Dr. Mirlinda Karçanaj was born in Tirana, Albania, to a family of honored professors of their time.
She studied Computer Science and earned both BA, MA and PhD degrees from the University of Tirana, with excellent results. Being that she graduated with honors, she got appointed as a full-time lecturer of Information and Communication Technology subjects at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana for 6 years.
Simultaneously, she was working as a programmer, database manager and IT expert for various international organizations, projects and local companies. During this time, she also attended various trainings in algorithm and IT in France and Germany.
Upon moving to Canada, Ms. Karcanaj worked for 5 years as an IT manager for local private companies in Ontario, managing data processing and analytics and providing expertise and IT solutions in operational work processes.
After returning to Albania, Mrs. Karçanaj held the position of Director of Information Technology in the Municipality of Tirana for 4 years, being the initiator of the integration of ICT in the local government administration. In this period, she led the digitalization of work processes in the largest municipality of Albania.
Further on, she returned as a full-time lecturer of ICT subjects, at the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana for 3 years.
For the past 10 years, Mrs. Karçanaj has led the Albanian National Agency of Information Society, holding the position of the General Director. She has successfully implemented the digital revolution of transforming public services through the e-Albania governmental platform. Today, 95% of public services are provided online-only through the e-Albania platform, changing the mindset and means of access between the citizens and state institutions, emphasizing the importance of digitalization of services and the modernization of public administration.
Mrs. Karcanaj has shown her leadership and managerial skills in the design of integrated systems in education, e-Health, transport, consular services, tax and customs services for businesses, thus improving citizens’ quality of life by saving them time and money in reduced costs and fees. She has continually led investments in developing electronic systems, digitalizing physical archives, improving physical infrastructures, equipping the relevant stakeholders with an electronic seal or signature, etc.
Currently, Ms. Karçanaj is committed to paving the way for implementation of emerging technologies in public administration such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, big data and analytics and blockchain. Her upcoming challenges include implementing plans on fostering a community of programmers with state-of-the-art training in Albania, thus addressing the lack of professional workforce and helping the youth obtain ready for-the-job skills.
Under the administration of Mrs. Karçanaj, NAIS has been internationally praised by the United Nations, the European Union, the US Department of State, ReSPA and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the success of digital governance, making Albania a leader in the region.
