The Academy of Sciences and public universities are under investigation for tender abuses. The Public Procurement Agency is seeking disciplinary measures for dozens of employees. The Civic Resistance warns that higher education should not become a hotbed of clientelism.
Post by Civic Resistance
For years, Civic Resistance has raised the alarm that higher education institutions and the Academy of Sciences have become centers of tender abuse.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, 7 Public Universities spent a total of 58 million Euros, with 57% of the money going to personnel expenses and only 0.17% going to Scientific Research.
After the Academy of Sciences tenders were reviewed, the Public Procurement Agency has requested disciplinary action against 7 Academy of Sciences employees for shortcomings identified in the decision.
Also, the PPA, in support of articles 23/e and 132, point 3, of Law No. 162/2020 "On Public Procurement", decided to propose to the University of Elbasan to take disciplinary measures against 8 (eight) persons, identified as responsible for deficiencies found in the decisions.
At the University of Shkodra, the Public Procurement Authority has found serious illegalities in 9 tenders, from the drafting of specifications to the evaluation of the winners, while disciplinary measures have been proposed for 20 employees of the "Luigj Gurakuqi" University found responsible for violations and shortcomings found in the decision.
Civic Resistance raises the alarm that universities cannot be hotbeds of clientelism, but must become centers of knowledge and progress.
