U-SIA ROUNDTABLE | Professional College of Tirana

This roundtable was organized in the framework of WP1 and it aimed to be an open discussion between the actors of academia, research, students, and business. The meeting was held on the premises of the Professional College of Tirana, on June 2^nd, 2021. The event aims to be an open discussion between the actors of academia, research, students, and business: their insights and perspective how they feel and see the collaboration and relation between the HEI and business, what are the needs and challenges, how the collaboration can be promoted and improved in order to address the needs and face the challenges.

The discussion will help address and identify the needs of the actors involved, gather relevant qualitative data for the project, create synergies between the actors, and provide steps for improvement. Also, it may be well noted that it will create awareness about the project’s outcomes.

Researchers/academics, (head of the department, lecturers, etc.) members of administrative staff, students of the Professional College of Tirana, and some from KPT’s valuable and supportive business partners (namely “Mane TCI” company, “ISEC” Company, Alb – Matrix, “Fushe Krujë /Elbasan” Cement Factory joined the discussion.

The collaboration with business/industry is considered a crucial part of the growth strategy of KPT since its establishment. Attention is paid to increase this collaboration from the qualitative and quantitative point of view, in the private and public sectors. In any case, the collaboration is formalized in a written instrument.

Media appears to be a bit far when private HEI is concerned unless it is a more win-win situation, important topics raised to the public attention, and paying media for its services at the same time. However, the staff is always encouraged to research and publish. KPT has an agreement in place with a media that supports their publishing.

Suggestions:

1. Frequent meeting between involved stakeholder (HEI, business partners, state institutions) should be held in order to establish common interest agenda and to keep it updated as well.
2. Training and open lectures, should be provided to both businesses to keep up with new trends, techniques etc. and to students in the same time.
3. On field visits should be a valuable asset to the students and the academia to better understand the market other needs and as a way to improvement.
4. Establishing a specific unit to better coordinate these multifold relations and needs within the HEI.
5. Intervention should be done at policy level, including financial / tax incentives in order to encourage business / industry to offer something more to the HEI, and to students (i.e tax facilities for the business that support students, internships and also in terms of improved salaries to the employees).