HERE Seminar “Universities and social engagement” Regional Development Centre in Agricultural University of Tirana Bizena BIJO HERE Seminar “Universities and social engagement” University of Nicosia Nicosia, Cyprus 13-14 June, 2017

Teaching University Obligation 1st Mission 2nd Mission 3rd Mission Formality 1st Mission Research University Technology transfer Continues Education Social engagement 2nd Mission 3rd Mission Obligation

Social and cultural activities Knowledge Acquire / Create 2nd Mission Obligation Learn Research Formality Transmit Teaching 3rd Mission 1stMission “Hardware” Initial training Business Spin-offs Non initial training Know how Social and cultural activities

Rationale The Third Mission (3M) of universities: Technology transfer Continuing education Social engagement The Third Mission (3M) of universities: The relationship between higher education (HE) and society Benefits: Enhanced research Generation of ideas Jobs and companies Broader group of students Engagement with the community Additional money

3M needs In the era of the “knowledge society” 3M activities Substantial policy attention Universities as key players (Albania) 3M needs Reinforce the role of Albanian universities for the social and economic development National priority: the HE Strategy and the Action Plan Stronger and deeper development in Albanian universities Greater effort for making universities more responsive to social and economic challenges

Regional Development Centre(RDC) in Agricultural University of Tirana The mission of the RDC is to create an interactive network between AUT and other stakeholders, not only facing and changing their interests but also improving mutual benefits through collaboration. RDC promotes and maintain continuous and long-term partnership to provide exchanges between AUT, the academic community, employers, institution and organisations within and across the borders.

University and its business environment The creation of RDC is preceded from a phase of current resources identification as well as the current conditions and expectations of university inside areas. Environmental development dynamics are considered an important factor in the success of the centre. The RDC is establishing partnership with different actors and under this point of view identification of conditions, stakeholder interests and needs as well as all problems affecting this interaction remain very important

The University Products and Services AUT has constantly adapted its strategy of development based on the environment dynamics as well as using all internal capacities enhancing the quality and quantity of its services and products Creation of the RDC was an outcome of wider efforts of all university structures and addressing stakeholders’ needs.

The main pillars of RDC activity are described : Creation of a sustainable and proactive cooperation with business and institutions Enabling the development and enhancing the quality of professional practice Increasing employment opportunities for young professionals who graduate in university Gathering information, recognising innovative practices of business Offering stakeholders the latest technologies in the fields covered by AUT

MARKETING PLAN We consider the marketing plan a complementary step aiming to determine actions to meet objectives. Based on SWOT analysis, the RDC has a clear picture of its future activity. In the table below we synthetically have described our marketing plan based on typical templates.

MARKETING PLAN

Operations and financial planning RDC is developing its activity in two levels: University level, RDC is a unit part of central structure of our institution (Rectorate) engaging 2 staff members. Faculty level; each faculty (five in total) has its office ZKS with a specialist working there. All staff members of RDC are working according the annual action plan of the center in close collaboration with all university and non university human resources involved in the process

Operations and financial planning Communication between RDC, academia in one side and outside university stakeholders isa challenge for the activities We believe that a good starting point was the assigning of responsible staff ,in an adequate office with the necessary infrastructure and equipment.

Schedule and monitoring University through RDC info consistently monitors the results of work done through different indicators of measurement such as: Number of active student profiles on database Number of business profiles on database Participation in annual activities (career fair, workshops, round-tables) of academic staff, students, businesses, institutions. Number of agreements with stakeholders. Number of young professionals employed every year. Feedback from business representatives. The monitoring as well as reporting is a common process allowing us to provide sustainability of RDC activity.

Pictures of the Regional Development Centre Agricultural University of Tirana