Information Technology (IT) is a key aspect for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). IT is present in almost all HEIs activities and, as a result of this importance, is a strategic asset that needs to be managed in an effective and efficient way. Moreover, IT will transform the way education is delivered, managed, and accessed by students. On the other hand, IT Governance is one of the concerns for organizations all over the world. IT Governance is the organizational capacity to control the formulation and implementation of IT strategy and in this way ensure the fusion of business and IT. Apart from generic IT Governance models and standards (COBIT, Calder-Moir, ISO/IEC 38500, …), literature reported several efforts on IT Governance for HEIs, being University-oriented IT Governance Frameworks in Spain, one of the most important, cited, and recent ones and the pioneering work from Juiz. This project gathered a set of researchers from four European universities with a wide experience in developing and deploying IT Governance (including ITG4U and dFogit) framework models from three different countries (Spain, Germany, and Norway) to develop, adapt and test a new IT governance framework to be implemented in several Universities in Albania. The project was developed in three main blocks: first, the training and capacitation of stakeholders, second, the assessment and development issues, and third the deployment. Results of this project include a better governance model for IT in Albanian HEIs as well as an overall modernization of the governance processes for HEIs and a contribution of the cooperation between EU and Albania.

Albania, as Partner Country, aims to improve the quality of its Higher Education system in order to be more responsive to the labour market needs and requirements by strengthening technology transfer and cooperation with businesses. The need is to qualify a service for the Albanian Universities (HEIs) third mission’s activities by space’s availabilities and sharing knowledge in each of the partner universities. The project focuses on modernization of Albanian ‘s Universities technological transfer offices (TTO), youth employment in key sectors of Albania economy (agri-food) through start up and spin off creation, cooperation and networking among universities at local and international level. Overall, the foreseen capacity building actions aim to transfer original and innovative methodologies and knowledge to different target groups: Academic and university administrative staff, students, enterprises, SMEs, mainly in the agro food sector, Public institutions. The project outputs are: 1) co designed guide lines of Albanian TTOs functioning; 2) increase in competences level and skills of Albanian ‘s HEIs TTOs (capacilty building actions); 3) TTOs services implemented by pilot initiatives (learning by doing); 4) TTOs international network creation. The main project result is the increase of innovation and competitiveness level in the Albanian Universities and businesses system and so the increase of Youth employment in agri food sector.The project strategy is based on a new approach for a modern technological transfer system. From traditional linear technology transfer model to a systemic and circular one. that involves all innovation players (from public bodies to research organizations, companies and innovation agencies) The modernized Albanian HEIs TTOs collaboration at national and international level, is the further means through which a stronger ecosystem of innovation is achieved.

The aim of the proposed project is to increase the number of experts and qualified workers and to reduce the existing unemployment rate in the field of Multimedia and Digital Television (MDTV). The project will have significant long term effects that will be felt by researchers, higher education institutions, students and broadcasters both in the Republic of Albania and Kosovo. During the first phase of the project, an analysis of the problems and needs of the MDTV area in Albania and Kosovo will be undertaken. Based on the results of this study and the technical expertise of the European Union (EU) Partners, the existing curricula of Multimedia bachelor programme will be reviewed in order to improve the quality of higher education and enhance its relevance for the labour market and society as a whole. Also, due to the fast development of the Multimedia and Digital Television technologies, new and innovative education master programme should be introduced in this field. UAMD will open a new professional master programme offering the possibility to specialize in three multimedia and digital television fields: Image Processing, Animation and Production/Post-production. On the other side, EPOKA and higher education institution (HEI) partners of the Republic of Kosovo will introduce three modules to their existing master programmes. For these purpose, Albania and Kosovo will train academic staff in the EU HEIs partner in order to improve their level of competences and skills in the field of Image Processing, Animation and Production/Post-production.In order to support the successful implementation of the Multimedia and Digital Television curricula in both bachelor and professional master programme a new state of the art laboratory will be established at the Faculty of Information Technology (UAMD) premises. The laboratory will be used for the organization of both academic staff trainings and practice classes of the Multimedia and Digital Television programmes.

Virtual Albanian European Universities Exchange (VALEU-X) is a joint project to support the internationalisation efforts of Higher Educational Institutions in Albania through modern technology-enhanced academic exchange with European HEIs. It proposes blending on-campus teaching activities with international Virtual Collaborative Learning (VCL) components as a Virtual Mobility element to introduce international perspectives in formal higher educational programmes within a holistic approach of Internationalisation at Home.The project objectives include:- Enable academic staff to extend their teaching processes and content with international perspectives and elements- Help Albanian HEI to develop effective internationalisation strategies- Provide Albanian students with international experience at their home HEI- Prepare Albanian HEI for successful integration in the EU academic landscapeThe foreseen outcomes and results include:- New problem-based learning practices based on constructive collaborative methodologies.- Common international study activities involving Albanian and European students and academics.- Blended Mobility setup using Virtual Collaborative Learning (VCL) methods and modern ICT including Social Media.- Virtual/Blended Mobility augmented Internationalisation at Home strategies with acknowledgment and recognition mechanisms.The envisaged impact encompasses:- Build capacity at Albanian HEI for international/EU academic practices- Encourage personal growth of Albanian students to become EU citizens- Overcome limited physical academic mobility between Albania and the EU- Increase relevance of Albanian HE programs to international/EU job markets- Promote applied teaching and learning using modern technologies- Enhance the adoption of “eBologna” in Albanian HE

Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro are Partner Countries in the Western Balkans (WBs) region with a young population, dynamic economy and serious need for growth, development and green transition. Recent studies show that Internet of things (IoT) can help developing countries grow and achieve sustainable economics and green transformation. Six WB HEIs want through this proposal to build the necessary capacity and invest in knowledge and practical application in the field of IoT and green transformation. Trainings and knowledge exchange with the 3 EU HEIs from Bulgaria, Greece and Austria will be a founding step towards a green future in WB HEIs and region. Three associate partners – an innovation fund, a port and an ICT company are here to model the academic society and business oriented innovative ecosystem. IoT-ECO will support WB HEIs to:1. Assist academic staff improving their knowledge and expertise in the field of green ecosystem - energy efficiency, air pollution, Industrial IoT.2. Introduce IoT to society and raise awareness of its potential for green transformation.3. Establish IoT-ECO hub in the WB HEIs network to facilitate creative projects, design, and technology transfer with a focus on resilient solutions.4. Develop a virtual prototype of Green transformation ecosystem model of the Port of Durres and make it available at the IoT-ECO hub.5. Integrate and harmonize study programs with the needs of the industry in relation to IoT and green transformation. Develop new and updated courses and integrate them in the syllabi for providing the skills and competences that future engineers need.Teachers and staff involved in the consortium are 39 and the main target beneficiary with mobilities courses and trainings are the students in the WB HEIs. Larger impact on society will be obtained through networking and dissemination activities with focus to younger students, people with disabilities, business representatives and governmental institutions.