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Study in Europe - EU policy event Albania 2025 - Advancing Quality Assurance and Recognition in the Western Balkans

October 9, 2025

1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Register

Join us for this hybrid policy event dedicated to the ongoing development of quality assurance and recognition in European higher education. This event will serve as a forum to present and discuss key EU policy initiatives and achievements in these areas, with particular attention to their technical dimensions.

Bringing together policymakers and practitioners, especially from Western Balkan countries, the event aims to foster constructive dialogue, promote mutual learning, and support greater alignment with the objectives of the European Education Area.

We welcome your participation in this important exchange and look forward to your contribution to advancing shared goals in European higher education policy.

Details

Start: October 9, 2025
1:00 PM
End: October 9, 2025
6:00 PM
Study in Europe

Hybrid event: online and at the Rogner Hotel, Tirana



Albania

Programme

Programme EU policy event in Albania - 9 October 2025
October 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM — October 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Arrival and registration (onsite) / platform login (online)

* Onsite registration & networking coffee

* Online participants log into livestream platform

October 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM — October 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Opening Remarks

Speaker: Antoaneta Irikova, Policy Officer in DG EAC - European Commission + a representative from the delegation of the EU to Albania (TBC)

 

Antoaneta Irikova picture
Antoaneta Irikova
October 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM — October 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Keynote Speech

Title: Recent Developments in the EEA and EHEA: General trends and emerging regional issues

Speaker: Maria Kelo, Director of Institutional Development - European University Association

This keynote will offer a comprehensive EU-level perspective on recent and upcoming developments in the European Education Area and the European Higher Education Area, with particular emphasis on quality assurance and recognition

Maria Kelo picture
Maria Kelo
October 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM — October 9, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Plenary Panel Discussion

Title: National developments in QA and recognition: Insights from the Nordic, Benelux and Western Balkan regions

Progress with QA reforms at national level and cross-country alignment: outstanding issues, points of concern, opportunities, from the perspective of regional speakers, lessons learnt & good practice examples from the Nordic, Benelux and Western Balkans context

October 9, 2025 at 3:25 PM — October 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Coffee break / Technical pause
October 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM — October 9, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Thematic Session I

Implementation of the existing EHEA tools, esp. the ESG and the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes, with a view of moving towards a European degree label, focus on internal QA systems both within institutions and alliances.

Eglantina Gishti picture
Eglantina Gishti
October 9, 2025 at 4:25 PM — October 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Thematic Session II

How automatic recognition is implemented in practice across diverse national and institutional contexts—drawing on case-based insights from ENIC/NARIC centres, practical tools and frameworks that support recognition, and progress made toward the objectives of the 2018 Council Recommendation. Particular attention to be given to challenges and enabling factors, as well as lessons emerging from more mature systems.

Nadia Manzoni picture
Nadia Manzoni
October 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM — October 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Key reflections & policy feedback

Moderator: Angeliki Psychogyiou, Policy and Project Coordinator – Academic Cooperation Association

With the support of rapporteurs from sessions 

Angeliki Psychogyiou picture
Angeliki Psychogyiou
October 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM — October 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Official closing

Speaker: Antoaneta Irikova, Policy Officer in DG EAC - European Commission  

Antoaneta Irikova picture
Antoaneta Irikova
October 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM — October 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Light networking cocktail for onsite participants

Come and join us at the coffee break area for a great networkign moment!

 For the online participants, enjoy your evening and thank you for joining today!