TIRANA, November 14 – The Ministry of Education presented the draft budget for Education 2026 today at the Committee on Education, Science and Sports. The ministry plans to allocate 146 million euros for higher education and scientific research.

To begin with, the ministry set out its priorities for higher education. It aims to strengthen internationalisation and align Albania with the European Higher Education Area. It also plans to open international university campuses and develop joint double-degree programmes. In addition, the ministry seeks to raise academic quality through new investments in teaching, research laboratories and modern university facilities. It also places integrity, transparency and accountability at the centre of governance standards.

Furthermore, the ministry highlighted student support as a key priority. It will expand financial aid for outstanding students and those with social difficulties. It will also reduce tuition fees for selected groups and support priority study programmes. The ministry intends to promote student mobility and deepen institutional digitalisation through new information-technology infrastructure and digital services for public universities.

Moreover, the ministry confirmed that higher education and scientific research will receive a combined 146 million euros in 2026. Public universities are projected to generate an additional 39 million euros in their own revenues, raising total financing to 185 million euros.

Finally, the ministry detailed the 2026 infrastructure fund. It plans to invest 18.3 million euros in public universities and research institutions. Priority projects include reconstructing the Faculty of Civil Engineering, renovating the Faculty of Geology and Mining and establishing a Geology Museum. The fund will also cover the new building of the Faculty of Professional Studies in Durrës, sports facilities at the Sports University and the new building of the Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences in Elbasan. In addition, the ministry will finance 40 research-infrastructure projects worth 3.5 million euros.

/a.p./