EPOKA University's Department of Business Administration and TU Dresden's Chair of Information Management have joined forces once again to foster academic collaboration and cross-cultural learning. Building on the success of last year's initiative, the 2nd Virtual Collaborative Learning Module kicked off in Dresden, Germany, marking the beginning of a two-month-long collaborative program among students, E-Tutors, and Academic Staff.

This innovative module integrates the Strategic Management course of Dr. Esmir Demaj at EPOKA University with Prof. Dr. Eric Schoop's Virtual Collaborative Learning (VCL) module at TU Dresden. Under this year's theme, "Conceptualizing Tirana as a Smart City," students from both universities will engage in a comprehensive exploration of Smart City concepts, virtual collaboration across borders, and sustainable solutions to real-world challenges.

The program kicked-off with 18 EPOKA University students visiting TU Dresden from April 8th to April 12th, 2024. During this dynamic week, students participated in intensive workshops and collaborative sessions, initiating their project ideas amidst academic rigor and cultural immersion. Beyond academic pursuits, cultural excursions fostered friendships and enhanced cross-cultural competencies among participants. Over the next 2 months, mixed groups of students from both universities will collaborate virtually to refine and finalize their project proposals, focusing on innovative solutions to address common challenges within the Smart City theme.

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

"This Virtual Collaborative Exchange program exemplifies the transformative power of international collaboration. By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds, we are not only enriching their educational experience but also equipping them with the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world," remarked both Prof. Schoop and Dr. Demaj.

Funded by the KA171 Erasmus+ agreement for physical exchanges and supported by the COWEB project for the virtual component, this VCL module underscores EPOKA University and TU Dresden's commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and global citizenship among their student bodies.