Today, the newest campus of the National University of Distance Education (UNED) was officially opened in Gjirokastër. UNED is a model public institution that offers the best Spanish and European experience.
Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Education and Sports; Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Tourism and Environment; Prof. Ricardo Mairal Usón, Rector of UNED; Alvaro Renedo Zalba, Spanish Ambassador in Tirana; Flamur Golemi, Mayor of Gjirokastër; staff members of “Eqrem Çabej” University; and students and youth of the university were present at the inauguration ceremony.
This campus marks the introduction of a new educational standard in Albania, which Minister Manastirliu called a historic milestone for the country’s higher education system.
“The National University of Distance Education (UNED) of Spain presents a new academic offer here in Gjirokastër, bringing with it nearly 50 years of experience in distance learning, using the best teaching strategies and technologies available. “This exceptional opportunity, the first of its kind in Albania, represents a major step forward in the internationalization of our academic offerings, thus improving the standard of higher education in Albania,” said Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Education and Sports.
In addition, Minister Manastirliu spoke about the current initiatives to internationalize Albanian universities.
“Our goal when we started the Internationalization of Higher Education Program was to get our universities to cooperate with other prestigious universities to create dual degrees or joint programs. From that point, we moved quickly to open campuses for prestigious universities in Albania, including the College of Europe and UNED. In partnership with the University of Technology of Compiegne, one of the most prestigious universities in France, we will soon open a campus at the Polytechnic University of Tirana. We are also in the process of bringing programs from Istanbul Technical University to Albania. These actions are in line with our goal of bringing Europe to Albania by improving Albania’s higher education opportunities and bringing them up to European standards,” Manastirliu said.
At today’s ceremony, “Eqrem Çabej” University and UNED signed a partnership agreement to increase academic exchanges and adapt the university’s curriculum to meet the needs of the labor market and tourism industry in Gjirokastër, a city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a rare opportunity for Albanian students to receive high quality distance education that will raise their academic standards and prepare them for the challenges of the global job market.
The campus will be open for the 2024-2025 academic year, and students from Albania and the surrounding region can register online for new programs regardless of location until November 5.
Students will have the opportunity to enroll in UNED-sponsored programs at this campus, which will be prepared to international standards and offer scholarships thanks to a partnership with the Albanian-American Development Foundation.