Teaching in Albanian Higher Education Institutions Challenges and opportunities.

This paper focuses on the role of regulations in promoting teaching improvement and career progression based on it in Higher Education Institutions in Albania. Obstacles and facilitators for enhancing teaching are identified, providing insights into the challenge sand opportunities within the higher education landscape. Elevating teaching standards in Albanian HEIs involves addressing resource constraints, modernizing curricula, fostering pedagogical innovation, and adapting to changing demographics. A significant considerations the language barrier; the absence of a language policy within Albanian HEIs inhibits the potential for study programs to adopt English as a medium of instruction, thereby limiting international exposure. Collaboration with industry, international partnerships, and a commitment to quality assurance can be key strategies for overcoming these obstacles and improving the overall quality of higher education in Albania. The paper concludes with a SWOT analysis, emphasizing key strengths of Albanian HEIs such as the rich educational tradition that enhances teaching and learning quality. Additionally, the majority of the public HEIs that offer study program in education, also have established their centres for teaching and lifelong learning, which can be a good support for staff development. An imperative recommendation is for Albanian HEIs to invest in the professional development of academic staff as educators, alongside a critical review of their appraisal processes. The incorporation of these suggestions into the accreditation process is essential, including the identification of appropriate methods, standards, and criteria for evaluation.