The Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) and the Ministry of Education signed a cooperation agreement today that marks an important step towards reforming the education services system in Albania, through the creation and strengthening of the National Agency for Educational Services (AKSHA). The agreement aims to transform the institution responsible for administering national exams and other key educational services, orienting it towards a modern, autonomous model based on international standards.
The signing ceremony, held at the Innovation Hub in the Tirana Pyramid, brought together senior representatives of local institutions and international partners, including the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, the Chairman of the AADF Board, Mr. Michael Granoff, the co-chairs of the AADF, Mr. Aleksandër Sarapuli and Mr. Martin Mata, the Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Mirela Kumbaro, as well as international experts from Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
AADF Board Chairman, Mr. Michael D. Granoff, stated that “If you want to understand the future of a country, you only need to look at its education system. That is why investing in strong and reliable institutions is so essential. Like any building, education needs a strong foundation. Without reliable institutions and clear standards, everything that is built on them remains fragile. Students, teachers, and the entire society must trust in the integrity and fairness of the system. Our goal is not to invent new models, but to bring to Albania the best international standards and partnerships, to build institutions that last.”
"This agreement follows the approval of the new legal framework for the establishment of AKSHA, which will function as an autonomous agency under the Ministry of Education. Its role will be to increase the quality, efficiency and reliability of services related to assessment and certification in the Albanian education system.
"We are at a moment that comes as a natural need to expand, and here I am not talking only about capacities or administrative organization, but about a new approach that, beyond the walls of the halls, reforms services and modernizes systems by responding to the rhythms dictated by the digital age in education and every other sector. It has been a colossal work, thanks to which we now have a common model for increasing the quality, reliability and modernization of the assessment system in Albania. With AADF, through the signing of the new Agreement, we enter another phase where it is precisely the support of a donor such as the Albanian-American Foundation for Development that enables us the expertise of one of the best assessment centers globally, such as the Cambridge Assessment Center." - said the Minister of Education, Mirela Kumbaro.
In this context, AADF will support the building of institutional capacities of AKSHA through improving operational processes, strengthening transparency and integrity, and accelerating the digital transformation of services. The agreement formalizes a joint action plan drafted with the Ministry of Education and the relevant institution, with a focus on building a sustainable and long-term model.
Support will focus on several strategic directions:
✔ implementation of the new legal and organizational framework,
✔ strengthening internal systems and processes,
✔ investment in technology and digitalization,
✔ as well as the creation of a stable financial base for the operation of the agency.
A key component of this transformation is the collaboration with Cambridge University Press & Assessment, engaged by AADF to provide international expertise. This partnership has included a feasibility study and the drafting of a 10-year strategic plan for the development of the institution, focusing on improving operating models, expanding testing services and integrating advanced technologies.
During his speech, Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized that “Bringing standards of excellence like those of Cambridge to Albania is an investment in a fairer, more modern and more reliable education system. Strong institutions are built on trust. And trust comes when processes are fair, transparent and protected from any interference. Today we are taking another very important step towards the modernization of educational services, by putting technology and international standards in the function of merit, transparency and quality.”
The proposed interventions aim to increase the efficiency and transparency of testing processes, reduce costs and information processing time, and expand the range of services, including testing for the public and private sectors, as well as international certifications.
This collaboration builds on a previous partnership between AADF and the Ministry of Education, dating back to 2018, and an investment approved by the AADF Board in 2020 for the creation of a modern testing center, with a total value of $4,950,000.
As part of the activity, the vision for AKSHA's new premises was also presented, a modern space of approximately 3,500 m², designed to meet the highest international standards in the administration of testing and assessment processes.
This partnership reflects AADF's approach to investing in transformative models and sustainable institutions, bringing in international expertise and building systems that guarantee quality and long-term public trust.
"Strengthening institutions that guarantee quality, integrity and public trust is fundamental to the future of education. This collaboration aims to support a modern public service model, with long-term impact," it was emphasized during the ceremony.
Through this initiative, a fundamental transformation is aimed at the way assessment services are administered and provided in Albania, setting new standards for the education system.
