The Academy of Sciences of Albania has been a member since 2009.
The Academy of Sciences of Albania (ASA) is the highest public institution of scientific research and intellectual authority in the Republic of Albania. It serves as a central institution for science, culture, and public life in the country. Officially established in 1972, the Academy evolved from earlier structures, including the Institute of Sciences (founded in 1948) and various research sectors developed throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Its founding marked a significant milestone in the institutionalization of science in Albania, and since then, it has played a leading role in shaping and advancing the nation’s academic and scientific development.
The Academy’s mission is to promote scientific research and academic excellence, preserve and develop Albanological and national cultural heritage, and support the development of a knowledge-based society. The Academy ensures representation across all major fields of social, natural, and technical sciences. It provides independent expertise to public institutions, especially in matters of education policy, research, innovation, cultural identity, environmental protection ect.
Its vision is to be a dynamic and modern institution that promotes scientific excellence, nurtures interdisciplinary dialogue, and supports the sustainable development of the country through research and innovation.
The highest governing body of the Academy is the General Assembly, composed of all academicians and associate academicians. The Assembly is responsible for electing the Academy’s senior leadership, including:
The Assembly elects new members, external members from among successful scientists abroad with Albanian citizenship, as well as honorary members, foreign nationals permanently residing abroad, who through their scientific contribution have helped promote the truths and values of Albanian origin, language, and culture. The Assembly approves the program, development strategies, as well as the annual budget of the Academy. The current President, Acad. Skënder Gjinushi, was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.
A major institutional reform took place with the approval of Law no. 53/2019, “On the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Albania”. This law replaced the previous legal framework and provided a clearer, more functional definition of the Academy’s status, mission, structure, and governance. It reaffirmed the Academy’s autonomy, while enhancing its role as a national coordinator of scientific research and a key advisor to the state on strategic issues in science, education, environment, innovation, and culture.
One of the novelties introduced by the 2019 law was the legal provision for the establishment of the Youth Academy of Sciences, aimed at involving early-career researchers and strengthening generational renewal in Albanian science.
The Academy of Sciences consists of:
Members are elected based on their academic achievements, contributions to science, and integrity. The Assembly members hold the titles of “Academician” and “Associate Academician”. Currently, the Academy comprises 51 full and associate members, 26 external members, and 18 honorary members. The Academy maintains close relations with Albanian scholars worldwide, strengthening the intellectual and cultural ties of the Albanian diaspora.
The Assembly of the Academy is organized into two main scientific sections:
These sections are responsible for scientific evaluation, research coordination, strategic planning, publications, and fostering academic dialogue within and across disciplines.
There are 11 permanent commissions operating under it, organized by the main branches of knowledge, composed of 177 members, including 51 members of the Assembly, as well as scientific personnel from higher education institutions and research institutes outside the Academy. As part of its institutional and research infrastructure, the Academy comprises four research institutes, three research centers and several temporary research units and theYouth Academy.
All these structures form a comprehensive academic ecosystem dedicated to promoting excellence in research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the advancement of knowledge in service of national development.
The Academy is actively engaged in international scientific collaboration, promoting Albania’s integration into the global scientific community. ASA is a member or partner of several key organizations, including:
These partnerships enhance the Academy’s role in regional integration and ensure Albania’s presence in the global scientific arena.
Photo by the Academy of Sciences of Albania (ASA)
