Balkan Research Center is a center operating under the umbrella of the Institute for European and Balkan Studies within the body of the Turkish Maarif Foundation, the University of New York in Tirana.
The Turkish Maarif Foundation, which was established with Law No. 6721 dated 17.06.2016, is the only institution that has the authority to directly open an education institution abroad on behalf of the Republic of Turkey, other than the Ministry of National Education. While the Foundation currently operates in 67 countries, it carries out educational activities in 49 countries. 48,683 students study in 424 different educational institutions operating within the foundation. The Foundation, with the authority it receives from the law, conducts scientific research, carries out research and development studies on educational methods, content, and curriculum, and supports the studies, making periodic and non-periodical publications in this framework, organizing symposiums, conferences, and workshops, and cooperates with institutions and organizations operating in this field.
University of New York Tirana (UNYT), the first private university established in Albania in 2002, has been a part of the Turkish Maarif Foundation since 2018. UNYT provides English undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education in nine departments and three faculties, namely the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, the Faculty of Economics and Finance, and the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences.
UNYT Center for Balkan Studies aims to strengthen the ancient friendships and historical and cultural ties between the Balkan countries and Turkey; It aims to implement Turkish-Balkan projects for common interests, organize international symposiums and scientific conferences in these areas, and support archive, library, and field research of Turkish and Balkan academicians and students.