University of Corrupted Sciences (Albania)

In 2019, the Center for Artistic Activism’s training equipped activists from the Balkans with innovative strategies to make activism more impactful, emphasizing audience engagement and interaction. Anti-corruption activists like Migen Qiraxhi learned to design actions involving the public and centering audiences—a key aspect highlighted throughout the training.

The University of Corrupted Sciences was a campaign that resulted from this training, a satirical initiative launched by activists in Albania to address academic corruption. On the International Day of Education, the activists awarded mock diplomas to citizens, symbolizing the ease with which fraudulent degrees were obtained in the Albanian education system, where titles and diplomas were often exchanged for money.

The campaign’s humorous approach quickly gained public attention and media coverage, with TV hosts even receiving diplomas during interviews, reinforcing the ironic message. This unconventional strategy highlighted the risks of corruption in education while making the issue accessible to the public. The campaign achieved greater visibility through humor and interaction than traditional activism and sparked meaningful conversations, demonstrating the power of creative activism to engage citizens and promote social change.

“This playful approach was new in our environment, especially for civil society. It created a unique energy that drew both the public and journalists to our message.”

— Migen Qiraxhi, Civil Society Advocate, Albania