Work is underway around the clock at the building site of the new Agricultural University campus to complete construction of eight new on-campus residential facilities designed to provide optimum habitability and accommodation conditions for around 2200 students like their peers in university campuses across Europe.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj and the Minister of State for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj, today visited the site to inspect the ongoing construction work.

“We expect construction of half of the on-campus facilities to complete by September, depending on progress of the vaccination campaign and when the universities will reopen. Half of the buildings will be ready to welcome back students by then. Eight of nine previous building was occupied by other residents when we demolished them and 100 students were crammed in one building. The eight new facilities will become available to some 2200 students. Given the excellent conditions, we plan to accommodate also students from other universities and faculties, who would wish to transfer here. We have repeatedly said that these projects have also increased value of the surrounding properties,” Mayor Veliaj said, adding the two first floors of the buildings will be made available to the universities to make up for the premises they currently lack, including offices, laboratories etc.

Reconstruction Minister Ahmetaj said that the university campus will also serve as community centre. “The project is part of the Pact for the University and an Albanian government-funded investment worth $10 million to accommodate as many as 2200 students. The campus will also serve as a community centre,” Ahmetaj said.

The government head Edi Rama underlined that construction work continues apace seven days a week. “Work goes on Saturday and Sunday and this construction site resembles today’s Albania with ongoing investments in economy, education, health system, tourism and agriculture.”