In the framework of his trip the United States of America, Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the Michigan State University, where he held talks with the Dean of International Studies and Programs, Steven Hanson, and the management team of this leading U.S. university.
A new bridge of cooperation was established, clearing the way for Albanian universities to international universities through joint degree programs and projects, which will allow young Albanian students to attend high-level degree programs without having to leave their homeland.
During the meeting, the Minister of Education Ervis Kushi and the head of the Michigan State University’s International Studies and programs signed a Memorandum of Understanding, formally marking the launch of this partnership.
The Premier then visited the Michigan State University venues, a contemporary education facility featuring a very special architecture, where modern technology plays an important role.
Members of the University’s academic staff thanked PM Rama for his visit and the steps launched towards formalizing the cooperation. “I would like to thank the Prime Minister, who came and visited us here at the Michigan State University, where we signed the Memorandum, marking the formal launch of the partnership between the Michigan State University and the Albanian universities. A Michigan State University delegation will be visiting Albania in the coming months to work with your universities. I would like to wholeheartedly praise what the Prime Minister has done and what the Albanians have done to support the staff of our researchers from Afghanistan, who are currently housed in Albania. I look forward to seeing you in Tirana and going on with the next chapter of this relationship,” said a member of the academic staff, who has been tasked with coordinating this process.
The Prime Minister pointed out the interest this cooperation has attracted, saying the memorandum will open up a new perspective for Albanian universities.
“It was an extraordinary visit in terms of the interest to establish partnership with this leading U.S. University and our Agricultural University, and not only, and I am here with the professor tasked with coordinating this process. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Minister of Education and the head of this University’s International Programs and we expect a University delegation to pay the first working visit to Albania to explore ways how to move further forward so that we can give a fresh impetus to our Agricultural University and provide our students an additional space and opportunity so that they can stay in Albania but attend high quality university degree programs offered by international universities, including the Michigan State University. This is a friendship that was born thanks to the friendship between the Michigan State University and its professors from Afghanistan that we have already provided shelter in Albania. This way we have opened a new door with new friends and partners, who will bring more knowledge and more opportunities to our young people,” PM Rama said following his visit to the Michigan State University.
