How can Albania benefit from Europe’s most advanced models that connect academia, industry, and innovation?
As part of the Diaspora4Innovation initiative, a group of Albanian academics from universities in Albania and the diaspora took part in a study visit to leading innovation hubs in Venice, including Future Farming and H-FARM, two environments where education, entrepreneurship, and technology intersect to create dynamic, future-oriented ecosystems.
The visit, proposed by diaspora academic Prof. Assoc. Valentina Ndou, was designed as a platform for knowledge exchange and practical learning, offering participants first-hand exposure to European approaches that successfully bridge academic research with private sector needs. These models demonstrate how innovation ecosystems can be built through strong collaboration between universities, startups, and industry.
During the visit, participants explored cutting-edge projects in areas such as agriculture, digital innovation, and AI-driven solutions, while also gaining insights into startup acceleration programmes, international academic partnerships, and campus environments designed to foster creativity and collaboration.
The delegation brought together academics from several Albanian institutions, including the Polytechnic University of Tirana, University of Shkodër “Luigj Gurakuqi”, University of New York Tirana, Canadian Institute of Technology, and Western Balkans University, alongside representatives from international universities such as the University of Salento, University of Bologna, University of Birmingham, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
Beyond the exchange itself, the study visit plays a key role in translating global knowledge into local impact. By connecting Albanian academics with leading European innovation models, the initiative supports the modernisation of curricula, strengthens research capacities, and fosters closer collaboration between academia and the private sector in Albania.
Through Diaspora4Innovation, EU4Innovation activates the intellectual capital of the Albanian diaspora, enabling knowledge to circulate across borders and contribute to building a more innovative, connected, and future-ready ecosystem in Albania
