Despite recent improvements in its Corruption Perceptions Index, Albania continues to struggle with systemic corruption, now increasingly evident within its public universities. An investigation by Tirana Times raises questions about the internal mechanisms for detecting, reporting, and preventing corruption within these institutions. The article highlights concerns about governance, public administration, healthcare, and higher education as key areas affected by corrupt practices. While Albania recently moved up 18 places to rank 80th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s index, the issue remains a significant barrier to development and European integration. The report suggests a lack of effective internal controls within universities to address illicit activities, such as inflated project costs – exemplified by questionable funding for infrastructure like auditoriums. This lack of oversight threatens the integrity of the higher education system and hinders Albania’s progress. Further investigation is needed to determine the extent of the problem and potential solutions.