On June 9, a roundtable focusing on the exploration and enhancement of the collaboration between the University and the society was held at the premises of Aleksandër Moisiu University of Durrës.The meeting was organized in the framework of “?????????? ?? ??????? ????????????? ?? ???????: C?-?????????? ?? ????????? ??? ???????? ???? ???????” (USIA) project.
For the purposes of this focus group, Aleksandër Moisiu University brought together a variety of actors:
Aleksandër Moisiu University Rector, Prof. Dr. Kseanela Sotirofski and academicians;
The Director of the Durrës Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Alban Isteri;
The President of the “Union of Journalists” for Durrës, Mrs. Vali Qyrfyçi;
representatives of the Durrës Port Authority, the Municipality, the Prefecture, civil society, and the media.
SCiDEV representatives:
Blerjana Bino – SCiDEV Co-founder
Erida Curraj – SCiDEV representative, expert
Abi Dodbiba – SCiDEV representative, researcher
During the meeting, the challenges for a wider and more sustainable relationship of the University with society, as well as ideas on the participation of all local actors in community services were discussed.
The main topics discussed in the meeting were:
Perception of researchers regarding the cooperation between scientific research and other actors such as business sector, policy makers, civil society and media in Albania and are they part of such cooperation; How can this cooperation be improved; What are the motivating factors, obstacles, challenges..
Is there a gap between the private sector and research? If so, why? Why research is not considered as one of the instruments that can help further development of the private sector /other actors;
How can research be further promoted in order to be considered the most valuable guide in consultation moments;
The role of the higher education institution in this cooperation;
Immediate and long-term benefits benefits of this cooperation;
At the end of USIA WP1, a report on the promotion and cooperation between scientific research and the aforementioned actors will be published.
Other discussions and conclusions made by participants are:
New programs have been opened at UAMD based on market analysis and needs
Curricula are continuously updated according to the needs of the market
Businesses in Albania are not mature, however, in the last years they have started feeling themselves more near to the universities and collaboration is increasing
The university should play a crucial role in development of Durres city especially
The university should produce not only job ready people but also life-ready people
Students are quite active in environment and social life-related issues
Chamber of Commerce in Durres has collaborated for years with UAMD, the recent activity being the Career Fair which will be organized by both parties
Businesses need middle and high-level specialists
Even though the university tries to increase the collaboration with businesses, there are still challenges to be solved in terms of long-term sustainability and reliability
UAMD should focus more on tourism
Experts look forward to going abroad, there is a low interest in research by the society
The collaboration should not remain in paper only, it should go further and events like this one which also promote and increase awareness of this collaboration should be organized more often
There is a need to create Technology Transfer Offices in the university so that research of academic staff can be transferred to the society and related bodies.
Media should be more active in what is offered by universities and the research done.