Massivization of Higher Education: Evidence from Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia

Abstract

There is a significant expansion of universities in the Western Balkans and an increasing number of students enrolled. In a region where economic growth is sluggish and youth unemployment is high, education is one of the key proxies to determine future development. This rapid expansion of universities has not been accompanied by the provision of resources to maintain ambitious standards, quality, and relevance. This study examines the factors leading to a deterioration of education quality, tackling teaching competencies, infrastructure, and professors‟ ethics. Using original data, this study investigates the HE quality from the perspective of two main stakeholders – professors and students – in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. The study points out to outdated teaching methods, lack of enrolment quotas and skill mismatch with the labour market. It all boils down to low institutional monitoring criteria and lack of admission quotas, creating space for unethical behaviour and massivization of HE.