PROJECT No. ZZ-95.20 PHARE MULTI-COUNTRY PROGRAMME IN HIGHER EDUCATION RECOGNITION OF HIGHER EDUCATION DIPLOMAS AND STUDY CREDIT POINTS ACROSS BORDERS

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Primary/Second Education

Education is compulsory for a period of eight years from the age of six to fourteen. Pupils sit a school-leaving examination at the end of this period. They may then proceed to a further four years of upper secondary education at the end of which they sit the Maturity Examination.

Higher Education

Higher education was established in Albania after the Second War. It is relatively new in Albania. The first teacher training institution was founded in Tirana in 1946. The first Higher Pedagogical Institute was established in 1948 and the first university in 1957. Until the end of the 1990-91 academic year the University of Tirana was the only university in Albania consisting of 11 faculties, covering the natural sciences, medicine, social sciences and engineering. There were also seven institutes, three of them situated in Tirana, the rests in regional towns: Shkoder, Elbasan, Gjirokaster and Korçe.

In 1991, the University of Tirana was subdivided into parts:

ñ the.University of Tirana, with seven faculties;

ñ the Polytechnic University of Tirana, comprising four engineering faculties.

There have also been changes in the status of some of the institutes. The Higher Institute of Agriculture of Tirana and those institutes located in Shkoder, Elbasan, Gjirokaster and Korçe have gained university status, the institute of Fine Arts has become an Academy of Arts, while the Institute of Physical Education has preserved its old status. In 1994 the newest university was established in Vlora.

Universities and higher educational institutions

Eight universities and several specialist institutions of higher education under the authority of tbe Ministry of Education and Science provide current Higher Education. There are also two Military Higher Schools, which, however, do not come under this Ministry’s authority. All of these are public institutions and financed hy the State.

Higher Education Institution in Albania is grouped in Universities (8), Academies (2) and Higher Education Schools (1).

Higher education institutions include universities and other types educational institutions. In accordance with the Higher Education Law, universities are public institutions. We distinguish the following of higher education institution:

- higher education institution aimed at the humanities, providing education in broad fields of study such as human medicine, health care, nursing and veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, natural sciences: mathematics, physics, computer science, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, social sciences, psychology, European and non European languages and literature, media studies, history archeology and study of antiquity, law, teacher training, public administration, management economics, etc.;

- polytechnic higher education institution aimed at the branches of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, construction g, computer science (telematics and telecommunication, mining geology, environmental technology, navigation and nautical science, etc.;

- institutions oriented towards agriculture, forestry, the timber industry and agricultural industry;

- art academies providing education in theoretical, artistic fields and the field of music, dance, film and drama as well as fine arts, architecture and sculpture, etc.;

- institute of physical education provides education in physical training and sports;

- military higher schools offers particular education in special disciplines;

Administration of Higher Education

The basic characteristics of the administration of education are its further democratization and decentralization as well as a broadening of the autonomy given to the higher education establishments. A simplified administrative structure, professional qualification and expert competence, freedom of action and innovation are currently being established.

Higher Education in Albania is organized, financed, run and controlled by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), which at the proposal of the higher schooLs is responsible for opening and closing departments and scientific sectors.

Institutions of higher education have the status of a public law ones and are as a rule state institutions under the authority of the MES. They have the right of self-administration within the framework of the law. The higher education institutions draw up their statutes, which requires the approval of the MES. Within the science system, responsibility for the higher education lies with the ministries and science academy responsible for science and research.

The general principles for the organization and administration of higher education institutions and for academic and research staff, including the participation of all of members of these institutions in self administration are laid down in the Framework Act for Higher Educotion and Law on Science and Technological Development (1994). It is the basis of these principles that the organization and administration of higher education institutions are regulated in detail by legislation.

Within a unitary administrative the latters functions include both academic matters and governmental matters such as personnel, economic, budgetary and financial administration.

Curricula endorsement has traditionally been the responsibility of the relevant Ministry (on Education). Lately, the higher education institutions have been given the freedom to evaluate and approve curricula. In this context, the approval and accreditation of curricula has not defined yet as a clear procedure.

The necessity of establishing a national institution to approve and accredit every educational curricula both state and private owned. As a part of the supervision of higher education in Albania, the study regulations, which must be produced for all courses in HE, must be presented to the responsíble university senate for approval.

Access to higher education

Admission requirements

According to the Higher Education Act, the requirement for admission to the university of Higher Schools is the Albanian upper secondary school leaving certificate- a secondary school leaving certificate or an equivalent recognized certificate confirming that the student has completed secondary school education. Access to Albanian higher education is centrally controlled. The number of students to be dmitted every year is set by the Ministry of Education and Science, on the basis of indications given by the faculties, which must be ratified by Council of Minister's Decision.

Since 1991, the universities have administrated their own entrance. Admission is restricted to a "numerous clausus". At present, the MES decided to change the procedure of examination administration and in co-operation with universities is setting new standards, tests and selection procedures.

The basic entrance requirement is the Maturity Examinations but the institutions may set their own entry requirements. Since 1991 the universities have administered their own entrance examinations. Admission is restricted to a "numerous clauses". The decisions on the number of places to be offered are determined by Council of Ministers Degree. Applications are made direct to the institutions.

The entry requirements depend on the type of higher education institution as well as its speciality and could be summarized: wriften competition examinations (one or more); tests (which.differ in volume and structure); the certificate for completed secondary education ensuring access to higher education.

The higher education establishments are autonomous and are entitled to determine some additional entry requirements. Thus they may organize admission for some, specific subjects on the basis of presentation of documentary evidence/proof (diploma for completed secondary education ensuring access to higher education) or by combining this with a test or examination.

In certain subjects (e.g. design) proof of artistic ability is required to a higher education entrance qualification for universities and academies.

A ministerial degree determines the general and mandatory rules governing the admissions procedure (e.g. the date of application, the rules of transparency and legal redress, the organizational and procedural rules of evaluation).

The admission procedure for each subject are determined annually by MES and published in advance for students and Institutions of Higher Education. The admission policy during the transition period has been oriented at "market demand", meaning the distribution of students across subjects related to the current employment situation in Albania.

Students may apply for one or more faculties. The Department of Higher Education functioning under the authority of MES, supports the admissions activities of the higher education institutions.

Higher Education Programmes

The two-tire program is available for:

Teacher training in three years (for pre-school education) and in four years (for elementary and secondary education) and in five years (specialist in the field of education)- in place only recently.

TP/VE education would gave a great impact on the training of training of trainers which in turn would be successful alternative for a qualitative turning out of specialists. Backed up by an authoritative certification center, in addition, the private education sector and especially the Vocational Training System would provide resources for notable improvement in this respect.

Meantime, the trainers of training systems would supply further educational opportunities within the educational system in order to meet the standards which have an upwards trend on a country scale.

The field of medical sciences: provides two level programs: The first level with a three year duration turns out paramedics, the second level is destined for pharmacy and dentistry (5 years) and the third level (six years) destined for medicine. Starting from the curricula, destination and the standards of the training, the paramedics school is a typical example of post secondary tertiary education, even though presentty it is still carried out in two lands of higher education institutions University (in Vlora and Korca) and a separate higher education school (Tirana). ·

The engineering fields: Have traditionally offered courses of the University level (engineering diploma), but judging from their activity and part played in the production sphere, these graduates did not come above the level of a production technician. The orientation towards the market economy clearly re-affirmed this fact.

The administration and management field: In recent years, the higher education institutions, training centers or institutes have started to offer relevant course. There is not yet standardization, or some kind of certifcation that could differentiate between the levels of training in this field. Forthcoming development will work out requirement and will identify clearly the insätutions and courses suitable for turning out graduates or trainees which comply with the post secondary level.

Grading system

Assessment is based on ten-point grading system with 10 being the highest grade point. The marks 1 to 3 are not used. A grade point 4 is not sufficient to pass an examination. The grade point of at least 5 must be achieved to pass the examination. Main grading system generally used by higher education institution in Albania:

10 (dhjete): excellent·9 (nente): very good; 8 (tete): good; 7(shtate): average; 6(gjashte) satisfactory; 5(pese): lowest passing grade; 4(kater); 3(tre); 2(dy); 1(nje). Highest on scale: 10; Pass/Fail: 5/4; Lowest on scale: 1.

Curriculum, subjects, number of hours

The structure and contents of the courses of studies are s eci ied in the study regulations. They list the individual classes-including the number of hours required for successful completion of a course-in each stage of higher education (basic and oriented studies, and show which subjects are compulsory, elective and optional).

The study regulations also indicate wich certiticates are to be earned in which specific classes. Study regulations furnish guidance to the students on the one hand, white serving as a basis for planning of the curriculum in each department on the other.

The examination regulation, on the other hand, specify the standard eriod of the study requirement for entry to examinations, specific courses and examination taken, time allowed for completion of a test, and examination standards and procedures.

Presently, even in higher education, there are differences concerning curricula. There are universities that offer courses in the same areas and deliver equivalent diplomas. These differences are such that may even hinder transference of students from university to university.

Graduates as well as excellence of trainees differ from university to university. In the universities of districts (out of Tirana), differences in objectives, curricula, methods, relationship between theory and practice, duration of courses, issued certiticates and their recognition are still more obvious.

The examination regulations are dealt with in different ways: for degree programs concluded by a state examination and diploma thesis; the examinations regulations are issued by the university senate responsibte for the subject in question.

Examination regulations for academic examination are likely, like study regulations, drawn up by the HE institutions itself.

Certifcation, recognition of qualifications

Universities and equivalent institutions are authorised by law to administer academic examinations and state examinations.

The universities give the students the possibility to obtain a diploma degree equivalent with bachelor.

They provide education in vocational areas and specialisation, where the united national requirements are fulfilled. Universities can also carry out teaching to raise the level qualification. They also carry out research activities for development of basic fields of science and oriental research.

The studies in speciality end with a state examination and/or defence of a thesis. The establishment provides higher education but also issue certificates for professional qualifications recognised by the state in those cases where the training of students complies with the state requirements for the respective education degree, subject or professional qualifications.

The artistic qualifications awarded by qualifications awarded by Academy of Art are diploma and artistic qualifications on passing a final or concert examination.

The state examination has to be taken in some courses of studies that prepares students for professions of particular importance to the public interest. This is the case in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutics, food chemistry, law, social sciences, and for teaching professions. The standards for performance on state examinations correspond to those on academic examinations.

Qualification levels

Diploma: The first stage of higher education in Albania takes on average 4 to 5 years, but also 6 and 3 years (4 years with most disciplines, 4-5 in engineering, 6 years in medicine, 3 years for teaching in primary and secoadary school).

Higher Education in Albania is conducted in the form of universities de 4 6 (minimum duration of 8 semesters) and non-university degree courses (semesters).

The Albanian higher education system provides three modes of stady: full-time studies, part-time studies (correspondence) and distance-learning studies. Studies are completed with a state examination and diploma thesis.

Students who successfully complete their studies are awarded a diploma, the first academic degree in Albania, which specifies the field, duration and training. Albania's higher education institutions offer opportunities for post-university qualification and specialization studies. Completion of such studies is awarded with a certificate.

Act of the Council of Ministers, No. 351, of June 1993 and the supervision of the Commission regulate doctoral studies for Scientifc Qualifications. According to legal framework the universities and research institutions have the right to set up doctoral studies and to confer the doctor's degree.

The Commission grants this right for Scientific Qualifications, which has general supervisory authority over doctoral studies in Albania. A proposal to set up doctoral studies, which a university department is research institution submits to the Commission for Scientific qualification, should be accompanied by documents indicating the available academic staff, the financial sources and equipment, and a description of the program of doctoral studies.

A planning procedure is followed both as to the number of candidates and of specialities. The Directorate of Scientific Research in the Ministry of Education and Science, in collaboration with the universities and research institutions concerned, makes up the plan wich annually specifies the field of doctoral studies and the number of places available in each of them.

The University of Tirana, the Polytechnic University of Tirana and the Agricultural University of Tirana offer courses for candidates seeking a Doctor of Sciences Degree.

Professional/vocational education

The Albanian education system does not as yet have a sector of tertiary professional/vocational (TP/VE). Even with the reforms undertaken so far professional education has concentrated on the secondary level which has created a vacuum both in basic obligatory education and in the post secondary professional education.

Presently, there is growing awareness among technical and even among political circles for widening the spectrum of professional education. In this context, the situation is getting conducive to a broad consensus on the necessity for the creation and solidification of the TP/VE. '

The main targets of the policy are supposed to be multiple in order to offer more educational chances (to respond to the needs of growing number of students who have no other choices). and also to better react to the demands of the new labor market (preparation through shorter-term programs, slronger professional orientation, greater tlexibility, anticipation or timely addressiag of the developing botti in privatë añd-state sector.

Presently, TP/VE as mentioned above, exists as part of higher education, and in the conditions of absence of legislation on every relevant issue, it is possible to distinguish it from university education through sub legal acts, which can be drafted, based on the existing law. In the event of the formulation of a specific law on the entire education system and professional training at every level, the tegal grounds would be laid for the organization, governing, funding, supervision and staff training, curricula approval, diptoma award and every other issue.

As already mentioned, TP/VE in embryonic form exist within higher education: they do not stand for specific institutions, and are not even identified with higher education courses.

Differentiation of TP/VE from higher education (both in curricula and instItutions) is necessary and feasible as well. To begin with, differentiation can start with the selection of areas (medicine, en·-gineering, administration, hotel management, etc.); structures (separate department), content (of the course and its duration), diploma (delivered certificate), admission conditions and numerous clauses.

Institutionalization of TP/VE outside higher educatioa is as much desirable as it feasible. This would address the needs for training and education of those who have finished a secondary professional school. Development.in this direction in the private is not excluded either.

TP/VE, as a new link in the Albanian education system starting from conception, organization, structuring, functioning, evaluation and perfection-shall aim to fultfill the real needs, both present and future, of the labor market. As such, relations to the labor market and the role of social partners in TP/VE shall be among the essential factors for the development and consolidation of this special link.

The school year is divided up under the authority of the higher-education institutions. The academic year starts on October and ends at the mid of July. The academic year is divided into semesters. At universities, the summer semester runs from March to July, the winter semester from October to February.

Lecturers in the winter semester are usually held from early October until late February at institutes of higher education. In the summer semester, lectures take place from mid/late March until early June. A period of three months without lectures at higher education institutions allows students time for private study, as well as time to prepare for classes, complete essays or take part in practical work experience and sit examinations. In late Juty, August and early September, there is summer vocation.

The required number of hours of classes during the semester is laid down in the higher education institution regulations or orders (Faculty Regulation for Teaching Activity) in the form of hours of weekly attendance during a whole semester (Teaching Plan of Department/Faculty) for the individual subjects.

A course with standard study period of 9 semesters will entail a workload of 26- 30.hours of weekly attendance (208-240 hours of weekly attendance x 8 semesters of instruction). This figure may be exceeded in courses involving a higher number of practical. These times, known as, "attendance periods" are however only one required completing a course of study. In addition, the student has to spend a considerable amount of time on private study, preparing for the individual classes, reviewing those classes, or addressing additional topic areas that are not offered in courses.

Duration of studies

A standard period of study is fixed in the Faculty Regulation for Teaching Activity and Examination Regulation for each course of studies. The regulations state the time in which a course of studies with the intended examination can be completed. Eight to ten semesters are laid down for most courses of university study. On average:

Teacher training in three years (for pre-school education) and in four years (for elementary and secondary education) and in five years (specialist in the field of education)- in place only recently.

The field of medical sciences: provides two level programs: The first level with a three year duration turns out paramedics, the second level is destined for pharmacy and dentistry (5 years) and the third level (six years) destined for medicine.

The engineering fields: Have traditionally offered courses of the Universit level (engineering diploma), in five-year duration.

The administration and management field: In recent years, the higher education institutions; training centers or institutes have started to offer relevant course in four to four and half years.

Eight semesters, including one òr two semesters of work experience, are taid down for most courses of studies at Albanian institutes of higher education.

Legislative framework

Higher Education Institutions are regulated by the Law on Higher Education (20 April 1994). This made Albania, after Hungary, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia, the fourth central and Eastern European country to succeed in the adoption of a framework law on Higher Education. Among the multitude of problems confronting the higher education system, those seem to call for urgent attention relating to:

* The need for forward strategic planning as a framework for setting priorities for action in discrete area.

*The granting of financial autonomy to universities with all that this implies in terms of institutional governance and accountability.

*The imperative need for bringing about improvement of the quality of, university studies.

* The need for the setting up of effective systems of educational evaluation, including the setting up of an Education Evaluation Agency.

* What is and is not urgent in bringing scientif·research and university teaching closer together.

The solutions in the above areas progress, there will be need for these to be, reflected in a revised law on higher education to amend and/or comptete the one which already exists. In this, as in other areas, it can be assumed that Albanian authorities are going on preparations for the uniform I.aw on Higher Education (1994) and Law on Science and Technological Development (1994).

Recognition of qualifications obtained abroad

Years spent at an institution of higher education abroad will be credited, provided they are deemed equivalent. The Albanian ENIC officee in collaboration with examining board of the faculty/department decides on the recognition of these qualifications.

Useful addresses relevant to credential evaluation.

Ministry of Education and Science, Directorate of Development Policies, Albanian ENIC Office: Rruga e Durresit, 23 Tirana Albania, Tel/Fax: 355.42.27975

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