By Nora Ahmeti and Vilson Blloshmi
May 2025
TIRANA – As final exams unfold across Albanian university campuses, the usual tension of academic life is palpable. Students pack into libraries and lecture halls, many with hopes of building a better future through education. But for a growing number, those hopes are steadily eroding under the weight of a reality few openly discuss: entrenched corruption in the higher education system. Despite slogans about integrity and repeated reform initiatives, allegations of bribery, favoritism, and political interference persist, casting a long shadow over Albania’s educational institutions.
A new investigative report authored by education experts Nora Ahmeti and Vilson Blloshmi offers a stark assessment of the crisis. Based on a review of recent studies, field interviews, and data from watchdog organizations, the report paints a picture of a system in disrepair—one where grades can be bought, degrees earned through loyalty rather than learning, and where students and honest faculty find themselves powerless to challenge the status quo.
A System Built on Favors, Not Merit
The problem is not a recent development, but one that has taken root over decades. Academic corruption in Albania has evolved from isolated incidents into an institutionalized way of navigating the system. A 2024 study by Studies of Transition States and Societies revealed that more than 50% of university students believe grades are often determined not by performance but by bribery or personal connections. Perhaps even more troubling, 40% admitted that supporting a professor’s political party could result in preferential treatment.
Such findings suggest a systemic failure where integrity is no longer the foundation of academic success. For many students, especially those without financial or political capital, the path to advancement is increasingly obstructed. Experts warn that this institutionalized favoritism fosters a dangerous environment in which ethical behavior is seen as naïve or even counterproductive. Migen Qiraxhi, an anti-corruption advocate with Qëndresa Qytetare, notes that “those who refuse to play along are often marginalized or pushed out entirely.” The result is a system where corruption is not the exception—it’s the rule.
Politics and Power in the Classroom
According to the report, corruption is not just about individuals—it is deeply embedded in the structure of Albanian higher education. Political interference is widespread, with universities often serving as extensions of political parties. From rector appointments to faculty hires and budget decisions, party loyalty often trumps qualifications. Experts describe a “clientelist culture” in which positions are awarded to insiders who are expected to serve political agendas.
One recent example is the 2023 rector plagiarism scandal, which briefly made headlines but resulted in no significant accountability. Qiraxhi explains, “Even when scandals are exposed, the people involved often return quietly to their old posts. It sends a clear message—power protects its own.” Such dynamics create a chilling effect, discouraging internal criticism and reinforcing a cycle of mediocrity and manipulation. Meanwhile, public trust in academic institutions continues to erode, pushing thousands of bright young students to seek opportunities abroad.
The financial structure of universities is also vulnerable. Budgets meant for academic development, research, and training are often redirected toward cosmetic renovations or politically motivated projects. “There is little incentive to invest in quality learning when funding decisions are guided by political optics,” says Qiraxhi. Without transparency and independent oversight, these funds become tools of influence rather than engines of improvement.
Culture of Silence: The Unspoken Rule
Perhaps most insidious is the culture of silence that pervades Albanian academia. Students, faculty, and even university administrators often know about corrupt practices but remain unwilling or afraid to speak out. Fear of retaliation, social isolation, and career sabotage creates a collective paralysis. As one professor explained anonymously, “Everyone knows what’s going on, but no one wants to be the first to step forward.”
Qiraxhi recounts a telling episode: following a major plagiarism scandal, over 800 professors were contacted and encouraged to raise the issue formally with the Ethics Council. Not a single one followed through. “This silence is not just disappointing—it’s a sign of how deeply broken the system is,” he says. Without meaningful protections for whistleblowers, those who do attempt to report wrongdoing often face backlash or are ignored entirely.
This silence is more than just an individual defense mechanism—it’s a societal symptom. When systemic corruption becomes normalized, collective responsibility fades. People stop believing that change is possible or that exposing misconduct will lead to justice. Instead, cynicism takes root, creating a self-reinforcing loop where wrongdoing thrives under the protection of apathy and fear.
The Hidden Costs: Emotional and Psychological Toll on Students
Beyond the administrative failures and political games, the human cost of corruption is most deeply felt by students. Being part of a system where grades and opportunities can be bought is not just demoralizing—it’s emotionally damaging. Students who work hard and play by the rules often find themselves passed over, their efforts devalued in favor of those who can afford shortcuts or have the right connections.
The psychological effects are profound. According to global research by Transparency International and UNESCO, widespread academic corruption often leads to chronic stress, low self-worth, and disengagement from the learning process. In Albania, anecdotal evidence supports this. “You feel like your effort is meaningless,” says a student from Tirana’s Faculty of Economics. “What’s the point of studying when someone else can just buy the exam result?”
Such disillusionment doesn’t just impact academic performance—it erodes students’ trust in the broader system, fueling emigration and weakening the country’s future talent pool. A society that cannot protect its honest students is one that risks losing its most promising minds to countries that do.
Faculty: Victims, Enablers, or Both?
Faculty members occupy a complicated position within this ecosystem. On one hand, many are themselves victims—subject to political pressure, unfair hiring practices, and unclear standards for promotion. On the other hand, some faculty actively participate in corruption, soliciting bribes for grades, engaging in plagiarism, or pressuring students to support political candidates.
The line between complicity and survival is often blurred. Some educators feel forced to “play the game” to retain their positions or access funding. But by doing so, they reinforce the very system they may privately resent. A 2023 report from the Center for European Policy Studies warns that when the ethical standards of educators crumble, the entire academic structure loses its legitimacy.
Reforming the system requires creating incentives for faculty to act ethically and protections for those who do. Without strong, independent oversight and merit-based promotion systems, the academic profession will continue to suffer from both internal disillusionment and external skepticism.
Watchdogs or Bystanders? The Role of Media and Civil Society
In democratic societies, the media and civil society play a crucial role in exposing corruption and driving reform. In Albania, their role in higher education remains inconsistent. While major scandals sometimes make headlines, few outlets have the resources—or editorial independence—to investigate education-related corruption in depth.
Civil society groups, including youth organizations and transparency advocates, have launched awareness campaigns and produced independent studies, but their reach is limited. Many report facing resistance from university leadership, who fear political consequences. “Without cooperation from the institutions, our impact is minimal,” says one NGO leader.
Despite these limitations, there are promising developments. Anonymous reporting platforms like StopKorrupsionit.al give students a way to safely report misconduct. Regional initiatives like the Smart Balkans Project are building networks of reform-minded youth and researchers. However, to truly change the system, these efforts must be supported through national policies and funding mechanisms that protect and amplify their work.
Reform on Paper, Resistance in Practice
The Albanian government’s Higher Education Policy 2030 outlines ambitious goals: autonomy for universities, performance-based funding, and increased accountability. But translating policy into practice has proven difficult. Experts say the main obstacle is not legislative—it’s political will.
“Those benefiting from the system have no interest in changing it,” Qiraxhi warns. Reforms are frequently undermined by delays, lack of enforcement, or manipulation by entrenched interests. Reporting channels for corruption are either unclear or ineffective. One Smart Balkans survey found that nearly half of students didn’t report misconduct because they either didn’t know how or didn’t believe it would make a difference.
Without an independent body to enforce reforms and measure progress, the ambitious language of policy documents risks becoming empty rhetoric.
European Aspirations at Risk
Albania’s journey toward EU integration is closely tied to its progress in education. The European Commission has made it clear that educational transparency and merit-based systems are non-negotiable pillars of democratic development. Yet, continued corruption and weak governance in higher education cast doubt on Albania’s readiness.
The 2024 European Commission progress report identified education governance as a critical area of concern. Without recognized degrees, international partnerships, or quality assurance mechanisms, Albanian universities struggle to join the European Higher Education Area. Student mobility is low, and research output remains limited.
To secure its place in Europe, Albania must treat education reform not as a box to check, but as a foundational requirement for democratic credibility and competitiveness.
A Path Forward: Global Partnerships and Local Action
Despite these challenges, there are signs of hope. Joint degree programs and international collaborations are slowly gaining traction. These initiatives allow Albanian students and faculty to access international standards, gain global exposure, and challenge the insular mindset that often dominates local institutions.
But these efforts must be scaled and sustained. Reform cannot rely solely on foreign partnerships—it must be driven from within.
This article was created as part of the project “Upholding Integrity: Coalition Building for Fighting Corruption in Higher Education,” organized by the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) within the framework of the SELDI Small Grants Programme “Financial Support for Grassroots and Youth CSOs with Outreach to Citizens,” funded by the European Union. All content is the sole responsibility of AIIS and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or SELDI.net.
Photo by Jaime Lopes on Unsplash
