The Ministry of Education and Sports is the state authority presiding over Higher Education and Sports in Albania. In terms of science, it supports the activities of the relevant state institutions and of the personnel serving in these institutions. It encourages the development of scientific and technological activities even outside the state institutions, supporting a range of private (organisations and persons), domestic and foreign entities and NGOs and agencies etc, which are specifically concerned with scientific research in Albania. The state policies regarding scientific research and technological development activities are considered to be an integral part of the country's general economic and social development policies.