The National HERE Seminar on ‘Transforming Albanian HEIs into a Destination for International Students Towards a strategic agenda for internationalization of Albanian Higher Education’, was held at Faculty of Foreign Languages premises (Tirana University), on 5-6 November 2024.
On 5-6 of November 2024, the Albanian Erasmus+ Office in cooperation with HERE team Albania jointly organized national HERE seminar titled: “Transforming Albanian Higher Education Institutions into a Destination for International Students”, held at the Faculty of Foreign Languages premises, Tirana University. The meeting was attended by representatives from several public and private universities, including vice-rectors, deans, and representatives of international relations offices.
The seminar was also attended by the EU Delegation to Albania and representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports (MAS).
Mr. Jan Hupkens, the SPHERE expert, shared his valuable expertise with the participants during two days of seminar.
The key outcomes of the seminar regarding policy measures that Albanian universities aim to address at the national level include:
- Development of a unified “Study in Albania” branding strategy to attract international students and researchers. This strategy will be based on an appealing proposition that highlights hospitality, affordability, cultural and natural heritage, and specific disciplinary expertise;
- Designation of a contact point within the responsible ministry to assist universities with issues related to visa applications for students and staff. This will complement efforts to streamline existing digital visa procedures;
- Exploration of a national strategy or action plan for internationalization, as part of a new higher education strategy. This would be based on quantitative and qualitative indicators developed in consultation with Albanian university rectors and presidents;
- Granting more autonomy to Albanian universities to organize admissions procedures for international students at the institutional level, ensuring better alignment between applicants and university profiles;
- Improvement of the digital infrastructure of Albanian universities;
These measures, in addition to efforts by the universities themselves, require initiatives such as:
- Organizing academic programs in English for specific groups;
- Launching summer schools for international students and staff;
- Increased investment in the professionalization of support staff working with international students;
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Enhancements in communication to improve the “internationalization of life on campus”.
At the municipal level, attention is recommended for ensuring affordable accommodation for students.
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