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

* Onsite registration & networking coffee

* Online participants log into livestream platform

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

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

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

Speakers: 

• Erjon Xhako, Head of Department, Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education (ASCAL) - Albania
• Einar Meier, Head of Recognition of Foreign Higher Education, Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills 
• Guus de Bruijn, Policy Advisor, the Benelux Union

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

Session: 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.

Speakers:

• Vladimir Božović, Rector & upcoming President, University of Montenegro & Rectors’ Forum of Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans
• Aleksandar Šušnjar, Director, European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR)
• Eglantina Gishti, Coordinator, UNINOVIS Alliance for University of Tirana
• Benjamin Muhamedbegović, Assistant Director, Agency for Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance Bosnia and Herzegovina

Session: 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.

Speakers:

• Nadia Manzoni, Expert, Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA)
• Aida Myrto, General Director, National Educational Services Center (ENIC - Albania)

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

With the support of rapporteurs from sessions.

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

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!