The Kick-off Meeting for the “DUALBA” project was held successfully on February 3-4, 2025, at the University of New York Tirana, Albania. The meeting saw the participation of 40 individuals from all partner institutions of the project. The meeting was held over two days, following the previously approved agenda. The participants discussed crucial elements for the successful implementation of the project, including its management, financial aspects, quality assurance framework, work packages, and first-year activities.
Day 1
First Half: Institutional Presentations
The meeting began with each project partner presenting their respective institutions and outlining the key activities and contributions they would bring to the “DUALBA” project. These presentations helped establish a deeper understanding of each partner’s role, strengths, and areas of expertise. The diverse range of institutions, including universities, business academies, governmental bodies, and private enterprises, contributed to creating a well-rounded and collaborative approach to the project.
Opportunities for Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
During the breaks, several opportunities arose for the establishment MoUs between European and Albanian institutions, fostering a sense of unity and formalizing cooperation. These MoUs will play a significant role in strengthening the commitment of each institution to the project’s objectives and in ensuring smoother cooperation throughout the project’s implementation.
Second Half: Presentation of the “DUALBA”
Project Following the institutional presentations, a general overview of the “DUALBA” project was provided. The project’s main objectives, goals, and expected outcomes were highlighted, with a strong emphasis on the importance of international collaboration and the role of dual education in Albania’s higher education landscape. The partners shared their vision for the project’s impact and how it will help enhance the quality of education and employability of students in the country.
Quality Assurance Framework
One of the key discussions of the first day was centered around the quality assurance (QA) framework for the project. Lead by FH Johanneum, the group discussed how to ensure that all activities and deliverables meet the highest standards of quality. A comprehensive approach for monitoring the progress and assessing the quality of each deliverable throughout the project was established. This QA framework will provide the necessary structure to maintain transparency, accountability, and consistency in all project activities.
Establishment of the Quality Assurance and Steering Committees
In addition, the members of both the Quality Assurance Committee and the Steering Committee were selected from each partner institution. These committees will play an instrumental role in overseeing the project’s implementation, providing expert guidance, and ensuring that the project’s objectives are met in an effective and efficient manner.
Day 2
First Half: Management and Financial Aspects
The second day of the meeting began with an in-depth discussion on the management and financial aspects of the “DUALBA” project. The project leader provided a detailed overview of the procedures for managing the project’s funds, including budget allocations, financial reporting, and the importance of maintaining transparency in financial activities. This session also focused on ensuring that all partners understood their financial responsibilities and how to contribute to the overall financial management of the project.
Second Half: Project Activities and Planning of Study Visits
The second half of the day was dedicated to discussing the planned activities for the first year of the project. Each partner institution presented the details of their work packages, including the objectives, key activities, and expected results. This session was crucial in ensuring that all partners were aligned and understood their individual roles and responsibilities in the project.
The Ministry of Education and Sport played a significant role in this session, providing valuable insights into how the project’s outcomes could be integrated into national educational frameworks and policies. Their participation also ensured that the project would contribute to Albania’s broader educational goals, particularly in dual education.
Planning of Study Visits and First-Year
Activities Additionally, the dates for the study visits were confirmed. The study visit to Graz will take place from April 13-17, 2025, and the visit to San Sebastián will take place from May 26-30, 2025. These visits will allow partners to share best practices, observe successful models of dual education, and further strengthen the collaboration between institutions. A detailed discussion was held regarding the activities for the first year, especially those with deadlines in the first 5-7 months of the project. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that each partner was committed to meeting these deadlines and delivering high-quality results.
Dissemination Plan
The project’s dissemination plan was also addressed by University of Vlora, ensuring that the results and outcomes of the project would be shared widely at the national and international levels. Partners agreed to collaborate on creating clear and effective communication strategies to maximize the project’s visibility and impact.
Conclusions:
The Kick-off Meeting for the “DUALBA” project successfully set the foundation for the effective implementation of the project. The participation of all partners, along with the Ministry of Education and Sport’s crucial involvement, provided a strong framework for collaboration and mutual understanding. The meeting allowed for the establishment of key structures, including the Quality Assurance and Steering Committees, as well as the finalization of first-year activities and study visits. With clear goals and a well-defined roadmap, the project is poised for successful execution, and all partners are committed to achieving the set objectives. This report serves as a comprehensive overview of the Kick-off Meeting and will serve as a reference for future project updates and reporting.
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