Today, the Faculty of Foreign Languages, University of Tirana, had the honour of welcoming a high-level delegation from the European Commission’s interpreting service for an important meeting that highlighted the strategic role of the translation and interpreting profession in Albania’s European integration process.
The meeting was opened by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Esmeralda Kromidha, who presented the Faculty’s key developments and achievements in the field of translation and interpreting, both in its academic programmes and in continuing professional training for translators licensed by the Ministry of Justice.
The European Commission delegation, represented by Mr. Collin Scicluna, Deputy Director-General for Interpretation, and Mr. Eoin Ward, Conference Interpreter and Enlargement Coordinator, shared valuable insights on:
🔹 The pivotal role of language in the negotiation process and the closing of acquis chapters
🔹 The necessity of fully translating EU legislation into Albanian prior to accession
🔹 The growing demand for highly qualified professionals in translation and interpreting, particularly once Albanian becomes an official language of the EU
It was underlined that universities play a vital role in preparing this new generation of professionals by strengthening linguistic competences, broadening general knowledge, and fostering the effective use of emerging technologies. Artificial Intelligence was acknowledged as a valuable support tool; however, it cannot replace the role of translators and interpreters without rigorous revision and human expertise.
The discussions also emphasized the importance of inter-university cooperation across Europe. The Faculty of Foreign Languages already collaborates with six European universities offering conference interpreting programmes, while further strengthening these partnerships through concrete joint projects remains a key priority.
🎓✨ For students and young people, the message was clear:
Invest in foreign languages, strengthen your command of Albanian, and broaden your general knowledge—because Europe’s future needs you!
