Kwalifikim

Kwalifikim is an Albanian noun that refers to a formal qualification, certification, or recognition of a person's competence in a specific field. The term derives from the verb “kwalifikon” meaning “to qualify,” and is analogous to the English word “qualification.” In everyday use, kwalifikim can denote a variety of achievements: academic degrees, professional licenses, technical certificates, and even informal skills that are officially acknowledged.

In the Albanian education system, kwalifikim is applied to the completion of compulsory schooling, where students receive a “karta e kwalifikimit” (qualification card) certifying they have met national standards. Higher education institutions award diplomas that signify kwalifikimin akademik, which is required for further studies or employment in certain professions. Professional bodies issue kwalifikimin of special certification, such as medicine, law, engineering, or IT, granting the holder the legal right to practice.

The concept is also used in public administration, where employees need a kwalifikim for promotion or for eligibility for specific civil service roles. In the European context, qualifications are increasingly linked to the European Qualifications Framework, facilitating mobility and recognition across borders.

Because kwalifikim is a core element of credentialing systems, it is subject to ongoing regulation. Recent reforms aim to standardize criteria, improve transparency, and align Albanian qualifications with international benchmarks.