Strategic Plan of the Department of Computer Engineering

Vision
To be a visionary academic and research hub in computer, software, and communication
engineering, distinguished for its commitment to quality, innovation, and societal relevance
primarily in alignment with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) standards. We
envision an inclusive and internationally connected department that promotes student-
centered learning, interdisciplinary excellence, and the development of digital competencies
critical for the future of regional and global knowledge economy.

Mission
Our mission is to deliver high-quality, research-informed education across all three study
cycles ensuring that all programs meet learning outcomes aligned with national qualifications
frameworks and the Bologna Process. We are dedicated to fostering academic integrity,
continuous curriculum enhancement, and stakeholder engagement, enabling our graduates to
meet the demands of a diverse labor market while contributing to technological innovation
and the well-being of the society.

Context

The Department of Computer Engineering operates in an era of unprecedented digital
transformation, characterized by rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), pervasive
connectivity, rapidly evolving new challenges and ever-evolving cybersecurity threats. These
global shifts significantly influence the strategic direction of computer engineering education,
research, and innovation. In alignment with national priorities and European Higher
Education Area (EHEA) standards, the department must proactively address the following
challenges:

1. The Acceleration of Digitalization
The rise of Industry 4.0 technologies - such as cloud computing, edge AI, IoT, and big data -
demands continuous curricular updates and specialized skills training. There is growing
pressure to deliver digitally enabled teaching and learning, requiring investment in virtual
labs, simulation environments, and hybrid course design. Graduates are expected to be
proficient not only in programming and systems design, but also in data ethics, digital
sustainability, and cross-domain integration.

2. Rapid Development of Artificial Intelligence
The pace of AI research, particularly in areas such as deep learning, generative models, and
reinforcement learning, requires agile academic programs that can integrate emerging
technologies without delay. There is a critical need to develop in-house AI research capacity,
spanning medical AI, autonomous systems, and responsible AI frameworks. Implementation
of AI-driven solutions in education (e.g., intelligent tutoring systems, learning analytics) and
in administrative functions remains largely untapped.

3. Evolving Threat Landscape in Cybersecurity

With increasing system interconnectivity, the department must strengthen its educational and
research focus on information security, privacy, cryptographic systems, and secure software
engineering. The emergence of quantum computing will provide extensive computational
capabilities but at the same time will further disrupt traditional cybersecurity paradigms,
making the integration of post-quantum cryptography into curricula imperative. The
department must also embed cybersecurity principles across all levels of study - not just as
specialized courses, but as foundational competencies.

4. Globalization and the Demand for Virtual Mobility
International student mobility is increasingly facilitated through virtual exchange programs,
joint online courses, and digital Erasmus+ initiatives. To remain competitive, the department
must develop multilingual, accessible digital content and expand international co-teaching
and co-supervision models. Cross-border education also necessitates interoperability of
learning platforms, and mutual recognition of ECTS and microcredentials.

5. Internal Challenges in Academic Capacity and Innovation
The department must address the recruitment and retention of high-quality academic staff,
especially in frontier areas like AI, embedded systems, and cybersecurity. Faculty
development in digital pedagogy, grant acquisition, and interdisciplinary research is crucial
for competitiveness and sustainability. There is also a pressing need to foster a culture of
entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology transfer, particularly in collaboration with
industry.
By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, the Department of Computer
Engineering can establish itself as a leader in the digital knowledge economy. The strategic
goals and measures outlined in this plan are formulated in direct response to this evolving
context.

Strategic Themes, Goals, and Measures
Theme 1: Provide a High-Quality Environment for Teaching and Learning
Goal 1.1: Modernize curricula across all programs to adapt to digital transformation and labor
market needs
Goal 1.2: Expand blended and online learning capabilities
Goal 1.3: Recruit and retain highly qualified academic staff
Goal 1.4: Improve student retention and graduation on time
Goal 1.5: Implement student-centered quality assurance processes

Measures for the Goals of Theme 1
Measure 1.1 Percentage of updated syllabi; Industry-aligned learning outcomes; Number of
new modules in AI, cybersecurity, IoT, and sustainable computing
Measure 1.2: Number of hybrid/digital courses; LMS adoption rate; Student access to virtual
labs and simulations
Measure 1.3: Number of full-time PhDs hired; Academic staff turnover rate; Student-to-
faculty ratio

Measure 1.4: Retention rate after Year 1; percentage of students graduating within the
expected duration
Measure 1.5: Frequency of course evaluations; Student satisfaction surveys; Student
involvement in program reviews

Theme 2: Support a High-Quality and Diverse Student Body at All Levels of Study
Goal 2.1: Increase enrollment of international and underrepresented students
Goal 2.2: Strengthen academic and personal support services
Goal 2.3: Promote flexible study options and lifelong learning
Goal 2.4: Enhance strategies for student retention and success
Goal 2.5: Foster an inclusive and accessible learning environment

Measures for the Goals of Theme 2
Measure 2.1: Percentage of international students enrolled; Number of mobility partnerships;
Financial aid/support mechanisms for marginalized groups
Measure 2.2: Use of mentoring and counseling services; Satisfaction with student advisory
systems
Measure 2.3: Number of CPD and microcredential offerings; Enrollment in part-time and
online programs
Measure 2.4: Student progression rates; Retention beyond first year; Student exit interviews
Measure 2.5: Number of inclusive-access courses; Staff trained in equity and accessibility

Theme 3: Provide a High-Quality Environment for Research and Project Development
Goal 3.1: Establish research centers aligned with digitalization and societal priorities
Goal 3.2: Boost externally funded, interdisciplinary research
Goal 3.3: Develop a vibrant doctoral research ecosystem
Goal 3.4: Promote open science, research ethics, and sustainability
Goal 3.5: Strengthen international research collaboration

Measures for the Goals of Theme 3
Measure 3.1: Number of research labs; Infrastructure investments in AI, 6G, edge computing,
embedded systems and bioinformatics
Measure 3.2: Horizon Europe/ERC project participation; Number of co-authored
interdisciplinary publications
Measure 3.3: PhD enrollment and graduation rates; Number of publications per doctoral
student; International co-supervision agreements
Measure 3.4: Percentage of open-access publications; Ethics approvals granted;
Environmental sustainability practices in research labs

Measure 3.5: Joint publications; MoUs with global institutions; Number of international
conferences and workshops hosted

Theme 4: Foster a Culture of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Goal 4.1: Integrate innovation and entrepreneurship education across all levels
Goal 4.2: Establish innovation labs and startup incubators
Goal 4.3: Enable rapid response to emerging technologies and digital trends
Goal 4.4: Build alumni and industry mentoring networks
Goal 4.5: Institutionalize technology transfer and commercialization processes

Measures for the Goals of Theme 4
Measure 4.1: Number of courses/modules in innovation; Student involvement in startup
competitions
Measure 4.2: Number of student startups launched; Patents filed; External funding raised
Measure 4.3: Curriculum review cycle frequency; Inclusion of new digital skills annually;
Advisory board reports
Measure 4.4: Number of active alumni mentors; Alumni-led workshops or internships offered
Measure 4.5: Number of IP disclosures; Licensing contracts; Revenue from university-
industry collaborations