MJAFT and Shkodra University Sign Anti-corruption Memorandum of Understanding

MJAFT

03 November 2006

Under initiative of MJAFT Movement, with the support by IRSH (Young Intellectuals� Hope), a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to fight corruption in Shkodra University.

With the Memorandum, the MJAFT Movement and �Luigj Gurakuqi� University committed themselves to cooperation in the combat against the corruption as well as to generate strategies in the fight against corruptive practices by returning, thus, the people�s trust in the institutions.

The Memorandum was signed at the Office of the Chancellor, by Mahir Hoti, the Rector, Erion Velia, on behalf of MJAFT and Blendi Dibra, for IRSH, in the presence of deans, professors and students of the University.

�This undertaking was not at all easy because first and foremost it has to do with the concept that is deeply hidden in everybody�s conscience and minds�, said Hoti.

He added that the fight against corruption will be long, following many similar actions at the university. Rector Hoti also emphasized that the legal authority to fight the corruption rests on other, competent bodies, and not the Universtity itself.

�We are conscious of this phenomenon but without proofs we can not precede legally. Thus, our concrete idea reported even to World Bank was to place a box at the facilities of the University of Shkodra in which students can report their complaints, concerns and accusations�, said Veliaj.

According to Veliaj, there will be a commission consisting of the rector, students and professors who will investigate the cases. However, Veliaj made it clear that that this project does not at all intend to substitute for the court but we hope that this has got a psychological effect on them.

The University of Shkodra ranks second among other major universities in the country as far as the corruption is concerned. This project, together with a similar project in Tirana, is considered a pilot-project by the contracting parties.