Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Module “Embracing EU Digital Agenda: Challenges and Opportunities of Digital Transformation in Albania with Dr. Erjon Curraj (leader)” /Project N° 620012-EPP-1-2020-1-AL-EPPJMO-MODULE

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/620012-EPP-1-2020-1-AL-EPPJMO-MODULE

https://digitalbania.eu/

Overview

Jean Monnet Module “Embracing EU Digital Agenda: Challenges and Opportunities of Digital Transformation in Albania” / (EDA) at the Professional College of Tirana (KPT) will develop knowledge and competences among students’ community on EU Digital Agenda, related challenges and opportunities of digital transformation processes in Albania with a focus on: i) public sector and digital/online integrated service delivery; ii) private sector; iii) higher education and civil society.

Second, the module will enhance the dialogue with public and private sector along with civil society on digital transformation and its potential in Albania based on the EU framework and digital agenda as well as EU digital agenda for Western Balkans. A specific “Jean Monnet Module” within the broader EU Information and Communication Studies will be developed for students within the thematic of: “Embracing EU Digital Agenda: Challenges and Opportunities of Digital Transformation in Albania”, coordinated by Dr. Erjon Curraj, together with a team of colleagues at KPT. The module will have three specific courses:

Fundamentals of European Union: Institutions and Policies

Digitalisation in Public Sector: Online Service Delivery in Albania and EU

Digitalisation in Private Sector: A comparison between EU and Albania SMEs profiles.

Aim and objectives

The overall aim of the JM module is to develop an innovative module curriculum and professional expertise knowledge on EU Digital Agenda and the related challenges and opportunities for Albania amongst non-EU related students’ communities and enhance dialogue with young professionals in the public and private sector, civil society and media.

The main objectives of the project:

To introduce innovative module curriculum EU Digital Agenda and the related challenges and opportunities for Albania amongst non-EU related students’ communities; To foster a meaningful, inclusive and sustainable dialogue between academia and young professionals in the public and private sector, civil society and media with a focus on topics related to EU and Western Balkans Digital Agenda, digital transformation and digital single market.

Impact

Jean Monnet module intents to bring this issue at the attention of a larger public. First, we contribute in expanding the knowledge and competences of EU to non-EU related fields of study such as information and communication technology, electronics, database and web design, office administration etc.

Second, we take this debate at national level by organizing Open Platforms in Tirana (the capital of Albania), Shkodra (one of the main cities of north Albania) and Korça (one of the main cities of south and southeast Albania) with actors from public and private sector, civil society and interested stakeholders.

Third, establishing a teaching and knowledge hub on Digital Transformation and the European Perspective that will serve as focal point for researchers and PhD aspirants working with the EU and digitalisation. Thus, also to contribute to project sustainability.

The Professional College of Tirana does not have any courses on European Union and seeks to introduce this for the first time by combining its expertise in digital transformation and ICTs with its vision to prepare young professionals that are able to succeed in the market economy in Albania, Western Balkans region and the EU.

Dr. Erjon Curraj – Jean Monnet Module Coordinator

Erjon is an expert in business development, innovation, and digital transformation. He avails of a blended professional experience in academia, the public and private sectors (Triple Helix). He has a Ph.D. in management studies with a research project on the impact of digitalisation on SMEs’ performance in Albania. He is a Jean Monnet Module Coordinator on Digital Transformation with a grant awarded by the European Commission Erasmus+ Programme. In addition, he lectures advanced modules on IT Project Management, Entrepreneurship, and Smart Business in various Albania universities. He has been an external lecturer at Professional College of Tirana for several years now.

Erjon has an established track record in conducting research and consultancy services for local and international actors. He has led a research project on the linkages between the science and the private sector in Albania for the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency, recommending concrete and plausible collaboration modalities. He has also been engaged as an Expert for the UNDP Programme on consolidating digitalisation of services at the local government level. He is now acting as a mentor for Thomson Foundation, supporting media outlets to develop business plans and become more financially sustainable. Furthermore, Erjon is an expert for Regional Cooperation Council in assessing Albania’s digital skills and providing recommendations for the education, private, and public sectors.

Erjon has more than 15 years of professional experience in IT project management, particularly in the private sector, working as Director of IT for large companies. Stemming from his passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, he founded in 2014 the start-up Tech360 Smart Solutions, which is now a small enterprise offering digital solutions to businesses, education institutions, and individuals. Even though his career provides a diversified portfolio, he remains an enthusiast of innovation and technology, particularly Smart Business, Smart Living, and Smart City using automation, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and other advanced technologies.

As a result of his experience, academic background, continuous professional development through various training, and civic engagement through projects, he has now well-established partnerships in Albania and South East Europe with enterprises, CSOs, academic institutions focusing on digitalisation, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Contact: erjon.curraj@kpt.edu.al

Jean Monnet Activities of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union Jean Monnet Activities are designed to promote excellence in teaching and research in the field of European Union studies worldwide. The activities also foster the dialogue between the academic world and policy-makers, in particular with the aim of enhancing governance of EU policies.

European Union studies comprise the study of Europe in its entirety with particular emphasis on the dynamic European integration process in both its internal and external aspects. The discipline also covers the role of the EU in a globalised world and in promoting an active European citizenship and dialogue between people and cultures.

What types of activities are supported?

Teaching and Research: Jean Monnet Modules, Chairs and Centres of Excellence. Support to Associations: Jean Monnet support to Associations. Policy debate with the Academic World: Jean Monnet Networks and Jean Monnet Projects. Key activities include courses, research, conferences, networking activities, and publications in the field of EU studies.

For more visit: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/actions/jean-monnet_en

Erasmus+ CBHE Engineering curricula modernization in renewable energy in Albanian Universities, (15/11/ 2020 – 15/11 2023)/ ENGINE / Ref. No. 619338-EPP-1-2020-1-AL-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP

Projekti drejtohet nga Universiteti Politeknik i Tiranës. KPT është një ndër partnerët në zbatimin së bashku me 5 universitete të tjerë nga Shqiptare.

Një mundësi shumë e mirë për të modernizuar kurrikulën, për të përgatitur studentët për tregun e së ardhmes dhe për t’iu përgjigjur sfidave të burimeve energjitike të qendrueshme.

https://engineproject.eu/

https://www.facebook.com/ENGINE-107735801399694

Status: Active

Projekti ka për objektiv të forcojë kapacitetet e Universiteteve dhe institucioneve pjesëmarrëse në Shqipëri, nëpërmjet krijimit të “Njësisë së Transferimit të Njohurive dhe Inovacionit (USIA)” që lidh në një mënyrë të institucionalizuar dhe të qëndrueshme universitetin me biznesin, qeverinë, shoqërinë civile dhe mediat.

https://usia.al

Status: Completed.

Pilot VET mobility scheme for the Western Balkans: MoVET – Mobility in Europe for VET/Ref No. EAC/S54/2019.

Objektivi i përgjithshëm: të kontribuojë në përmirësimin dhe modernizimin e sistemeve të arsimit profesional në Shqipëri, Kosovë dhe Mal të Zi, si dhe në forcimin e lidhjeve ndërmjet arsimit profesional dhe tregut të punës, me anë të organizimit të aktiviteteve të mobilitetit për të përmirësuar aftësitë e stafit dhe studenteve, si dhe perspektivat profesionale të studentëve të rinj të arsimit profesional.

https://www.mobilityforvet.eu/en/homepage https://www.facebook.com/MOVET-112168787906730

Status: Active

Connected Through Mobility (Projekti është pjesë e mekanizmit të financimit të Instrumentit të BE-së) Lidhja ndërmjet Ballkanit Perëndimor dhe Evropës Qendrore.

Projekti zbatohet në aspektin e mobilitetit të studentëve në vende të ndryshme të Evropës në terma afatgjatë për periudha 1 dhe 3 mujore

Trajnime për akademikët se si të zbatojnë mobilitetin

Job shadowing për akademikët.

Projekti synon të zhvillojë lidhje të forta me biznesin dhe kompanitë. Qëllimi është të zhvillohet një udhëzues i praktikave të mira.

https://meout.org/ctm/

Status: Active

101092478 – DLV-101092478

Status: Active

Virtual exchanges in higher education and youth (EVE) ERASMUS-EDU-2022-VIRT-EXCH

Status: Active