the University of Medicine through important partnerships, such as the latest one with the “San Donato” group and the “Vita Salute-San Raffaele” University in Milan”, said Koçiu, while emphasizing that technology and scientific research are essential for a more advanced healthcare system closer to the citizen. /j.p/p.s./

These projects will support priority areas such as Biodiversity and Environment, Agriculture, Food and Biotechnology, Health and Medical Sciences, Information Systems and Technologies, Social Sciences and Albanology as well as Water and Energy.

At the event organized to announce the call, the representatives of academic and research institutions shared the challenges and opportunities for the development of scientific research and innovation in the country. The discussions focused on the significance of international partnerships, support for PhD studies and development of new programs for researchers.

Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu emphasized that these projects promote cooperation not only between universities in Albania, but also with business and international institutions.

Manastirliu finally highlighted the increased budgets for scientific research and innovation as an important step for the development of knowledge and the creation of new opportunities for Albanian researchers at the national and international level.

“Funds for scientific research have increased. The budget for scientific research and innovation amounts to 1.5 billion Lekë per year”, said Manastirliu. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Manastirliu told the Assembly that, “This draft law is a reflection of the rapid national and international developments in the field of science, the ongoing demands of the scientific community, the increase of the number of actors participating in the scientific research system, the mission that has science at the service of humanity and also to align with European legislation as part of the fulfillment of Chapter 25 of the negotiations on science and scientific research within the EU integration process”.

“Today, as we speak, the second nanoBalkan Conference is taking place in Tirana. Over 250 scientists and researchers from different countries of the world have gathered to discuss the latest achievements in the field of nanoscience, nanotechnology, which is finding application in every field of life from disease diagnosis, safety and environmental protection and other fields. This is a proof of the healthy climate that has been created in Albania in the field of scientific research thanks to government support and cooperative policies”, Manastirliu emphasized.

Undoubtedly, the minister continued, “One of the main factors is the increase in budgets for the promotion of scientific research. Hence, we have increased five-fold the budget for scientific research”.

“Thus, through the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation for 2024, there have been supported 130 scientific research and scientific infrastructure projects from 56 projects in 2021. This implies that we have significantly increased not only investment projects in scientific researchers’ laboratories, but more researchers, lecturers, and students are engaged in these projects”, Manastirliu underlined.

Minister Manastirliu said that, “Out of 280 researchers or lecturers engaged in 2021, there are 600 participants in 2024. We have expanded the scope of action by increasing the number of national scientific research programs, from 3 programs to 8 programs this year”.

“We have also advanced significantly in the internationalization process for scientific research by becoming active participants in international initiatives and programs in the field of scientific research such as CERN, the European Center for Nuclear Research, Geneva, Switzerland, CEPUS, etc.,” said the minister. /p.s./

The Albanian Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation delegation focused on culture and cultural heritage, discussing initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting national cultural assets, as well as increasing the mobility of artists and cultural professionals.

The Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja announced that programs like Creative Europe were highlighted as successful examples for increasing cross-border cooperation and for strengthening the creative and cultural industries in the region, saying the 2025-2027 programme will offer many opportunities for Albanian artists and organizations.

The Albanian delegation also met with the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in Kosovo, Nora Arapi Krasniqi, to discuss many activities and collaborations due to be held in  the framework of the Kosovo Cultural Week.

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The Ministry of Education and Sports and the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation organized the forum today so that promote, guide and develop scientific research in universities.

This forum reflected the achievements, priorities and challenges for the internationalization of universities through programs while funding support from the Albanian government for the development of academic and scientific thought.

In her speech, Manastirliu highlighted the significance of scientific research and funding in Higher Education Institutions.

“During the year 2023, the government has financed 90 scientific research projects and 17 academic infrastructure projects. As a whole, the budget for scientific research in the last 5 years has increased by 30%”, said Minister Manastirliu.

The Minister of Education and Sports also expressed the commitment to support universities in relation to businesses, for the creation of a joint program aimed at cooperation between academic staff and business in the field of scientific research, to give the best to the sectors of the economy .

Albania has also the associate status in the “Horizon Europe” program of the EU, which enables international cooperation in the field of research and innovation.

Manastirliu emphasized that projects of higher education institutions have taken 42% of the “Horizon Europe” budget. Also, the scientific research system has been modernized in accordance with the basic principles of the European Research Area.

In this context, the Ministry of Education and Sports has recently approved the most important scientific research policy document, the “National Strategy of Scientific Research, Technology and Innovation”.

This document defines the policies, vision, goals and strategic objectives for the period 2023-2030.

“This National Strategy will be a guide for all of us to advance scientific research”, said the minister./m.m/r.e/p.s./

Manastirliu emphasized that a common strategy for supporting excellence students, increasing funding through grants based on performance and scientific research projects, would boost the performance of universities and will influence the periodic evaluations of national and international evaluations.

She put the emphasis on the engagement of students in scientific research as well as the continuous support for raising academic capacities in the direction of applied science.

“We want to have a genuine support scheme for priority programs by having criteria and building a strategy, which will give us a clear overview of the need we have for priority programs, support through scholarships that we give to excellent students and for students who choose priority programs”, said the minister.

Director of the HEFA Artan Spahiu presented a general overview of the Agency, as one of the newest agencies created under the Ministry of Education, underlining as its main task the distribution of public funds to support the activity of public higher education institutions as well as the support of students with scholarships according to the legal and sub-legal framework in force./m.m/p.s./