The profession of political science scholars in Albania. Experiment and uncertainty about the future

Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2014 in the subject Politics - Region: Southeastern Europe, University of Tirana (Albanian Institute for Political Studies), language: English, abstract: This paper addresses the misbalanced rapport between the 'trendy' university supply during the last decade in Albania (political science and international relations) and the real demand of the labor market. The massive stride towards these professions was made without having quality counseling information on their perspectives and employment opportunities. Public and university institutions preferred the quantity and appearance of the studies, considering the quality supply and the studies' content as secondary. Part of this study are tests carried out on 4-5 generations of 'trendy' sciences alumni, who have completed their studies and have been facing the labor market for several years. The conclusions of this test, which was carried out for the first time in Albania, constitute valuable information for the public, universities, youth and their families. Considering the above-mentioned phenomenon as a transition phenomenon taking place in the majority of former communist countries, this study puts forward experiences and makes comparisons and concrete suggestions for the Albanian case. Its thesis supports the slogan: 'professions, no diplomas', and suggests pursuing studies in technology, information technology, natural sciences, service sector domains etc.Through the current balance and successful models applied in any other country similar to Albania, this study emphasizes the responsibility for a long-term career orientation program for the youth in making their profession choice, and a university system moving towards the long-term labor market needs in the country. It concludes by stating that this process requires an essential reformation of the public information system, an active and public partnership between university institutions and potential actors in the labor market, as well as periodic public reports that analyze the developments, expectations, suggestions and tendencies in the future decades.

The Author is Afrim Krasniqi who is a journalist and scholar of political science, a former parliamentarian. He holds MA studies at the Frankfurt O. University (Germany), and PhD in Tirana University (History and international relations) currently teaches also political science in Tirana University and has published three other political books: 'The Fall of Democracy,' 1997; 'The End of Albanian Siberia,' 1998 and 'The Political and Civil Society in Albania,', 'Over-power of political parties in Albania,' 2008;'Election in Albania,' 2009;'Political System in Albania 1912-2008,' 2010;'Political Parties and Political Systems' 2010;etc. Mr. Krasniqi serve as the Political Adviser of the President of the Republic since 2002-2007 and 2010-2012.