In a significant initiative to combat corruption in higher education, the Institute for Research and Development Alternatives (IDRA) led a round table discussion on July 14^th 2023, in Tirana, Albania. The event brought together representatives from both public and private Higher Education Institutions, as well as members of civil society and international organizations.

The focal point of the gathering was the unveiling of preliminary findings from the project “Universities without corruption in Albania, Macedonia, and Serbia.” The discussion aimed to foster a comparative dialogue based on the initial survey conducted in Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Specifically, the conversation delved into the perspectives and perceptions of 300 surveyed students from the University of Tirana, the University of Elbasan, and The University of Durrës, respectively.

Albanian students participated in a comprehensive survey consisting of forty questions, addressing various aspects of corruption practices within higher education. The questions explored the encountered corruption practices, their frequency, the existence of reporting mechanisms, and the reasons behind not reporting such incidents. The round table discussion focused on ten key questions, shedding light on the findings from Albania while drawing comparisons with the results from Serbia and North Macedonia.

The purpose of the meeting was not only to disseminate the preliminary findings but also to encourage a constructive discussion among stakeholders. By dissecting the survey results, participants sought to identify common challenges and potential solutions in the fight against corruption within the higher education landscape.

The round table discussion served as a platform for collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing, emphasizing the importance of a collective approach in addressing corruption. As we continue to spearhead initiatives for universities without corruption, this event marks a crucial step towards fostering transparency, accountability, and ethical practices within the higher education sector across Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

This collaborative effort is made possible in the framework of the regional grant of the “SMART Balkans – Civil Society for Shared Society in the Western Balkans” regional project implemented by Centar za promociju civilnog društva (CPCD), Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) and Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) and financially supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

Stay tuned for further updates on this groundbreaking project.