University of Medicine, Tirana (UMT), a Public Non-Profit University is the biggest Albanian research centre covering all medical and life-sciences, including areas of disease prevention and health promotion
Formally established in January 2013, it enrolled Faculties and Research Institutions formerly being part of a very large University called Tirana University. It yet, dates back 75+ years ago when medical university curricula was developed and implemented at the
Higher Medical Institute.
Since 2016, the University of Medicine, Tirana is composed by three faculties:
- Faculty of Medicine, where Pharmacy and Public Health programs are also implemented;
- Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences and
- Faculty of Dental Medicine.
Including 7000+ students in 65+ programs from Bachelor level to Postgraduate Residency and Doctorate programs, UMT has a full time and part time staff of 650+ teachers, with 90+% of around 300 full time academic staff holding Ph.D and/or Professorate titles.
40+ international funded projects in the last years, including Horison, Erasmus+, COST, making UMT a leading research institution in the country cooperating through specific agreements with Universities and Medical Faculties in Region, Europe and US.
A number of programs have high application rates with admission rate of less than 10% in the Medical Faculty for the General Medicine graduation.
Ariel Çomo M.D.
Ariel Çomo, Professor of Psychiatry at the Tirana Medical University, is currently Head of Department of Neuroscience at the Faculty of Medicine and Clinical Head of Psychiatry Division and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Tirana University Hospital Center “Mother Tereza”. Member of the National Steering Committee on Mental Health, a consultative Committee for the Minister of Health and member of working group on developing inter-sectorial strategy on Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Since 2010 is Scientific and Research Director of the Tirana Regional Center on Autism. Dr. Çomo received M.D. in 1994 and postgraduate residency in Psychiatry in 1999 at the Tirana Faculty of Medicine, specialization course in Child Neuropsychiatry at the University of Pavia, Italy, the doctoral degree on ‘Trans-generational Transmission of Trauma’ at the Tirana University. During 2011 - 2016 postdoc fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, on the "Research Training Socio-Economics of Mental Health Delivery in South Eastern Europe" at The Nicholas C. Petris Center.
Enita Metaj, MD
Enita Metaj, MD, is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist practicing in the community mental health system in Tirana. She specialized in child and adolescent psychiatry in 2022, after graduating in general medicine from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine Tirana, in 2013.
With three years of experience in Albania's health management system, Enita has built a solid foundation in healthcare delivery. Since January 2024, she has been pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Medicine, focusing on neurodevelopmental disorders within the penitentiary system. Her research aims to address the mental health challenges faced by young individuals and their impact on adult life.
Tedi Mana, MSc
Tedi Mana, MSc Clinical Psychology, PhD Student in Mental Health. Academic Staff, Department of Communication Science and Public Health at Tirana Medical University (UMT). Clinical Psychologist at Neuroscience Integrated Unit, Psychiatric Division, Tirana University Hospital Center Mother Tereza. Consulting on individual assistance plans, therapeutic interventions in a community environment, and follow-up. His main focus is on social rehabilitation and Respect Human Rights of inpatients with mental health conditions. He is the author of many reports and training manuals regarding the Protection of Human Rights Principles in vulnerable groups in restricted settings/environments.
Rozela Tarazhi, MD
Rozela Tarazhi, MD has recently specialized in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Tirana University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”. She graduated with a degree in general medicine in 2019 from the University of Medicine, Tirana.
Dr. Rozela has actively participated in numerous national and international research and training programs in psychiatry, including those offered by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), Fondazione Child, and Health for All. Despite being at the beginning of her clinical research career, her determination to pursue knowledge and career development has driven her to advance in the research field.
Elira Papa, MSc
Elira Papa, academic staff support at the Psychiatry Division, Department of Neuroscience, Tirana Medical University. She graduated as an Agrarian Economist and obtained a Master of Science in Agribusiness in 2009 from the Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania. In 2014, she earned her PM degree in Rural Development and Sustainable Environment from the same university.
While working at the Faculty of Medicine, Elira's interests expanded into medical fields, leading her to obtain a PM degree in Health Management from the University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
MSc. Papa has been involved in numerous projects addressing environmental and health issues.