AIRI@UTCN and Western Balkans

AIRI@UTCN aims to become an institute where English is the official working language. The first step is to ensure that each of its 33 laboratories includes a researcher from abroad. Alongside partnerships across the EU and Asia, we see the Western Balkans as a strategic region for AI cooperation: strong talent, growing ecosystems, and shared priorities. In this line, on 16 February 2026 we were pleased to welcome representatives of “Aleksandër Moisiu” University of Durrës (Albania): Prof. Dr. Shkelqim Fortuzi, Rector Prof. Dr. Azeta Tartaraj Prof.Dr., Vice-Rector for Internationalization We were also honored by the presence of H.E. Enkeleda Mërkuri, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Romania, who joined the meeting and underlined the importance of academic and scientific bridges in the region. If your institution or lab is interested in AI collaboration across the Western Balkans–EU corridor, let’s connect.