The historic city of Gjirokastra has, for two days, turned into an international academic hub focused on science, innovation, and their role in sustainable development. The International Conference titled “Science and Innovation for Sustainable Development”, organized by the “Eqrem Çabej” University, has brought together academics and researchers from 12 universities across the world, including Italy, Greece, the United States, China, Poland, and other countries.
A total of 184 scientific papers have been presented during the conference, which, beyond their academic value, are expected to contribute to the social and economic development of southern Albania.
The Rector of the “Eqrem Çabej” University, Jaho Cana, emphasized that the strong international participation highlights the growing importance of the event and the institution itself.
“There are around 184 papers accepted by the Scientific Committee of the conference. What stands out is the wide geographical representation of researchers, coming from China, Italy, Poland, as well as universities from the region. This is a hybrid conference, organized both physically and online,” Cana stated.
According to organizers, academic events of this scale demonstrate the qualitative progress of the University of Gjirokastra, positioning it as one of the most important academic institutions in southern Albania.
“In this way, the ‘Eqrem Çabej’ University is fulfilling its mission, becoming an important research and scientific center. The participation of well-known scholars in Albanology and other fields shows that the university is on the right path,” the rector added.
He further noted that such scientific and academic activities also play an important role in promoting the university and increasing its attractiveness among high school graduates.
“These scientific events are a strong promotion for the University of Gjirokastra, increasing interest among students to join it. In addition to foreign researchers, the conference also includes well-known Albanian academics, including professors from the Academy of Sciences of Albania,” he said.
The “Eqrem Çabej” University has a history of nearly 60 years and currently offers 22 study programs across social sciences, natural sciences, and education fields, continuing to serve as a key academic center in the region.