AADF in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth organizes the activity “AADF – Strategic Partner in Education”, were attended by the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama; the AADF Chairman Mr. Michael Granoff, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Ms. Lindita Nikolla, the AADF Board Members and Co-CEOs, as well as representatives from public and private educational institutions of pre-university and higher education, in Albania.
Signing of the agreements with Government of Albania for three AADF investments to increase quality in education:
Establishment of the School of Leadership for Pre-University Education – After a one-year period of research and study on international models in the field of education management, the AADF and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth signed a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2017 for the establishment of an independent institution that will enjoy the exclusivity for training and certification of the directors and deputy directors of pre-university education institutions in Albania. This memorandum paved the way for the cooperation between the two institutions to enrich the legal and regulatory framework for the functioning and organization of the School of Leadership, that continues today with the signing of the agreement on co-founding for this institution. The ongoing steps that are expected to be undertaken by this institution are: Countrywide study to identify the needs for training of directors/deputy directors and development of the curriculum based on the findings of this study. AADF funding for this project is $ 2.9 million for the next 10 years, while the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth has provided the premises where the administration of the School of Leadership will be established.
Signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the CleanScore project – The project started its implementation in June 2016, initially involving only two higher education institutions. During the two years of implementation, the project has been joined by two other institutions and more than 30,000 tests have been scored with the CleanScore technology and methodology, also an international book on entrepreneurship has been translated and published. Three more books in the field of economy are in the process of translation and will be published by the end of 2018. By signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the AADF investment for the period 2019-2024 is formalized for the extension of technology to 14 scoring offices throughout Albania and the translation of 10 new books in the field of economics and teaching. Also, the project’s goal is to build the first electronic platform for academic literature in Albanian. AADF funding for this project is $ 2.7 million for a 6-year period.
Signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Improving the Education Services Center (ASC) – This project started in June 2018 and the first phase will be completed by the end of 2019. The AADF analyzed different models of similar institutions in other countries around the world, while the Albanian Government has provided the new building for the ESC, which will enable the improvement and expansion of centers activities. In addition, AADF will provide expertise in drafting the relevant legal framework for ESC to become an independent institution, both financially and operationally. Prepare a business plan to operate the new model and will also donate ESC the necessary equipment for the preparation, production and scanning of tests. AADF funding to this project for next year is $ 410,000.
The event was concluded with the inauguration of the offices where the administration of the School of Leadership for Pre-university Education Institutions will be established and operate.
The three above projects are a continuation of a $ 32 million investment by AADF to enhance quality, transparency and innovation in the Albanian education system.