Enhancing Digital Skills and Competencies, while defining IT Qualifications and Curricula within Albania’s Higher Education System – U2SID Workshop in Tirana

At CCIS, we are proud to be key partner in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the U2SID Erasmus+ an Erasmus+ Capacity Building Project aimed at promoting comprehensive and inclusive digital transformation in the Western Balkans region.

Our team participated on 27-28 March, 2024.at the workshop organized by the Mediterranean University of Albania in Tirana.  The workshop aims to accelerate the process of digital literacy at partner universities in Albania, leveraging the findings of the U2SID Accelerator Program.
The U2SID project plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation in higher education, aligning it with the needs of the labor market, regional development, and society at large. By facilitating knowledge transfer and generating economic and social value through the dissemination of teaching and research outcomes, U2SID promotes robust collaboration between universities and various stakeholders, including the private sector, policymakers, civil society, and media. The objective is to enhance the digital competence of both students and staff.
The workshop’s primary objective is to integrate digital literacy strategies into the priorities of higher education institutions, enabling the modernization of study programs at all levels and facilitating networking between higher education institutions and various sectors, including the economy, politics, business, and civil society.
The “Enhancing Digital Skills and Competencies, while defining IT Qualifications and Curricula within Albania’s Higher Education System – U2SID Workshop in Tirana” constitutes a crucial component of the education and training process. It engages teaching staff, students, and industry professionals, guided by the U2SID Digital Accelerator Program.
The first day of the workshop focused on the findings of the U2SID Accelerator Program, with guest professors from the University of Salento discussing Exponential Technologies and Digital Transformation Canvas. This collaborative session aims to leverage the expertise of teachers staff from partner universities, students, and industry professionals.
The workshop’s target audience on the first day included the middle generation of teachers and associates, mainly from the Mediterranean University of Albania, aged between 30 to 50 years, known for their adaptability to change. On the second day, the focus shifted to students, addressing their interests in hardware potential, software functionality, networking, and security, based on the U2SID needs assessment at Mediterranean University.

Ensuring Quality and Effectiveness: CCIS’s MEL Plan for the EYDR Project

Since November 2023, CCIS has been actively engaged in the implementation of the EYDR project, with the dedicated involvement of CCIS’s experienced team and the invaluable contribution of experts to design MEL Plan. The journey began with an intensive process of designing the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan tailored for the project’s unique requirements. This plan, meticulously crafted by CCIS, outlines a series of crucial tasks and activities aimed at ensuring the project’s smooth execution, continuous monitoring, and delivery of high-quality outcomes.

The initial phase involved a comprehensive assessment by CCIS to understand the project’s scope, objectives, and expected outcomes. This assessment enabled the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) and baseline data necessary for monitoring progress effectively. Subsequently, CCIS developed a robust monitoring framework,  specific indicators, data collection methods, responsibilities, and timelines to guide the tracking of project progress and performance.

To uphold the project’s quality standards, CCIS established rigorous quality control procedures, including regular reviews, inspections, and audits of project deliverables and processes. Additionally, CCIS implemented various quality assurance measures, such as training sessions and capacity-building initiatives, to enhance the skills and competencies of project stakeholders.

Continuous monitoring remains a cornerstone of CCIS’s approach, ensuring ongoing tracking of project activities and progress against predetermined targets. Through regular data collection, analysis, and reporting, CCIS identifies deviations from planned activities and takes corrective actions as needed.

Furthermore, CCIS fosters a culture of learning and adaptation within the project team, facilitating reflection sessions, knowledge-sharing events, and lessons learned workshops. This enables informed decision-making and adjustments in response to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Periodic evaluations conducted by CCIS will assess the overall effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of the project. Stakeholder feedback, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and evaluation reports with recommendations for future improvements are key components of this process.

With the continuous support and feedback from the SCIDEV project team, the MEL plan was comprehensively developed and approved by project partners, underscoring CCIS’s commitment to ensuring the EYDR project’s success and its significant contribution to youth participation in digital democracy.

Here some pictures from the presentation of the MEL plan at the steering committee meeting on March 19, 2024

 

Stay tuned for updates as we work to empower youth participation in digital democracy!

Big News from U2SID Project

We’re thrilled to announce that on February 26, 2024, our Steering Committee has officially approved the launch of the Digital Literacies Accelerator Program realized by Valentina D. Ndou at Università del Salento and Sladjana Benkovic at University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences and their respective teams !

This cutting-edge initiative is set to revolutionize digital literacy across our partner universities, ensuring that our educational strategies remain at the forefront of innovation and collaboration.

Our TEAM
Universiteti i Shkodrës “Luigj Gurakuqi”
Universiteti “Fan S. Noli”, Korçë – UNIKO
UNIVERSITETI MESDHETAR I SHQIPERISE
Scidev
Center for Compartive and International Studies CCIS
Agjencia Kombëtare e Kërkimit Shkencor dhe Inovacionit
Univerzitet Crne Gore
Univerzitet u Beogradu University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences
Università del Salento
U2SID is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

 

Digital Literacies Accelerator Programme is the Worck Package 2 (WP2) of the U2SID project and it is the core work programme of the project. It consists on:

Development of Digital Literacies Accelerator Programme

Organization of mobility for training for staff and students

Collaborative training with lecturers and professionals from civil society, business, and policy on digital literacies

Hands on training for students on digital literacies

Promotion and engagement of stakeholders

Evaluation of competences

The Needs Assessment Survey of Digital Literacies in U2SID Partner Universities report

Here comes a great report!
Key insights to pave the way for inclusive digital transformation in Western Balkans.
The Needs Assessment Survey of Digital Literacies in U2SID Partner Universities report presents key recommendations for evidence informed interventions in digital literacy programs, emphasizing infrastructure enhancement, optimized library access, robust training, curricular adaptation, and continuous engagement. We have wrapped up an evaluation of digital literacies across partner universities in Albania and Montenegro in the framework of U2SID Project project! From November to December 2023, we successfully captured data of proficiency in digital literacies from lecturers, students, and stakeholders, uncovering key insights to pave the way for inclusive digital transformation in Western Balkans.
The Needs Assessment Survey of Digital Literacies in U2SID Partner Universities report presents key recommendations for evidence informed interventions in digital literacy programs, emphasizing infrastructure enhancement, optimized library access, robust training, curricular adaptation, and continuous engagement.
This report is pivotal in shaping the strategies of the Digital Literacies Accelerator Programme and the Digital Transformation Challenge.

You can access the full report here 


Stay tuned as we continue to drive digital literacies forward in the Western Balkan

Cost Action meeting in Tirana. Making early career investigators’ VOICES heard for gender equality (VOICES)

For the past five years, CCIS has been involved in COST Actions, aiming to contribute to the knowledge triangle encompassing education, research, and innovation. We participated in Tirana for three days meeting.
During a three-day intensive meeting in Tirana, we, along with young researchers, scholars, and civil society members from 37 countries, took part in the annual meeting of the Cost Action MAKING EARLY CAREER INVESTIGATORS’ VOICES HEARD FOR GENDER EQUALITY (VOICES). Here, gender equality issues and challenges for Early Career Investigators (ECIs) were discussed in depth, highlighting the need for concrete policies and actions to address these issues at the European level.

Cost Action Info Day in Tirana

CCIS participated in the Cost Action Info Day in Tirana.
We take pride that our staff members have been active participants in various Cost Actions for 5 years.
Through their involvement in this professional network, learners, and innovators, they have not only gained and grown personally, but CCIS has also expanded its collaborative network across Europe, partnering in diverse projects funded by the EU Commission.
Grateful for the opportunities.

CCIS and its staff wish everyone a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2024!

Grateful for the hard work and contributions of our collaborators, partners, and stakeholders. With trust in our shared efforts, CCIS is implementing crucial projects in strengthening Albanian democracy, youth inclusion, digital rights, creative industries, and enhancing collaboration with societal actors. Cheers to a brighter future and exciting new endeavors ahead!

Creative City Forum 2023

DIGITCRESHE, an EU-funded project focused on digital literacy and empowerment, celebrated a significant achievement at its latest event hosted by Universiteti Barleti in collaboration with Mediterranean University of Albania and Center for Comparative and International Studies #CCIS. The event took place in conjunction with the Creative City Forum—an annual gathering of professionals in the Creative and Cultural Sector (CCS) on 13 December.
The Creative City Forum brought together professionals from the Creative and Cultural Sector (CCS), including “Mikser Ballkan” Founder, Maja Lalic, who shared the speaker stage with Mika Cimolini from “Centre for Creativity”, Fation Dragoshi from “Aftësi për Punë S4J”, and Jonid Jorgji from “Creative Industry Agency”, Tirana Municipality.
This collaborative exchange featured discussions on our organizations’ visions and rich experiences in nurturing talents and developing the creative scene in the Balkans.
The three day event started with Creative City Forum, followed by a managers meeting at Mediterranean University of Albania, emphasizing the role of education and empowerment in the Creative and Cultural Sector (CCS). Attendees engaged in presentations, panel discussions, and networking sessions.
DIGITCRESHE is a European collaboration involving 16 institutions across Europe, part of the ERASMUS+ Projects under the Albanian Erasmus+ Office. The project aims to improve the quality of the Higher Education programmes for the Creative Industries in the Western Balkan countries.
For more information about DIGITCRESHE and its initiatives, please visit digitcreshe.eu.
Funded by the European Union

“Youth Participation in Digital Democracy: From Digital Skills to Digital Rights of Youth with Fewer Opportunities in the Western Balkans”

New project!
New challenges!
New partnership!
Thank you Scidev!
We are thrilled to share with you our newest endeavor in enhancing digital rights in Albania, Montenegro,
Serbia and Spain: “Youth Participation in Digital Democracy: From Digital Skills to Digital Rights of Youth
with Fewer Opportunities in the Western Balkans” #EYDR.
#EYDR will engage, connect and empower young people in the digital world, through developing their
digital skills and raising awareness about their digital rights with an approach that balances protection
and participation so they can fully participate in the digital democracy.
The project will foster national and regional innovative alliances with media and youth, universities and
public authorities to raise awareness, network, and encourage policy dialogue.
#EYDR is led by Scidev in partnership with:
Belgrade Center For Human Rights
YOUROPÍA
Center for Comparative and Internationa Studies CCIS
Erasmus Student Network AL
Agjencia Kombetare e Rinise
UZOR Association for Responsible and Sustainable Development
Share Foundation
EYDR is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the Europian Union
Stay tuned for updates!

The DIGITCRESHE Project!

Exciting news from our recent meeting! 🚀 CCIS partnering in a new Erasmus+ project🏆 The DIGITCRESHE project is making strides to enhance the quality of Higher Education programs for the Creative and Cultural Sector (CCS) in the Western Balkans. The focus is on ensuring student satisfaction, boosting graduates’ competitiveness in the job market, and implementing digital transformation through innovative educational tools. The project will analyze current CCS higher education status, industry trends, required skills, technology usage, and more. 🎓🌐 Let’s empower our creative minds and shape the future of the cultural and creative industries together!
Curious about how it all begins? 🤔 The baseline analysis is the key! 🗝️ It involves collecting data on the current state of the creative and cultural industries and higher education in CCS. This one-month initiative, combining desk research and 10 online interviews with experts, academics, students, and professionals, will provide a solid foundation for the project. The resulting national report, featuring an executive summary, detailed findings, analysis, and conclusions, will guide us toward achieving meaningful goals in the realm of education and creativity. 📊📚 Let’s build a brighter future together!