The members of the International Advisory Board of EPOKA University met with the Faculty of Architecture and Engineering, on April 29, 2025.

Distinguished participants in this meeting included Prof. Dr. Michael Murphy (Former President of the European University Association), Prof. Dr. Arben Merkoçi (ICREA and Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology), and Dr. Ben Swagerman (International Legal Expert).

As part of the program, high-level consultations were held with the leadership and academic staff of the Faculty of Architecture and Engineering. 

The faculty was represented by Prof. Dr. Sokol Dervishi, Dean of the Faculty, who delivered a presentation on the promotion of sustainability and green transition in teaching and research.

Key topics discussed included:

• Integration of Sustainability into Curricula – Academic programs have been updated to include key concepts such as renewable energy, sustainable design, and the circular economy.
• Development of Interdisciplinary Research – Research initiatives align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on energy, environment, and resilient infrastructure.
• Strategic Collaborations – The university engages in partnerships with academic institutions, government bodies, and private sector actors to foster green innovation.
• Existing Challenges – Traditional structures, limited expertise, and constrained curricula hinder the full integration of sustainability in education and research.
• Opportunities for Growth – Increasing demand for green professionals and access to international funding offer significant potential for further development.

EPOKA University will continue to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. In this context, it will provide incentives for the hosting of incubators and accelerators, offering support for start-ups and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit within its student and staff community. 

With regard to industry collaboration, EPOKA will develop a more sophisticated relationship with industries, in order to act as a partner in the innovation process rather than solely as a provider of knowledge or skilled labour. In this regard, EPOKA will encourage entrepreneurial activity, knowledge transfer, and joint research projects with businesses and other organizations.