By Valbona Koçi
Universities are the main actors within the pre-ideation phase of the start-ups, where the foundations are laid for an entrepreneurial journey. Depending on the institute and the significance it places on entrepreneurship, universities also support potential entrepreneurs well into the ideation and seed-stage phase with incubation. Within the Albanian start-up ecosystem, universities currently provide - to varying degrees - three key pre-ideation resources:
1) entrepreneurship awareness and promotion
2) entrepreneurship education
3) innovation production
Some Universities in Albania do promote entrepreneurship, e.g. through events, career services, competitions, etc., and make students aware of this alternative career path and highlight its advantages.
Universities located in Tirana do reasonably well in this category with start-up and pitching competitions held in most institutes (e.g. University of Tirana, Tirana Business University, Marin Barleti University, POLIS University, Epoka University, Metropolitan Tirana University, etc.). Additionally, most of the universities have active student clubs that promote entrepreneurship through different events.
When it comes to education: entrepreneurship courses at university provide students with knowledge on how companies are built and what areas of concern need to be covered in running a business. Courses that include practical application to an idea transfer not only knowledge but more importantly, skills to future entrepreneurs and can lead to first business models and plans. Here universities provide incubators with a pipeline of potential entrepreneurs. Most Albanian universities offer bachelor-level entrepreneurship classes as part of economics degrees; only a few have these courses introduced at the master’s level or combined with practical applications. To learn more about the current role and input of universities towards entrepreneurship and innovation, please consult the study on “Entrepreneurial & Innovation Ecosystem in Albania” by Kate Hach & Eileen Trenkmann.
Yet, a few university lecturers have attended masterclasses on “Entrepreneurial University” and “How to Teach Entrepreneurship”, powered by the EU for Innovation program.
To conclude, a few Albanian Universities that have engaged in entrepreneurship promotion and start-ups creation are listed below. Please note that the list is not extensive. It will be updated regularly based on the performance and demand of any university in this specific field.
Polytechnic University of Tirana
The Polytechnic University of Tirana, is one of the biggest public Higher Education Institutions in Albania, comprising of 7 faculties [in the field of engineering] and one research institute. Two faculties within the UPT have embraced the attempt to promote and support student entrepreneurship encouraging multi-disciplinary team creation by joining Tirana Inc. as founding partners;
- Faculty of Information Technology FTI - Fakulteti i Teknologjise se Informacionit
- Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism [Eventet | FAU UPT]
Established in 1952, the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tirana, is one of the key entities to “feed” the market & entrepreneurship ecosystem, due to the high number of enrollments/students. Many graduates of FEUT became important figures in the public [government] and private sector [business founders, etc] in Albania. Currently the Faculty is structured into six academic departments: economics, finance, accounting, marketing and tourism, management and statistics/applied informatics. More than 9,000 Albanian and international students are currently enrolled in courses within the Faculty. There is pockets of excellence in the Faculty and willingness among lecturers of Entrepreneurship, management, information economics and other related fields to improve entrepreneurship teaching and develop the right tools/instruments to help students make a smoother transition to the market, and /or establish their start-up company. The faculty of Economics at the University of Tirana, besides education programmes, provides weekend bootcamps and is planning to set up a consultancy to advise students on their business ideas.
Faculty of Economics at TU, is one of the founding partners of Tirana Inc.
Lecturers of innovation /entrepreneurship have established a so called “Platform of Innovation” Innovate Your Way Out | Facebook a competition where students present their business ideas in front of investors’ jury.
Metropolitan University of Tirana UNIVERSITETI METROPOLITAN TIRANA (umt.edu.al) is a private HEI in Albania focused its programs in Engineering, Architecture and Economics. Founded by an entrepreneur, the university promotes and supports student entrepreneurship.
Metropolitan Incubator is part of the Metro Research Center. Skilled students who have an innovative idea, have the opportunity to be incubated and mentored by academicians and entrepreneurs, create a Start-Up and develop the prototype, which can be a software product or other areas such as construction, economics, science, etc. several Start-ups are currently being incubated in MI.
UNIVERSITETI METROPOLITAN TIRANA - Start-Up City (umt.edu.al)
Additionally, Metropolitan University & Metropolitan Incubator, in partnership with Faculty of Economics at Tirana University, organize the Start-up City competition for young entrepreneurs. May 2021 marked the 3rd edition of Start-up City.
Last but not least, ,Metropolitan University of Tirana is one of the founding partners of Tirana Inc.
POLIS University is a university offering studies in architecture / design, planning and urban management. It has three main units (Faculties): Faculty Of Architecture, Design And Engineering; Faculty Of Planning, Environment and Urban Management; and Faculty of Research and Development nine base units (Departments), and one Inter-Departmental Unit (namely: “IF Innovation Factory”). IF, standing for Innovation Factory, is a research and development unit, founded at U_POLIS, which focuses on Innovation. IF introduced design approach such as: computational design, interactive design, and parametric design. The Factory, which is intended as cross- disciplinary entity is settled both as physical space in the U_POLIS, and as an intellectual think-tank. Its mission is to promote every design practice, methodology and/or approach, which can unfold innovative content. Polis University has been supported (technically & financially) in their endeavor to establish the Innovation Factory Innovation_Factory | Universiteti Polis / FabLab type incubator by EU for Innovation. The University seeks to expand the Innovation Factory to a full-fledged creative incubator with machinery tools and 3D printers open for students, start-ups and professionals. The 1st cohort of start-ups is currently being incubated [June 2021].
Polis University is one of the founding partners of Tirana Inc.
Epoka University is an international higher education institution, that commenced academic activities during the 2007-2008 academic year. All institutional strategies of Epoka are built on the “Education, Research and Contribution to Society” triangle. To promote further R&D, as well as a contribution to society, the university has signed several cooperation agreements with international and national institutions. Epoka University comprises of three faculties: the Faculty of Architecture and Engineering; the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, and the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, and four research centers. Epoka University boasts an excellent employability rate of approximately 90% for its graduates. Besides infrastructure and well-appointed facilities, Epoka University offers internships, networking, career fairs, and employment opportunities for its students and graduates in collaboration with sectors and industry under the Career Planning and Alumni Office.
EPOKA University does conduct entrepreneurship promotion activities among students such as start-up and pitching competitions. Notably, the student clubs, especially “Innovators Club” are quite active in creating linkages between students/ aspiring entrepreneurs and inspirational ones. When it comes to education: back in 2018, Epoka University was listed among the best 45 European schools for entrepreneurship [evaluation based on undergraduate Bachelor programs, teaching students the basics of business in a multinational and rapidly changing environments, having notable alumni that graduated from their educational institution and succeeded in building their entrepreneurial career]. It also promotes and supports research and innovation, as the university supports participation in EU programs [Horizon 2020, etc].
EPOKA University is one of the five founding partners of Tirana Inc.
The mission of the Informatics Department is to provide with the digital skills the professionals specializing in information technology; advance knowledge in information systems and computer science by providing high quality teaching, as well as conducting scientific research that addresses challenges in information technology & society.
Scientific Research in the fields of:
- E-Service Providing
- Contributuons to the Artificial Intelligence
- Advanced Information Systems
Marin Barleti University founded and owned by an entrepreneur, is the type of university that could be called “an entrepreneurial university”. The main conceptual directions that an Entrepreneurial University relies on are as follows: Quadruple Helix, Knowledge-based economy, Digital future, Life Labs, Competitive enterprise, Funding /financial support, Start-up and spin-off, Incubators and accelerators. Entrepreneurship and related activities occupy an important place in education at the “Marin Barleti” University. For that purpose, Barleti HUB is created by a group of professors and entrepreneurs who are passionate about start-ups and aim to support/influence the ecosystem of entrepreneurship in Albania. In partnership with the MB university, and other national /international partners, Barleti HUB offers to potential start-ups/entrepreneurs [both students and other guests], the following:
- Co-working spaces
- Pitching opportunity: Betapitch Tirana, Creative Business Cup Albania, Future Agro Challenge, etc are a few international competitions Barleti Hub organizes yearly; and allows entrepreneurs to pitch in front of investors and reach international markets.
- Incubation –Barleti Hub offers to the incubated start-ups co-working spaces, continuous development, business consultancy, mentoring, workshops/training, and networking, etc
- Acceleration –Marin Barleti University [academic staff and experts] is dedicated to continuously support entrepreneurs in the life cycle stages of their products/businesses, through continuous education, mentoring and access to finance.
Additionally, the BARLETI UNIVERSITY & ADRIAPOL INSTITUTE have founded “Business Terminal”, It promotes entrepreneurship, competitiveness and economic growth by providing effective support, affordable services and innovative solutions to startups and SMEs. Business Terminal / Triple City is a physical structure and virtual platform organized in six units.
- Co-working space. Open & Cross-Sectoral
- Business Support Center - Catalyst of enterprises
- Business and Start-up academy. Professional Skills for Entrepreneurs
- Start-up Business Incubator & Accelerator
- City Gate. Soft Landing & Smart Takeoff
- Enter Hub. Center of Excellence for Business Competitiveness
Each unit operates as a "one stop shop" offering tailored solutions for businesses, at all stages of their life cycle.
Tirana Business University part of BALFIN group , which provides internship for the students of the University and give open classes for students of all universities on job related topics.
Having two faculties: Business administration and Business law, TBU supports student entrepreneurship. Tirana Business University stated to offer workspace to startup teams and expertise in the form of advice from lecturers upon request from the teams.
A Student Business incubator is established and has supported a few student initiatives, start-ups/ enterprises so far. The business incubator offers working spaces [free of charge], equipment, internet connection, counselling from academic staff or experiences people, opportunities for cooperation with partner business to provide their financial and technical support.
B4Students is a program designed to create new opportunities, to encourage and promote students success in entrepreneurship, social initiatives and career development by supporting their needs. Our goal for the future is to expand our regional presence and play a significant role on the empowerment and integration of young people, promoting a sustainable cooperation and exchange of experiences, accelerating innovation and economic growth etc.B4Students is powered by BALFIN Group, while beside Tirana Business University as the main founding member, other universities / faculties have joined as well.
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