Through support from the Regional Challenge Fund, University Metropolitan Tirana and the Metropolitan Innovation Center will offer programs in “Big Data Business Analytics” and “Digital Finance,” as well as expand the availability of scientific research laboratories for faculty, researchers, businesses, and students.
University Metropolitan Tirana has been declared a winner in the third call of the Regional Challenge Fund, a financing instrument created to increase employment rates with a focus on youth and strengthen the competitiveness of enterprises in the Western Balkans countries.
UMT President Arjan Çukaj and Vice Rector Dr. Nikos Frydas officially received the evaluation letter for the Metropolitan Innovation Center project during the ceremony held in Tirana, with the participation of the Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja.
UMT is one of the 10 institutions in Albania evaluated by the Regional Challenge Fund, earning the trust of international partners for its contribution to scientific research and innovation.
Through this project, University Metropolitan Tirana and the Metropolitan Innovation Center will offer programs in the fields of “Big Data Business Analytics” and “Digital Finance” to address the demand for skilled professionals in these growing sectors, as well as to expand the range of scientific laboratories available to faculty, researchers, businesses, and students.
Created by the Governments of Germany and Switzerland, the Regional Challenge Fund operates in six Western Balkans countries by financing investments in collaborative training projects implemented through partnerships between vocational training institutions and enterprises. With the support of the Regional Challenge Fund, the project aims to create inclusive training programs, integrating practical experiences and on-the-job training in line with the European Union’s digital agenda and the priorities of the Government of Albania. The program aims to align student training with market needs, filling the gap for specialized professionals. This will be achieved by adapting curricula to industry needs, offering a strategic response to business development.
Youth who will follow the programs in “Big Data Business Analytics” and “Digital Finance” will be trained in understanding the concepts of “big data,” applying analytical techniques and data manipulation, visualizing data, digital financial technologies, Fintech, digital payment systems, risk management, and financial innovation. The programs are expected to last for 9 months, with training provided by UMT staff and real-world practice in partner companies, enhancing opportunities for professional development and rapid employment.
The Metropolitan Innovation Center has been established in accordance with the vision of UMT and the European Union’s Digitalization Strategy, focusing on developing digital skills, research, and supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises.
This is another achievement in terms of scientific research and internationalization of UMT, as a leading institution in higher education, focusing on computer science, engineering, architecture, and economics. University Metropolitan Tirana is the first university in Albania to offer the Artificial Intelligence program at all three levels – bachelor, master, and doctoral – in collaboration with prestigious universities such as Gustave Eiffel, ESIEE, or UPEC in France.