The Albanian Academic Network (RASH - Academic Network of Albania), Mandated Organisation of the EOSC Association, has been at the forefront of building national capacities for Open Science in Albania, navigating a landscape of limited resources with determination and growing national interest.

In a recent interview with EOSC-A, Dr. Arjan Xhelaj, CEO and Chairman of RASH, discusses how the organisation is:

• 🔗 Forging partnerships across Europe to support research and data sharing

• 🎓 Raising awareness through training and capacity-building initiatives

• 🏛️ Integrating Open Science into Albania’s academic and digital transformation agendas

Despite structural challenges, the vision remains bold: to position Open Science as a strategic asset—boosting the visibility, collaboration, and innovation capacity of Albanian universities and institutions. What’s next? Strengthening national nodes within universities, embedding Open Science in institutional frameworks, and launching initiatives such as an EOSC Info Day to spark political and public engagement.