The High Pedagogical Institute (HPI), the first High Educational School after that of Tirana, was established on 02.10.1957 based on the wonderful traditions of a prosperous country (Decree nr 150 of the Ministers' Council, date: 18.04.1957).
It has been one of the most important institutions and the biggest centre of education, scientific research and culture of Northern Albania.

The University of Shkodra has passed through many phases:
The Pedagogical Institute was a two academic year studies Institute from 1957 to 1970. Initially there were two branches: Linguistic-Literature-History branch and Physics- Mathematics branch. In the academic year 1962-1963 the Biology-Geography branch was opened and it was the only institution which could qualify primary school teachers for Albania. During this period 4505 teachers were qualified in both systems (full-time and part-time systems).
From 1970 to 1982, it functioned as a three year studies High Pedagogical Institute. There were four branches as follow: Linguistic- Literature, Geography- History, Mathematics- Physics and Biology -Chemistry branch. In 1981 the Elementary Teachers branch was opened (this branch prepared elementary school teachers). During this period 3169 teachers were qualified for both systems.
For nine years, from 1982/1983- 1990/1991, it functioned as four year academic studies High Pedagogical Institute. 1912 teachers were qualified during this period for both systems. The High Pedagogical Institute of Shkodra was named "Luigj Gurakuqi" (a famous patriot and scholar) by the decree of Ministers' Council Nr 124 date: 01.04.1989.
The High Pedagogical Institute' status changed to University of Shkodra, "Luigj Gurakuqi" by the Ministers' Council decree Nr 124, on 28.05.1991. Since then this University has undergone different changes and developments on different aspects. During this period the following faculties opened Law Faculty (1992), Economic Faculty with three branches (Business -Administration 1994, Accounting - Finance 2000, Marketing- Tourism 2001), Foreign Languages Faculty with four branches (English studies- 1994, German Studies- 1996, Italian studies 1998 and French Studies- 2005). Some others branches that are opened are as follow: Pre- Elementary teacher (1996), General Nursery (2001), Informatics (2002), Psychology (2004), Social Work (2005), Physical training and sports (2006), Communication- Mass media (2006), Midwifery (2007) and Physiotherapy (2007) for a total of 24 branches. 7434 students have been graduated under the current system.
During these years The High Pedagogical Institute has had consulting centres and its own branches all around Albania. It has played a great role on the consolidation of the educational system in Albania. The High Pedagogical Institute has had its own branches in Elbasan, Gjirokaster, Korçë, Berat, Durrës, Fier, Vlorë and consulting centres in Tiranë, Peshkopi and Sarandë. The Pedagogical Institutes of Gjirokastra and Elbasan were opened on the strategy of these Branches.

The University of Tirana has thereby organised its own branches at the Pedagogical Institute of Shkodra since 1996. 585 students have been graduated from the following branches: Veterinary Medicine, Economic- Accountability, Economic -Planning, Electrical Engineering and Construction Engineering.

In these 50 years "Luigj Gurakuqi" University of Shkodra has qualified 17 605 students who work on different fields of sciences, knowledge and leading structures by giving an invaluable help to our national educational system.

The University of Shkodra, "Luigj Gurakuqi" has provided strong collaborative relations with international universities, different foundations, organizations and associations. In this framework the University has signed several collaboration agreements and protocols on mutual interest fields. The University of Shkodra has singed collaboration agreements with:

University of Zagreb, Croatia 21.01.2014,
University Consortium Africa and Mediterrean C.U.A.M 20.01.2014,
Ordu University, Turkey - 08.06.2013
University of Tennessee (Chattanooga, USA) - 24.05.2013
University of Agriculture and Rural Development (Bulgaria) - 24.05.2013
University of Zagreb (Croatia), Teaching Faculty - 24.05.2013
University "Sacred Heart" (USA) - 24.05.2013
University College Prizren - 24.05.2013
"Fame" College (Kosovo) - 24.05.2013
University of Warsaw, Poland 27.06.2012.
University of Agora, Romania 07.06.2011.
University of Bicocca, Italy 18.04.2011,
Alps-Adriatic Rectors Conference (AARC), 14.05.2011,
University of Padova, Italy 25.11.2010,
International University of Tirana 28.10.2010,
Alliance of Central- Eastern European Universities. 23.09.2010,
Libera Facolta di Scienze Turistiche, Italy- 27.05.2010,
Metropolitan State College of Denver- 03.05.2010,
Belgrade University (Serbia)- 19.03.2010,
Petrosani University (Romania) 11.06.2009,
Gaziantiep University (Republic of Turkey) 08.05.2009,
Saint Etienne University (France) 21.10.2008,
"Karl Franzens" University of Graz -1993. This agreement is renewed on June. 16. 2008,
Klagenfurt University (Austria) - 1998. This agreement is renewed on 25.09.2009,
Sandhills Community College South Carolina (USA) - This agreement was frist signed on May. 8. 2008 and renewed on 28.102013 ,
Florence University (Italy) - 2002. This agreement is renovated on November .7 .2007,
Agder University (Norway)- 2007,
Sarajevo University (Bosnia- Herzegovina) - 2007,
Parma University (Italy) - 2007,
Pisa University (Italy) -2006,
Pécs University (Hungary) 2006,
Pristina University (Kosovo) -2005,
Podgorica University (Monte Negro) -2004, renewed every year.
Bologna University (Italy) -1994.
The collaboration among the University of Shkodra and other International homologue universities or institutions is based on many aspects. The most important aspects are: Academic staff mobility to exchange experiences on documentation and literature (in the framework of the implementation of the Bologna Process), the organization of mutual activities in supporting the qualification of the academic staff, compiling and applying mutual projects, organizing mutual scientific conferences or activities, student mobility etc.
Another very important aspect is the participation of the University Shkodra in bilateral or multilateral projects. During these years the University of Shkodra has participated in many projects. The largest projects are:

-Tempus Joint Project CCNURCA: 54416–TEMPUS–1–2013-1-BE-TEMPUS-JPCR

-Tempus Joint Project, “Developing third mission activities in Albanian Universities”- Tempus-1-2012-1-ES---Tempus-Amhesip 02.

-Tempus Joint Project , “Quality in Research” - 517097-Tempus-1-2011-1-Ba-Tempus-Jpgr

In the framework of the Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window, the University of Shkodra implemented the "BASILEUS" project and is implementing SIGMA project. Through these projects has been stimulated the mobility of academic staff and students exchange.

SEE Doctoral Studies in Mathematical Sciences.

Tempus project "Progetto Albania" project (1995-2005). This project was leaded and financed by Tuscany Region (Italy) and with the participation of Florence University, MURST, FORMEZ, INDIRE, UNOPS- PASSARP, MAE. The objective of this project was to use the intercollegiate collaboration as a complex model of inter-institutional collaboration for the local development.
Tempus Project IB JEP- 17018- 2002 "Public Administration and Management in Shkoder" PAMS approved and financed in 2002. The objective of this project was Institution Building and had two fundamental aspects: The implementation of university curricula in the Faculty of Law with the objective to train the professors and the administration employees. The establishment of a Training Centre for training and updating the public administration employees.
Tempus Project JEP- 15054-2000 "The Model of a European Judge" with time duration of two years 2000-2002 and the objective of this project was to train the judges. In this course there were trained 30 judges from Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina and Macedonia. Since 2004 The High Pedagogical School of Soloturn (Switzerland) has been engaged in the project in partnership with the University of Shkodra (Educational Sciences Faculty mainly with the Elementary and Pre- elementary teacher Branch). The objective of the project is to exchange reciprocal educational experiences mainly in Elementary and Pre- elementary schools. It is important to stress the fact that students have directly been engaged in this project.
The Conference of German Rectors and Heilderberg University financed the project titled "Ecosystem research of Shkodra Lake". This is a scientific project on Environmental issues and it is applied through the collaboration among The University of Shkodra, The University of Graz, The University of Podgorica and The University of Heidelberg.Since 2005 the University of Shkodra has applied in CEEPUS network and has been recruited into two following networks:
Social Sciences Faculty:CH-RO-0014-02-0607-Ro 130/ -Borders and Borderlines in Cultural Anthropology in the university education. CII- CZ-0029-02- 0607- Idea of European Culture, History and Politic Economic Faculty:CII-At-0068-02-0607- Amadeus
Some other institutions that have given a great contribution are: SOROS foundation (offering scholarships, financial and technical assistance), DAAD from TEMPUS programme, "Madonnina del Grappa" Foundation in Florence (this foundation has played a great role on the establishment of Typing Centre of University, the establishment of Physiotherapy branch at University and in many other aspects).