By Rafaela Prifti/
The Biberaj Foundation, which started in 2017 is now in its 6th year of pursuing its mission https://gazetadielli.com/education-is-a-force-multiplier…/ Recently the Foundation was honored by the American Councils of International Education. In a climate of massive departures of Albania’s students to pursue education opportunities abroad, the full return of graduate Fellows of the Biberaj Foundation deserves more attention and even replicating for the benefit of the country. I asked spokesperson Ken Biberaj for a brief description of the program’s impact on the Albanian society. “We believe that the success of our investment in education is demonstrated by the multiplier effect where graduates return to the workforce and add improvement in the quality of life around them,” said he.Having graduates return home is an important distinction, particularly at a time when according to data published by UNESCO in 2020, 94% of students who study abroad do not want to go back to Albania. The results of surveys conducted in recent years show that the youth exodus of Albania is the highest in Europe. Last year, the Head of Economics and Social Studies, Ilir Gedeshi said that “region-wide, Albania ranks first when it comes to students leaving the country.” (Euronews Albania Interview, April 18, 2022.) Such numbers are expected to have gone up since last year’s polls.The phenomenon explains the high volume of applicants for scholarships and education opportunities abroad. Linda Meniku of the American Council confirmed that there is a lot of interest in applying at the Biberaj Foundation, that offers a variety of programs designed to deliver an impactful experience. Ergisa Bejkollari, GPED, a 2022 graduate fellow, who went to Owen Business School and did one semester in Puerto Rico, as part of her training, says that she “allowed herself to be radically transformed in the process.” “These meetings guided me through a new way of thinking because Puerto Rico and Albania might seem like two completely different countries, but, the challenges they face, especially economically and politically, are the same. So, for me, knowing that these people made it amid the not most favorable environment, is motivating and rewarding,” writes Bejkollari in her testimonial. Kristiana Dhima who pursued a degree in Cybersecurity from the prestigious NYU Tandon School of Engineering through the Biberaj Foundation calls her experience “a great privilege and responsibility for me, both personally and professionally.”In terms of changes or additions to the areas of concentration from last years’, Ken Biberaj says that Public Health and Culture were added since the inception of the Masters and Internship program as it continues to evolve. He then lists the current areas of concentration as follows: “Agriculture, Business Administration and Management, Culture, Eco-Tourism & Hospitality, Economics, Education, Information Technology and Computer Science, Law (LLM), Public Administration, Public Health, Public Policy.”The Biberaj Foundation model was conceptualized to be working alongside professionals and other institutions of education. Given the high demand by students in Albania, it is important for applicants to get information from the adequate source, which in this case is not the Foundation’s page. “[The Foundation] is pleased to participate in certain educational programs designed to improve the well-being of Albanians throughout the Balkans. We work with expert in-country partners who are dedicated and share our view on improving educational opportunities. As such, working with partners, the Biberaj Foundation does not accept applications directly,” clarifies spokesperson Biberaj.For anyone interested in the qualifications and deadline for the 2023 academic year, Biberaj said: “Individuals interested in applying to the Masters and Internship Program are encouraged to contact the Albanian American Development Foundation or American Councils for International Education. Applications can be accessed through the following link: mip.americancouncilsnetwork.org. Individuals interested in applying to the Rochester Institute of Technology (Kosovo) are encouraged to visit: https://www.rit.edu/kosovo/apply” In terms of how the performance of the program is assessed, Biberaj’s answer was: “The success of the program is measured by the successful graduation of each student and their ability to return home and obtain high quality and important employment. 100% of the graduating Fellows are employed in many sectors including, government, NGOs, business, and health. The academic success as measured by their overall average grade is excellent.” I pushed him for more information and he noted that “100% of the graduated Fellows have left the US” and that he “can get an update on where they have landed in terms of work, etc.”In the words of Ina Gjika, an MIP Fellow, who pursued a two-year Master’s Degree at Cornell University, the key is “commitment” even for “a pandemic scholar” as she calls herself. She believes that “the Albanian education system could use so many of these concepts to increase access to education in the most remote areas even at a post-pandemic time.” Looking back at the time she decided to apply for the MIP program, she concludes “it was a great decision.” While she came to the program with a focus on development economics, Ina Gjika found her “career direction – renewable energy and green finance,” that she is committed to pursue fully. Her only hope and goal, she says, is “to further live the legacy and built on the experience in an impactful way.”Investment in education needs to be a priority for the Albanian government. The Biberaj Foundation model is delivering results not only in academics but also in the return of highly educated Albanians back home.