Epoka University recently welcomed more than 40 participants from nine countries and three continents for the 18th International Education & Technology PhD Summer School, a landmark event that brought together doctoral researchers and academic leaders to examine the future of higher education in an age of rapid digital transformation.

Held from June 30 to July 4 under the theme “Future-Proof Higher Education: Virtual Collaboration, AI, and Digital Transformation,” the Summer School offered a packed program of keynote lectures, interactive workshops, poster exhibitions, and roundtable discussions. The initiative was organized in partnership with an international consortium of universities, including Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), DHBW Karlsruhe, PHDL Linz, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Universidade do Estado do
Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), University of Bergen, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, and University of Strasbourg.

Throughout the week, scholars examined how emerging technologies are reshaping teaching,
learning, and research. Highlights included keynote speeches on collaborative online international learning (COIL), the competencies needed in an AI-driven world, AI literacy in vocational education, and digital natives’ experiences with technology. Speakers also presented findings from EU projects such as Game4Change, emphasizing the role of playful learning in developing entrepreneurial skills.

Parallel TED-style talks tackled diverse themes, from raising children in a hyper-connected world to leveraging artificial intelligence in marketing. Afternoon workshop sessions allowed participants to hone their skills in areas such as quantitative research methods, triangulation, text analysis, ethics of academic referencing, inclusion in education, and literature reviews. 

Three dedicated poster exhibition sessions showcased the doctoral candidates’ research, sparking in-depth feedback and lively interdisciplinary debates.

The Summer School also underscored the role of international academic diplomacy. On Monday, Epoka University hosted H.E. Ambassador Karl Bergner and First Secretary Jan Maibom of the German Embassy in Tirana, who praised the initiative’s contribution to cross-border cooperation and intellectual exchange.

For many participants, the experience proved both professionally and personally transformative. 

“It was truly inspiring to spend a week immersed in the exchange of ideas and to connect with
like-minded peers,” said one doctoral researcher. “The workshops clarified concepts I had struggled with for years, and I returned home with fresh motivation and new directions for my PhD.”

Others highlighted the welcoming environment and sense of shared purpose. “This was more than an academic event—it was an opportunity to build networks, find future collaborators, and reaffirm the values of openness and cooperation in research.”

The week concluded with testimonials, a closing ceremony, and cultural excursions to sites such as Kruja and Durrës, giving participants a deeper appreciation of Albania’s rich heritage.

As universities worldwide navigate the challenges and opportunities posed by digital transformation, events like the PhD Summer School at Epoka University demonstrate the power of global collaboration in shaping an inclusive and forward-looking academic landscape.

Organizers say they are committed to continuing this tradition, fostering new research partnerships and preparing the next generation of scholars to navigate—and lead—in a rapidly evolving educational environment.