The state-of-the-art Chemical Engineering Lab at the Natural Sciences Faculty in Tirana is the newest elite research infrastructure and the first of its kind in Albania to open its doors to Albanian students and their peers from the region today. 

Prime Minister Edi Rama toured the new laboratory accompanied by the Minister of Education and Sports, Evis Kushi, who noted that the state budget -funded investment delivered on this unique lab facility in Albania and the region.

Construction of the laboratory was funded under the scientific research infrastructure programme as part of the Pact for the University and will serve as a centre of excellence for the engineering sciences for both national and regional universities.

Saying that progress made in this respect deserves commendation, the Premier noted that the new lab facility should become fully operational and a revenue-generating source for the faculty and a centre delivering valuable and quality service to other institutions.

“This laboratory should also become a revenue-generating source for the faculty and a centre serving other institutions. What we have already planned at least for the universities and what is up to us to deliver on is that in the range of the services you offer a manual be prepared regarding the services that the Faculty of Sciences provides to both private and public sector,” the Premier said.

On her part, Education Minister Evis Kushi said:  “A chemical engineering research laboratory has been funded under the Albanian government budget worth 380,000 euros. It is a unique laboratory in Albania and a wider region. The advantage is that as many as 25 to 30 students can work simultaneously in the new laboratory from four to five students in the previous lab.”

The Rector of the Tirana University Artan Hoxha noted that a number of university professors from the Western Europe contribute to the Faculty of Natural Sciences in Tirana.

In addition to didactic advantages, the laboratory also has practical values in delivering services. This laboratory will allow for tests certification for the heavy industry, petrochemical, renewable energy, food industry.