Group photo from left to right: Ilir Mandro (director of the Albanian Security Academy), Pasi Kemppainen (project manager, POLAMK), Tiina Koivuniemi (on-site project manager, POLAMK), Christiane Hohmann (EU ambassador to Albania), Julian Hodaj (Deputy Interior Minister of Albania), Marek Link (Rector of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences)
Albania’s Security Academy is responsible for the education, specialisation and training of the officers and agents of the Albanian State Police and other law enforcement institutions.
The delivery of this Twinning project was a collaborative effort involving internal security and training organisations from Estonia and Finland. Its main objective was to improve the educational system for law enforcement agencies, with a particular focus on strengthening the educational, research, and managerial capabilities of the Security Academy.
Reinforcing the education and training capacities for law enforcement agents is a key contribution to upholding the rule of law and combatting corruption and organised crime.
The project was implemented by a consortium including the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, Tampere Police University College (POLAMK), Jyväsküla University of Applied Sciences (JAMK) and the Finnish Institute of Public Management (HAUS).
Over a span of 28 months, the project achieved significant milestones. A new strategy on training and research capacity development was prepared, and a new quality management system introduced. The project also contributed to curriculum development, development of pedagogical skills, research and development activities, pedagogical leadership and enhanced cooperation between institutions. Moreover, the Security Academy updated internal rules and regulations in the field of ICT, finance and personnel management with the aim of improving governance and administrative procedures in line with EU standards.
The Security Academy also initiated the accreditation process to obtain a special status in accordance with the law on higher education. To move towards this goal, Twinning experts offered support in the implementation of a self-assessment, followed by an external evaluation of the institution.
Project title: Strengthening the Capacities and Efficiency of the Security Academy – Albania
Project ID: AL 18 IPA JH 01 19, 2020-2022