Achievements | Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan

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Faculty of Architecture and Engineering › Department of Architecture ›

Vision

Mission

Context

Sources

Achievements

Achievements from the last period (Since the establishment of EPOKA)

Since 2008 the applicant pool for the Department of Architecture has grown by over 50%, and the entering class has become stronger and more diverse. In 2014 we increased the target size of the freshman class from 30 to 60 students. There is an ever-present need to expose our students to contemporary issues and to prepare them for a complex and global environment. In comparison to other top-tier programs, Epoka University is a leader in its adoption of new pedagogical tools and in its focus on "hands on, minds on" learning.

One of the objectives of the Architecture Department is to contribute not only to its students’ achievements and academic research but also to the broader local society by organizing seminars, exhibitions, competitions and issuing of certificates to the participants. The “International Conference on Architecture and Urban Design” [ICAUD] has already completed its 5 series by November 2023. The 6th ICAUD will be organized in November 2025 by the Department of Architecture of Epoka University. The Department organizes “Open Lectures” by inviting the famous architects and artists from Albania and abroad. Students and staff of the architecture department regularly participate in international exchange programs and attend the international architecture summer schools, participate in national and international professional competitions.

Furthermore the Department of Architecture at Epoka is expecting to launch a Dual Degree program with an EU member country university. Each year the department organizes the studio site trips and excursions. N`CEP and ArchAge are two clubs for students of architecture at Epoka University. These clubs organize different activities such as: open lectures, exhibitions, performances, architectural and social activities.

II. Priority Areas– Themes

It is crucial to keep and make stronger our tradition of teaching and learning while at the same time developing an attribution set of operations, goals and desired accomplishments. The department of Architecture is investing in design, which is grounded in critical representation and where students learn how to design, build and creatively think. Our mission is to educate professional architects and to advance architectural knowledge and creative practice through design-centered teaching and research. The Architecture Department will continue to use innovative teaching methodologies to enhance the positive learning experience of its students. The Department will increase its efforts to develop creative ways of teaching. Training activities in the area of teaching and learning will continue to be provided according to the needs of the department. Students at the Architecture Department will acquire the relevant knowledge and technical skills needed for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. The promotion of human rights, gender equality, the values of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, social inclusion and appreciation of cultural diversity will be integrated in the curriculum. The department will continue to attract high quality and diverse academic staff with international reputation. Architecture department will capitalize upon the mobility of staff, international research projects and other activities with national, regional or global outreach. Individual or collaborative research will be integrated into teaching and include students from all levels of education, especially graduate students at the master and PhD level. A greater emphasis will be given to the community related research projects at the graduate level. Students will thereby be able to play an active role in empowering others and enhancing the quality of life in their community. Students will be required to engage in learning activities that involve classroom instructions on civics, moderated discussions of current events, student governance, community activities and simulations. They will be required to actively search for internships and similar involvements in their first year. Investments in the teaching and learning infrastructure will continue with the same intensity. Computer and laboratory facilities will be increased in number and variety. The Architecture Department will ensure that the new laboratories to be modern, versatile and fit for active learning. In alignment with the national Cross-Cutting Strategy on Information Society, the Architecture department and University will expand its digital provision in e-education and research.

Specific goals for the Theme 1

Goal 1.1 Teaching goals:

-Department of Architecture will increase its commitment to improving its teaching content and methodology, by increasing its offer in the study program and implementing new teaching methodologies.

-Department of Architecture will continue and will increase its reputation in supplying practice relevant knowledge in its undergraduate and graduate programs.

-The PICD study program will be tailored to the needs of the labor market at the national, regional and European level to further improve the quality of the program to attract Albanian and Western Balkans’ qualitative students.

-The curriculum will be revised to emphasize the role of creativity and innovation, by promoting critical thinking skills and entrepreneurship. -Architecture department will increase its efforts in the area of internationalization by encouraging cooperation and strategic partnerships with Western universities, the public sector and business organizations.

-Department will meet the quality assurance standards of international accreditation bodies

Goal 1.2 Research and project development goals:

-Department of Architecture will provide opportunities to engage its staff in a wide range of research activities and other relevant project development areas. Among others, such opportunities involve financial and infrastructural support and they should be used efficiently and productively. Research activities must be oriented towards the needs of the community.

-Research activities will involve national and international research organizations and have a strong interdisciplinary element. Project development should comprise both national and European areas of interest and cooperation partners.

- Research and project development activities will be focused in those areas that efficiently utilize the human capacities of the university and are integrated with the research strategies at the departmental level.

- The Department will continue to facilitate the international mobility of researchers, participation in European wide projects and other international programs.

Goal 1.3 Community Service goals:

- Department of Architecture will offer services in those areas that it has demonstrated expert knowledge, such as in the field of design

- Service provision should be tied to the provision of research and teaching, especially at the graduate level.

- Services should cover their own costs and not create additional costs for the department

- Opportunities of collaboration with external partners, such as the public sector, voluntary organizations, non-governmental bodies and business organizations should be sought.

Measures in order to reach mentioned goals under Theme 1.

I.1 Annual training and workshops for teaching and course design.

1.2 Revise the curricula to the needs of the labor market and to increase its reputation in supplying practice relevant knowledge and to increase and encourage internationalization.

1.3 Increase the annual number of exchanges by 20%

1.4 One course taught abroad by architecture department’s staff each year

1.5 Continue to give full financial support to faculty who participate in conferences and publish their proceedings in Web of Science and Scopus indexed journals

1.6 Organization of international conferences

1.7 The number of collaboration between domestic and foreign researchers will increase annually

1.8 Increase collaboration with international and national researchers in the field of EU integration 1.9 Increase the cooperation with the industry, public and private

1.10 Increase of the number of personnel engaged in service provision

It is particularly important to maintain this leadership role at a time when advancing technologies permit rapid communication among many people distributed throughout the world. Diversifying the class and creating additional opportunities for international experiences will remain priorities for the Department of Architecture. It will continue to provide leadership to the state and nation in recruiting initiatives by remaining one of the nation’s best suppliers of new, well-trained designers. In order to support a rapidly expanding research portfolio the department will create additional opportunities for international experiences. Not only that, the department will greatly increase its resources for graduate teaching assistantships in order to prepare competitive graduates in the academic field as well. Reorganize, apply and make operative the PhD program in Architecture.

Specific goals for the Theme 2

Goal 2.1. Enable a culture of innovation through flexibility and learner-centered pedagogies in the region to become a showcase for instructional excellence.

Goal 2.2. To improve the student – professor ratio and to diversify the themes, which are available for study and research within the Department of Architecture

Goal 2.3. Tailor programs to labor market demand

Goal 2.4 Increase the number of international students

Goal 2.5. Develop programs in research and innovation that link Epoka University to the nation and to the world, by defining core programs that address societal needs, integrate the activities of multiple organizations across the region, and build upon our existing strengths and proximity to research sponsors and partners.

Goal 2.6 The transformation of the Department of Architecture into an important research center in the fields of Architecture and the Built Environment, Urban Planning, and Urban and Architectural Physics, adapting to the strategic needs of the market both domestically and internationally.

2.7 To promote studies and research that may respond to critical national needs, multidisciplinary research and to the recent international inquiries.

Measures in order to reach mentioned goals under Theme 2.

Measure 2.1. To increase the annual percentage of students involved in international experiences, including study abroad, service learning, and internships.

Measure 2.2. To increase the number of full-time and part-time academic staff specialized in different areas of architecture and design as well as to recruit within the department the adequate quantity of research assistants

Measure 2.3 Offer practice relevant knowledge in undergraduate programs

Measure 2.4 Facilitate and encourage the enrollment of foreign students

Measure 2.5 Increase the number of cross-disciplinary programs identified as viable research opportunities, as well as increase the number of funded programs in core research areas.

Measure 2.6 Enhance Faculty Research Capabilities by Encourage faculty members to engage in ongoing research and provide them with resources and opportunities to collaborate with leading experts in the field

Mesure 2.7 . To increase the number of national and international PhD students enrolled into the program

The Department of Architecture has an encompassing orientation towards subjects like architectural design, sustainable building, landscape and infrastructure practices, as well as housing and planning at all scales. This in combination with the department’s emphasis on design history and theory and various information visualization techniques, give strength and depth to the Department of Architecture. However, the environment for training highly qualified employees and research is constantly changing. Businesses are facing workforce challenges, seeking to recruit employees who are highly competent in both the scientific and technical fields who can integrate into a milieu that is rapidly changing. Therefore, the research activities should be oriented towards the needs of a variety of stakeholders, especially the local economy and the Albanian public administration. The Department of Architecture at Epoka University will continue its commitment to research by procuring a greater involvement of the staff in research project applications in national and international calls. The project development should comprise both national and European areas of interest and cooperation partners. The collaborative research or services provided to and with government entities or international donors will be our priority. The department’s research strategy will concentrate on two or three particular areas of research, depending on the potentials and strengths of the human resources available.

Specific goals for the Theme 3

Goal 3.1. Increase the national and international reputation of the Department of Architecture in research by developing human resources excellence strategy in compliance with European Research Area (ERA) priorities.

Goal 3.2. Increase the international reputation of the Department of Architecture in research by increasing the number of international conferences organized at Epoka University.

Goal 3.3. Increase the internationalization of research and project activities by increasing the number of project applications and the quantity of collaboration with foreign researchers.

Goal 3.4. Increase the internationalization of research and project activities by increasing the number of partnerships for international projects such as Erasmus+ and Horizon 2027. [Horizon 2027]

Goal 3.5. Research activities will have strong interdisciplinary elements by involving and increasing the participation of the scholars across disciplines.

Goal 3.6. Research should be oriented towards the needs of Albanian society and regional concerns.

Measures in order to reach the defined goals under Theme 3.

Measure 3.1. Encourage staff to co-author research papers, articles, and books, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and academic exchange. Provide support for submitting joint research to prestigious academic journals and conferences.

Measure 3.2. Organization of international conferences, seminars and symposiums by the Department of Architecture, at Epoka University.

Measure 3.3. The number of research project applications will increase annually.

Measure 3.4. The number of collaboration between domestic and foreign researchers will increase annually by facilitating the international mobility of researchers. The number of research project partnership will increase annually.

Measure 3.5. Biennial organization of the international conference ICAUD at Epoka University.

Measure 3.6. Increase the number of faculty gaining financial support for research.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Department of Architecture will encourage innovation and entrepreneurship within
the field of architecture and urbanism and building technology. The Department will
support initiatives that aim to establish start-ups and nurture an entrepreneurial spirit
among students and staff, particularly in the realms of architectural design, sustainable
urban planning, and construction technologies.
In terms of industry collaboration, the department will deepen its partnerships with
architectural firms, urban design studios, and construction industries. The goal is to
evolve from merely being a provider of knowledge and skilled labor to an active partner
in the innovation process. This will involve fostering entrepreneurial ventures,
facilitating knowledge transfer, and supporting joint research projects that bridge
academia and the industry, ultimately advancing the fields of architecture, urbanism,
and the built environment.

Specific goals for the Theme 4

Goal 4.1. Promote Cross-Disciplinary Innovation:
Goal 4.2. Create Industry Partnerships for Real-World Projects
Goal 4.3.Facilitate Knowledge Transfer and Technology Transfer Programs
Goal 4.4..Encourage Faculty-Industry Collaborative Research
Goal 4.5.Support Student-Led Design and Innovation Competitions
Goal 4.6.Develop a Sustainable Design and Technology Initiative:
Goal 4.7. Expand Entrepreneurial Education Programs:
Goal 4.8. Improve the Digital fabrication Hub:

Measures in order to reach the defined goals under Theme 4.

Measure 4.1. Develop a collaborative platform for students, faculty, and industry
professionals to work on interdisciplinary projects that integrate architectural design,
urbanism, construction technology, computer technology, building materials and the
field of economics. This platform can be established in partnership with CoRDA,
department of Computer engineering, department of Civil engineering and the faculty
of Economics and Administrative Sciences
Measure 4.2 Build deeper collaborations with architectural firms, urban design studios,
and construction companies to offer students practical experience through internships,
collaborative research, and live project work. This will help bridge the gap between
academia and industry. Define a target of MoUs with different firms, companies or
institutions within an academic year. Refreshment of existing agreements with
architectural studios and institutions by identifying new goals and collaborations.
Measure 4.3 . Organize workshops, seminars, and symposia that bring together
academic researchers, industry experts, and entrepreneurs to exchange knowledge,
share best practices, and explore new technologies and innovations within the built
environment and circular economy. Strengthen the collaboration with institutions like
GIZ Albania, Go2 Albania.
Measure 4.4. Support faculty members in pursuing joint research projects with the
architecture and construction industry to explore cutting-edge developments in
building technologies, sustainable urban planning, and smart cities.
Measure 4.5.Promote and organize design competitions, hackathons, and innovation
challenges for students, encouraging them to tackle real-world urban and architectural
problems with novel solutions, while also engaging with potential industry partners and
stakeholders.
Measure 4.6. Establish a specialized research and development initiative focused on
sustainable building practices, green technologies, and environmentally responsible
urban planning. This will position the department as a leader in sustainability within
the architectural and urban design sectors.
Measure 4.7. Integrate entrepreneurial skills training into the architecture curriculum,
offering workshops and courses on business development, project management, and
startup formation to prepare students to launch their own architectural practices or
design-focused ventures. This courses can be given by the FAE at Epoka University
Measure 4.8.Improve the existing laboratory by introducing new equipment and
technology for laser cutting, 3D printing, virtual reality, 3D modeling, built environment
sensors, 3D scanning and 3D modelling.