“Luarasi” University is the first university in the Balkans to bring the academic programs of the London School of Economics (LSE) to Albania, offering students the opportunity to pursue studies according to the standards of one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Professor Rinaldo Muça, at the London School of Economics, described this partnership as an important step for Albanian higher education, emphasizing that the benefits are not limited to students, but also extend to academic staff.
He underlined that LSE is an institution with an international reputation, which has produced important personalities and numerous Nobel Prize winners, while he assessed that the program will help increase Albania's attractiveness for local and foreign students.
According to Muça, one of the main advantages of the program is the fact that it is conducted in English and gives students the opportunity to obtain a degree integrated with Western education standards.
He also emphasized that the teaching methodology is based on case studies, making the program more practical and oriented towards the development of professional skills. Speaking about the challenges, Muça said that they are mainly related to creating the necessary infrastructure to absorb a larger number of students and to implement the academic standards of LSE.
"This partnership with the London School of Economics should be seen on several levels and plans. This is a golden opportunity for mentoring. Mentoring comes not only to students, but also to university professors. There is a lot to learn, even though we are on the right track. This is an institution that has produced big names and a dozen Nobel Prize laureates. An important point is also the fact that, generally, as a country, we import students. The program is offered in English. Another good thing that can bring is for the student to receive a degree that is integrated with the Western world.
This program emphasizes case studies, so it is a great advantage for all those who will follow it. The challenges of this program in Albania are related to the infrastructure to absorb students. The potential of this program is great. This is the first year and, by investing, experience is also being created. It is a program that operates in an Albanian educational culture, which has not yet fully embraced this approach. The English are very specific about pencil and paper; they do not want artificial intelligence or software applications. These standards create good practice. All support is provided at the university. Everything remains in the joint work of teachers and students. The student today is free. This is a program that is newly opening not only for students, but also for Albanian teachers. Communication is the basis and the main thing is orientation. The curriculum gives you the opportunity to choose, but the program must be respected.
Students seeking an elite education do not need to leave their families or be forced to spend more, as the right program is offered by Luarasi. From an academic point of view, this gives them the opportunity to grow like their peers in the world. Foreign teachers not only test the students, but also us teachers here. So, a student feels comfortable studying here, but with a curriculum like in the West,” he said.
