On Wednesday 15 January, over 100 people attended an Info Day in Tirana, Albania, organised by European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). The aim of the event was to raise awareness of the COST Programme and encourage researchers to enhance their careers through pan-European networking activities.
President of the COST Association, Prof. Paulo Ferrão tells participants “COST is yours!”
Participation in COST activities has strongly increased since the country became a full COST Member in April 2018, demonstrating the value and opportunities the Programme has to offer to researchers from the country.
During the Info Day, Mr Oltion Rrumbullaku, Deputy Minister of Education, Sport and Youth gave a welcome speech, which was followed by Ms Mirela Muça the General Director of the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation, addressing the challenges and achievements for researchers. Attendees then learnt more about the COST Programme including practical advice on how to participate in an Action and how to submit proposals, as well as the benefits and impact of participation and personal accounts from Albanian researchers.
Attendees also heard from Prof. Zoran Popovski, a member of the COST Committee of Senior Officials, who described the context of COST in Western Balkan countries, before National Coordinator, Ms Evis Tasellari explained Albanian participation and nomination procedures.
Above: L-R, Ms Mirela Muça, Mr Oltio Rrumbullaku, Prof. Paulo Ferrão, Mr Robert Dumi
High-level meeting
The Info Day in Tirana was preceded by a high-level meeting between Prof. Paulo Ferrão, COST Association President, Mr Oltio Rrumbullaku, Deputy Minister of the Ministry Education, Sport and Youth, Ms Mirela Muça General Director of the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation and Mr Robert Dumi, Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) for Albania. During the meeting COST was acknowledged as an important tool for the internationalisation of Albanian research.