The Chairman along with Prof. Ketikidis held a round of meetings with high-level officials to discuss and explore the current challenges of Albania's education and research system and also to identify potential collaboration schemes that contribute to the increase of existing research capacity in the country. During their visit, they met with the President of the Republic of Albania Mr. Bamir Topi and the Prime Minister Prof. Sali Berisha with whom they discussed the latest developments on Albania's course to EU membership. Other important meetings were held with members of the local academic and industrial community among which, Prof. Ethem Ruka, Former Minister of Education and MP, Mr. Nikolin Jaka, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tirana, and the Mayor of Durres, Mr. Vangjush Dako.
Lord Best and Professor Ketikidis met with the Director of the National Academy of Sciences in Albania, Mr. Gudar Beqiraj and they signed a Memorandum of Understanding between SEERC and the Academy for collaboration on research and development as well as for building the knowledge capacity of Albania.
The trip was kick-started with a meeting with Ms. Fiona McIlwham, Ambassadress of the UK to Albania, who presented the overall political and social situation of the country.
Except for Tirana, Lord Best had the opportunity to visit Durres, the biggest harbour of Albania and also Kruja, the Medieval Capital city of Albania.
