Diaspora4Innovation – Meet the Scholar Series

Through Diaspora4Innovation, GERMIN and EU4Innovation create space for meaningful academic exchange between diaspora scholars and resident faculty in Albania. The Meet the Scholar Series documents these collaborations and shows how shared teaching experiences translate into stronger universities, more relevant curricula, and empowered students.

One such collaboration brought together Dr Adelajda Matuka, diaspora scholar from the University of Bologna, and Dr Edmira Cakrani, from the European University of Tirana in Albania. Together, they co-designed and co-taught the course Applied Economics with R Studio at the European University of Tirana, introducing students to modern, applied approaches in economics education.

From the early planning stages, the collaboration focused on aligning international academic practices with the realities of Albanian higher education. The scholars worked closely to structure the syllabus, define learning outcomes, and design assessments that encouraged active participation and problem solving.

The course integrated applied quantitative analysis, programming, and economic reasoning through the use of R Studio. Students analyzed, modeled, and visualized real world datasets, linking empirical results to economic and policy questions relevant to Albania and beyond. Rather than relying on abstract theory, the course emphasized learning by doing.

Classroom delivery centered on live coding sessions, guided exercises, and step by step examples. Students worked directly with data and learned how to interpret findings in a policy context. This approach helped them build confidence in computational thinking and understand how applied economics supports evidence based decision making.

Student response played a key role in shaping the experience. Curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to experiment defined the classroom dynamic. Many students expressed pride in completing their first data analysis projects, seeing their skills grow in real time.

What made this collaboration stand out for the diaspora scholar was the opportunity to engage in an academic environment that felt both evolving and familiar, as someone who had once studied in the Albanian education system. The partnership with the European University of Tirana and with Prof. Edmira Cakrani created a meaningful bridge between past academic roots and current international experience. Beyond teaching, the collaboration also extended into research. The joint research article developed through this partnership is now near completion, with the aim of submitting it to a top ranking academic journal. The scholars also presented their work at the READ International Scientific Conference 2025, where around 300 research papers from researchers worldwide were shared. This experience strengthened not only academic cooperation but also personal commitment to contributing to higher education in Albania.

For the resident scholar, the collaboration introduced new pedagogical approaches, digital tools, and applied teaching methods. Exposure to international academic practices inspired curriculum innovation beyond this single course and encouraged broader integration of technology driven learning.

Both scholars see strong potential in continuing this model of collaboration. Future plans include co teaching, joint research, curriculum development workshops, and stronger links between Albanian universities and international academic networks. These partnerships help bridge gaps between diaspora and resident scholars while preparing students for competitive job markets in Albania and abroad.

The Meet the Scholar Series captures what Diaspora4Innovation makes possible when engagement moves beyond short visits and into sustained academic partnership. It shows how shared responsibility, adaptability, and mutual learning can strengthen higher education and build lasting connections between global knowledge and local institutions.

On behalf of the European Union, Germany, and Sweden, EU4INNOVATION is supporting GERMIN to facilitate the circulation of Albania’s global knowledge locally.