In Albania, the reform of Higher Education (HE) system in the light of the wider process of European harmonisation and the needs of its own society and job market, is considered a major step in the transition to a modern open-market economy and in becoming fully part of the European system. In fact, Albania signed the Bologna Declaration in Berlin 2003 and is implementing it.
As of 2004/05 all HE institutions offer programs based on two cycles and are asked to introduce ECTS. The Diploma Supplement is also being implemented. The Academy of Sport and Physical Education (PE) of Tirana, founded as an autonomous HE institution in 1958, is the only Albanian university in the area, offering a 4yr program ending with a Diploma as PE teacher. Most speak English and Italian, but international contacts have been very limited, and no institutional involvement in cooperative projects has been possible so far. In Albania, it has been a policy of the government to encourage HE and support most of the university costs (students only pay a small tuition), but research has not been well supported, and this is one of the issues to be faced as the reform is implemented.
Yet, the curriculum at the Academy was tailored for PE teachers, and in fact most graduates seek a position as such, or as physical trainers for the Police or the Army. But the job market is rapidly changing. Similarly to other European countries, the demand of teachers is considerably decreasing, while there is a growing number of Fitness/Wellness clubs, hotels & resorts equipped with a health center, facilities for recreation, rehabilitation, the elderly, adapted sport for diseased or disabled. In conclusion, a systematic revision of the curriculum and study cycles is mandatory to meet the new requirements of the Albanian society and job market, and this can now finally be done in the context of the wider reform of HE in Albania, in line with the requirements of the Bologna Process and in the context of the country's eagerness to being part of the European integration process.

1. Involving the graduates and operators in the sport sector.
   A leaflet describing the project in Albanian will be distributed or sent out to hundreds of graduating students, graduates and operators, including Sport Federations, sport or health clubs, hotels and resorts, and related organisations.
    
2. Promoting the project with schools, academic contexts and health operators, and disseminating the information throughout.
   A specific dissemination action will be undertaken in year 2 on the occasion of the Intensive Course and of the final visit of EUP Faculty for the dissertation session and the definition of the postgraduate curriculum.

The Tempus funding is needed to support the transformation process. Once this is accomplished, no special measures will be needed to ensure the sustainability of what has been implemented:

• the reform will have upgraded the Academy to fuller University status, with an increased budget;
• the Library, computer lab, and the other structures, services and administrative procedures implemented will remain in place and be regularly supported and maintained through the institution's ordinary budget;
• the upgrading of study programs and teaching skills, technologies and presentations will have taken place through the teachers training sessions, as will the mobility program and Faculty upgrading through the European Master, and have become a new asset for the institution.
• the new undergraduate curriculum will replace the previous one and be offered on a regular basis;
• the postgraduate curriculum will have been developed and be ready to be offered once it is accredited by the Ministry and funded;
• the market operators and other social parties will be more involved and motivated, the value of physical activity in health and prevention will be more widely recognised, and this will result in wider occupability of graduates, possible external funding, higher numbers of students, and related budget increases.

The project will be closely monitored by the Grant Coorinator, whose institution has a special Tempus office being involved in several such projects, as well as by the Grant Applicant and other European Partner. In particular, and in addition to regular contacts between Grant Coorinator, Grant Applicant and Partner Country, the following evaluation measures will be taken:

• Bimonthly Reports. The timing and description of the various achievements will be detailed out in a report every two months.
   
• Coordinating Meetings. The situation will then be discussed in detail at each of the 4 Coordinating Meetings.
   
• Six-monthly Reports. Reports will prepared by the Grant Coordinator, in consultation with Grant Applicant, every six months and circulated to all partners.
   
• European Partner Reviews. Further discussions of the reports and a general assessment of the accomplishments and their quality will take place at the time of the 2 European Partner visits to Tirana.
   
• Final Report. At the time of the last European Partner visit to Tirana, a general evaluation will take place and a Final Report will be issued. The Final Report will be drafted by the Grant Coorinator and approved by all partners at the meeting.