10 HEI’s, 7 countries, one week in Dresden – fostering Western Balkan cooperation at TUD

The Staff Observation and E-Tutor Summer School, organized under the umbrella of the COWEB Project, convened at TUD Dresden University of Technology with the objective of promoting collaboration and furthering project goals. With a diverse participant base comprising approximately 90 individuals from over 7 countries and 10 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the event brought together academic and administrative staff, as well as students, in a dynamic environment.

The event commenced with a cordial welcome from Professor Eric Schoop, Mattis Altmann (both from the chair of information management), and Dr. Esmir Demaj (EPOKA University, Albania), who provided insights as the Project Manager of COWEB. The agenda for the day included discussions on the Virtual Collaborative Learning arrangement between EPOKA University and TUD Dresden University of Technology, centered around the theme "Smart City Tirana." Participants also engaged in training sessions on Microsoft Teams and gained valuable insights into the Smart City Dresden Project presented by Prof. Dr. Michael Breidung, alongside other enriching activities such as a campus tour and cultural exploration.

The second day featured workshops and meetings, including a session on International Virtual Collaborative Learning led by Mattis Altmann and Dorsaf Ben Malek, along with a Project Steering Committee Meeting to address critical points for the progress of COWEB. Notably, the e-tutors underwent qualification, hosted by Lisa-Marie Langesee, within the summer school activity to lead the envisioned International module planned for the summer semester of 2025.

Training and observation visits took precedence for the e-tutors on the third day, with Dr. Demaj leading a session on “How to Pitch an Idea,” while participants explored various learning spaces and institutions to gain further insights.

Day four commenced with an engaging lecture by Prof. Dr. Michael Kobel, Vice-Rector of Education at TUD Dresden University of Technology who stayed over one hour after the warm welcome to answer questions from the consortium.

This was followed by student group pitches from the International VCL module between EPOKA and TUD Dresden University of Technology where the students presented their first ideas within the modules topic "Smart City Tirana". After that, Peter Rosenbaum, head of the international office of TUD hosted a gathering to discuss project sustainability and future synergies of the consortium at the rectorate.

The final day provided an informal setting for networking and discussions while exploring the rural areas of Dresden, fostering relationship-building among participants.

Throughout the week, the Staff Observation and E-Tutor Summer School showcased the collaborative spirit of the COWEB Project, acting as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, skill development, and the establishment of enduring partnerships across borders.

For more updates on the COWEB Project and its outcomes, visit the COWEB website and our social media channels.

But that’s not the whole story….

TUD Dresden University of Technology's Chair of Information Management and EPOKA University's Department of Business Administration are pleased to announce the launch of the 2nd Virtual Collaborative Learning Module. This initiative, building upon the successful collaboration established last year, aims to advance academic cooperation and intercultural understanding. Hosted in Dresden, Germany, the program marks the commencement of an intensive two-month collaborative journey for students, E-Tutors, and Academic Staff from both institutions.

At the core of this innovative module is the integration of Dr. Esmir Demaj's Strategic Management course at EPOKA University with Prof. Dr. Eric Schoop's Virtual Collaborative Learning (VCL) module at TUD Dresden University of Technology. With this year's theme, "Conceptualizing Tirana as a Smart City," students are poised to explore Smart City concepts, virtual collaboration techniques, and sustainable solutions to real-world challenges.

The program kicked off with a visit from 18 EPOKA University students to TUD Dresden University of Technology, spanning from April 8th to April 12th, 2024. During this immersive week, students actively participated in workshops and collaborative sessions, laying the groundwork for their project endeavors amidst academic rigor and cultural exchange. In addition to academic activities, cultural excursions were organized to foster friendships and enhance participants' cross-cultural competencies.

Over the next two months, mixed groups of students from both universities will collaborate virtually under the supervision of Thomas Richter, and Esmir Demaj to refine and finalize their project proposals, focusing on innovative solutions within the Smart City framework.

Looking ahead, EPOKA University will host 27 students and staff from TUD Dresden University of Technology during the final week of May 2024. This phase will culminate in the presentation of finalized projects and insights to the academic community and stakeholders. Additionally, field visits and cultural exploration activities in Albania are planned to further enrich the exchange experience.

Prof. Schoop and Dr. Demaj expressed their enthusiasm for the transformative potential of this Virtual Collaborative Exchange program. They underscored the value of bringing together students from diverse backgrounds to enrich their educational experience and equip them with the skills needed to thrive in an interconnected world.

Funded by the KA171 Erasmus+ agreement for physical exchanges and supported by the COWEB project for the virtual component, this VCL module highlights TUD Dresden University of Technology and EPOKA University's commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and global citizenship among their student communities. 
The cooperation with Epoka University, now in its second phase, is precisely geared towards the interaction of dual mobilities and thus represents, from the perspective of the International Office, an ideal blueprint for similar initiatives at TUD Dresden University of Technology.

Without the active support of the entire Chair of Information Systems, in particular Information Management, this event would not have been possible. We would like to thank Dr. Samuel Reeb, Mattis Altmann, Nick Volkmann, Thomas T. Richer, Lisa-Marie Langesee, Nelli Ukhova, Sophie Günther, Sophie Cool, Nick Heidmann, Phillip Hartmann & Dana Ziemenko.

Special thanks are extended to the EXU initiative of TUD Dresden University of Technology for funding the week in Dresden, as well as the International Office of TUD Dresden University of Technology for supporting our Exchange Initiative.