Meeting with the President of Albania
On the occasion of the Year of Gjergj Kastriot “Skanderbeg” and International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March 2018, students, beneficiaries of Roma Versitas Albania, had a meeting with the President of Albania his Excellency Mr. Ilir Meta.
The purpose of this meeting was to build bridges of communication and collaboration with governmental institutions. Main discussions took place over the difficulties of the Roma community in their everyday life, overall the integration limitations and the struggles of Roma students during their studies.
Students deliberately requested the support of the President to join their advocacy campaign for free Master studies for Roma students. Just in year 2016-2017 Roma students were paying 50% of the study fee but in the new academic year the universities require full study fee. This is not affordable for most of Roma families and this is not supporting but limiting the integration. Students also asked for special scholarship program from the President each academic year. Such program should be provided to 6-7 Roma students so they will be able to pay the Master’s degree studies.
On 11 May 2018, four Roma students met the President for the second time to continue the communication and discuss further the advocacy support they can secure on the scholarships matters. As an act of gratitude, a Roma flag and a souvenir the contain the symbols of Albania, like the eagle and Scanderbeg, and the chakra the Roma flag symbol, was bestowed to the President by the Roma students. Communication with the office of the President of the Republic will continue for follow-up on the discussed ideas
