Through Diaspora4Innovation, diaspora scholar Dr. Gladiola Goranci-Buzhala and resident scholar Dr. Albana Halili developed a meaningful academic partnership at Western Balkans University, connecting international research experience with local teaching needs in biomedical sciences. Their collaboration focused on strengthening course content, introducing practical research skills, and helping students better understand how scientific knowledge moves from theory to laboratory practice.
The partnership began with the revision and reorganization of the course syllabus. Dr. Goranci-Buzhala worked closely with Dr. Halili from the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences at WBU, and her suggestions were incorporated into the final syllabus. She also delivered three lectures, both online and in person, attended by students enrolled in the module as well as other students interested in the topic.
A key part of the collaboration was the introduction of two practical workshops. The first focused on scientific writing, supporting students in developing skills needed for thesis writing and manuscript preparation. The second introduced Fiji/ImageJ, an open-source tool widely used in biomedical research. Through this workshop, students worked on processing and quantifying microscopy images, gaining a clearer understanding of how scientists use data and statistics to explain biological processes.
For Dr. Goranci-Buzhala, returning to Albania in this academic role carried deep personal meaning. She reflected on her own academic journey, when access to international expertise, mentorship, and university networks was limited. Through this engagement, she saw an opportunity to give back by helping students connect classroom knowledge with the everyday work of scientific research.
Dr. Halili also described the co-teaching experience as highly valuable. The collaboration brought new perspectives into the course, combining local academic context with international research practice. It introduced students to active learning, scientific data, experimental workflows, and research-oriented skills that can support their academic and professional growth.
Students responded positively to the model. They engaged strongly in the lectures and workshops, asked questions, and showed increased interest in research opportunities, including study and collaboration abroad. Their feedback showed that the course felt more practical, relevant, and connected to real scientific work.
The collaboration also created future opportunities. Dr. Goranci-Buzhala and Dr. Halili explored a research partnership that combined Dr. Halili’s expertise in material generation with Dr. Goranci-Buzhala’s background in stem cell research. They presented their collaboration ideas at the International Conference on Medicine and Translational Biosciences, organized by WBU. As part of the follow-up, Dr. Halili visited the University of Cologne at CECAD, where she gave a talk to the scientific community and had the opportunity to meet other academics at CECAD and see first-hand the modern laboratory space. As part of the follow-up, the scholars also supported a WBU student’s visit to carry out laboratory work for a master’s thesis, turning the collaboration into a concrete academic opportunity for students.
This story shows how diaspora academic engagement can create concrete value for students, faculty, and institutions. By combining syllabus development, practical teaching, mentoring, and research collaboration, Dr. Gladiola Goranci-Buzhala and Dr. Albana Halili demonstrate how international expertise can strengthen biomedical education in Albania while opening new paths for students to engage with global science.
