A synthesis of the current situation of University-Industry cooperation in Albania following the Triple Helix Model

Albanian universities face a variety of challenges which reflect the national and international factors in the political, social, and economic sphere. On one hand Universities shouldestablish high teaching standards whichequip students with necessary competences requested by the labour marketand on the other hand they should play an important role in boosting innovation within industries through scientific research, to impact the economic development of the county. The goal of this research is to analyse the existing collaboration among universities and the industry in Albania, from the perspective of universities and companies. This research uses a qualitative methodology, based on the questionnaires of work page 1 of the KALCEA project. In total, the sample consists of 43 respondents, 16 of which are university senior management staff and 27 leaders/administrators and senior managers of large Albanian companies. Findings of the paper indicate that cooperation between Universities and industry do exist and is claimed as important by both parties. However, it still lacks strategic plannings and structural approaches which establish, inter alia, the necessary culture of synergy and common innovative product.