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Posted May 1, 2026

From Albania to the UK: My Chevening journey in Drug Discovery

Masters in Drug Discovery

I am Jozef Shiroka, a young man from Albania, born and raised in Shkoder. I completed my undergraduate studies in pharmacy at the University of Medicine in Tirana. Coming from a family with a medical background, and with both my grandparents being pharmacists, naturally influenced me to follow this academic pathway.

During my five years of pharmacy education, I built a solid academic foundation and developed a deeper curiosity about how everything comes together in designing medicines. After graduating, I worked for two years in the pharmaceutical field as a pharmacist, this experience allowed me to apply my knowledge in practice and gain insight into the realities of healthcare and pharmaceutical services. Over time, it also helped me understand where my true passion lies; not only in working within the field, but in contributing to its advancement through research and innovation.

However, seeing the lack of scientific research opportunities in Albania always made me curious to pursue education abroad.

Chevening Scholar Jozef ShirokaI first learned about the Chevening Scholarship around two to three years before I graduated. From that moment, I was inspired by the idea of studying in the United Kingdom, home to some of the world’s leading universities in pharmaceutical sciences and many other fields. Chevening represented more than simply funding for a masters degree; it represented access to a global network of future leaders and a community built on shared ambition, leadership and impact. This is extremely important for my future ambitions and plans.

The application process for Chevening was both structured and demanding. It required four essays, each focusing on different aspects of my profile: leadership, networking, career plan and university choice. This process pushed me to reflect deeply on my personal and professional journey. I was motivated to clearly articulate my vision in drug discovery and explain how my academic background and professional experience had shaped my goals.

My leadership experience played an important role in this process. During my university years, I developed teamwork and communication skills through group projects. In addition, my experience as a swimming coach helped me grow as a leader. It taught me adaptability, discipline and the importance of valuing different perspectives. It also strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, make decisions under pressure and build meaningful connections with people.

My career vision has always been clear: to develop expertise in drug discovery and pharmaceutical innovation and contribute to improving healthcare outcomes. This clarity gave strength to my application and demonstrated my long-term commitment to making an impact in the field.

At the same time by choosing a drug discovery masters, I realised that not only was it the right choice, but it will also help me much more than I initially thought in achieving my goals.

Choosing my UK university in Bath was also a thoughtful decision, based not only on rankings but also on research focus, academic strengths and the magnificent beauty of the city of Bath itself.

Being selected as a Chevening Scholar marks a major turning point in my journey. It represents the transition from local experience to global opportunity, from ambition to action.

My honest advice for future applicants would be to have a clear idea of how you want to improve your country, and that this vision should be aligned with your background. You must be confident that you can be the change that is needed. Everything comes down to connecting all the dots to have a clear vision and a detailed plan for your future in your home country.

This plan should be strongly connected with the skills and knowledge you gain in the UK. Leadership and networking skills will continue to develop during your time in the UK, and these will be extremely beneficial for the years ahead.

I wish all future Chevening applicants the very best of luck and success in their journeys. Stay committed, stay focused and trust the process. Every effort you put in will bring you one step closer to your goals.

Chevening Scholar Jozef ShirokaAuthor’s bio: Jozef Shiroka born in 2001 in Shkodër, Albania, is a pharmacist with a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Medicine, Tirana, where he graduated in 2024. He has two years of professional experience in the pharmaceutical sector, during which he developed a strong interest in drug design and chemistry.

Jozef is currently a Chevening Scholar pursuing a masters degree in Drug Discovery at the University of Bath. He also works as a swimming coach at a local pool in Shkodër. His interest in reading history and politics has contributed to shaping his character. His long-term goal is to contribute to strengthening research capacity and pharmaceutical innovation in Albania.

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