Activity at the University of Tirana/Manastirliu: Triplication of funds for scientific research

2025-04-24 11:25:00, Politikë CNA

Activity at the University of Tirana/Manastirliu: Triplication of funds for

The Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu, participated in the "Open Day" and Job Fair organized at the Faculty of Natural Sciences to promote the activity and build sustainable bridges of cooperation between students and the private sector.

At this event, 41 business companies presented their opportunities for youth employment, cooperation in scientific projects and support through scholarships for students. Students had the opportunity to establish direct contacts with business representatives, taking the first steps towards the job market. Meanwhile, attention was also focused on high school graduates, who were closely acquainted with the academic programs offered by the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

During her speech, the Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu, emphasized the strategic importance of updating the academic offer, strengthening scientific research, and closer connection of universities with the labor market.

"Today, in this job fair, but also to encourage applications to the Faculty of Natural Sciences, in addition to graduates from various schools, businesses also participate. It has now become a beautiful tradition to promote these important instruments where not only information is exchanged but also important bridges of cooperation between higher education institutions and business, as well as with the pre-university system, are built," said Manastirliu.

Manastirliu emphasized the adaptation of universities to modern developments and the needs of the labor market.

"For us as the Minister of Education and Sports, it is a strategic priority to reorganize study programs in order to adapt to new models and, above all, to adapt to the labor market, which evolves, develops and needs to be supplied with appropriate human resources that respond precisely to the challenges of the time," said Manastirliu.

The Minister also highlighted the continued investments in scientific research and the faculty's laboratory infrastructure.

"With the opening of new programs such as pharmaceutical chemistry or physics and computer science, we have immediately had increased demands from graduates to join these branches, while we continue to invest in the laboratory base to provide even more support for scientific research," said Manastirliu.

Minister Manastirliu also focused on concrete steps to strengthen the research capacities of universities and their direct connection with the market and the private sector.

"We have tripled scientific research funds. For 2025, we are preparing to launch new projects that have already passed the evaluation phase by all universities in cooperation with business. There are over 20 projects in cooperation with business and higher education institutions that are ready to be approved. In total, there are 130 projects of scientific research infrastructure, projects of studies for scientific research and cooperation with business", said Manastirliu.

Minister Manastirliu also focused on sustainable policies for student support, where more than 350 students currently benefit from scholarships in the amount of the minimum wage, financed by the Albanian government, to pursue priority programs as well as excellent students. In total, the Minister added, there are about 50 thousand students supported by the government through scholarships for academic achievements, fee reductions or zero fees for pursuing studies. /CNA