Develop Institutional Capacities for Research

WP4 aims to address one of the shortcomings identified during the need’s analysis on country and institutional level: the need for coordinating structures that have processes and procedures in place to support research and innovation within each institution.

The poor performance of Albania and Kosovo in terms of R&D and innovation is not only an issue of limited resources (human or financial), it is also due to the lack of proper structures which have a specific focus on innovation. Unlike the departments that given the aforementioned conditions tend to get consumed with the day to day management of the study programs, these structures (RISS) seek to adopt a systemic and institutional approach towards research and innovation, considering it not merely an individual responsibility of the academic staff but also a matter of institutional culture and organization.

Because they will not confine within one department, RISS are planned to function as an inter-departmental and inter-disciplinary entity and as such they seek to bring together people from various disciplines and expertise, facilitating knowledge exchange, new research topics and innovation.

Out of the 6 HEIs from Albania and Kosovo, 2 have already similar units in embryonic stage and the remaining 4 have the objective to have dedicated units that support research and innovation in their Institutional Development Strategy.

However, besides the positive intention, know-how on how to get these structures up and running is required. Therefore, this WP has a twofold objective:

-Formalize RISS (legally within the HEI, as well as develop regulations, action plans for their activity)

-Train RISS staff so they are able to effectively and efficiently manage RISS

There will be 3 trainings (one in each Program Country Institution) with 4 participants from each HEI in the Partner Countries. The trainings will consist in equipping the trainees with the required know-how on RISS operation. The outcome of each training workshop will directly serve the functioning of RISS. More specifically:

– By the completion of Workshop 1 (organized by TUHH) – each HEI in the partner country will have outlined the regulation for the establishment and operation of RISS.

– By the completion of Workshop 2 (organized by PoliMi) – each HEI in the partner country will have outlined the job description for RISS staff.

– By the completion of Workshop 3 (organized by AAU) – each HEI in the partner country will have outlined a strategy and action plan of RISS for the upcoming 3 years.

Therefore, the overall outcome of this WP will be improved capacities not only for the staff who are going to get direct training, but because of the formalization as an integral part of the HEI structure, they will ultimately result in improved capacities for the entire institution, achieving long-term impact and sustainability of the project results even beyond the lifespan of the project. The presence of RISS will also facilitate the networking process within the Consortium but also with the other actors of the innovation eco-system.

Deliverables

4.1. Establish / Strengthen RISS;

4.2. Training of RISS staff (3 training workshops);

4.3. Develop RISS regulation, job description, strategy and action plans;

4.4. Operationalization of RISS;

4.5 Equipment Purchase