 |
| A medical student in Tirana holding a banner where she writes about the slavery of future doctors in Albania |
The University of Medicine's rectorate has agreed to students' requests to wait for the Constitutional Court's decision regarding mandatory employment contracts after graduation. Following this decision, students have put an end to their boycott.
Medical students suspended their boycott on Monday after a month-long protest, following the university's rector agreeing to their demands, which were expressed during the protests, and suspending the implementation of the law requiring them to sign employment contracts until the Constitutional Court's decision. Students had filed a lawsuit against the law passed in Parliament concerning mandatory employment after graduation, claiming it violated the constitution.
"Today, a meeting took place between medical students and the university's rectorate, where the students requested not to be presented with any contract until a final decision by the Constitutional Court. This request was accepted by the University of Medicine's rector, Prof. Arben Gjata," stated Kristi Trako, a representative of medical students at the University of Medicine's Academic Senate.
Protests by medical students began in June when the possibility of a bill was discussed that would require them to work in Albania for at least five years after graduation. This bill was later approved in Parliament on July 21, 2023.
After almost a month of boycott by the students, the university's rectorate has also agreed to replace the lost class hours.
"The rectorate has guaranteed that they will prepare a plan to make up for the lost hours and that they will hold a meeting with the Ministry of Education. However, there is still no specific date set for this last meeting," stated Gevio Tabaku, head of the National Student Board, to BIRN.
On the other hand, students have agreed to return to classes, but they will keep an eye on the promises made by the rectorate.
"There is a kind of trust in the institutional response, but it will still be kept in mind all along the way," said Kristi Trako.