Strategic Plan | EPOKA University

Strategic Plan

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Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences › Department of Business Administration ›

Department of Business Administration Strategic Plan 2024-2028

Introduction

1. Mission

The mission of the Department of Business Administration (BUS Department) is to equip students with interdisciplinary business competencies through experiential learning, digital innovation, and research-driven teaching. We aim to cultivate intellectual curiosity, inclusiveness, and leadership, preparing professionals capable of creating sustainable value and positively impacting the market.

Our graduates will demonstrate employability, continuous improvement, and contribute effectively to sustainable business systems. In addition, the department commits to aligning all learning outcomes with evolving labor market needs through continuous curriculum review and industry collaboration.

2. Vision

The Albanian Business Ecosystem is entering a transformative era characterized by best practices and impactful success stories. The vision of the BUS Department is to:

Be the leading partner in converting Albanian business experiences into recognized best practices.
Ensure that behind every notable Albanian business case stands one of our early professionals.
Become distinguished globally for innovation, employability, and entrepreneurial leadership, supported by strong collaborations with industry, alumni, and international partners.

3. Context & Constraints

The department operates within a structure where classrooms, laboratories, and digital infrastructure are shared across faculties, and no dedicated departmental budget is allocated. Major digital, infrastructural, and graduate-level decisions are governed at university or faculty level. Therefore, the strategic plan focuses on cost-neutral, high-impact, and institutionally aligned initiatives.

4 . Motto

"Today's Students, Tomorrow's Knowledge Leaders."

5 Challenges

Due to rapid changes in technology and the current economic environment, it is clear that the BUS Department faces several challenges in the upcoming years. The main challenges include offering an environment in which students can efficiently use their analytical skills and take advantage of technological developments. For this purpose, qualified staff, a central library, student co-working areas, are provided to achieve the challenging academic and professional objectives.

Moreover, the BUS Department must ensure strong relationships and further enhance its network with business professionals, academic institutions, research centers, and other stakeholders. Another challenge the department will face is the diversification of research areas and the establishment of research units/clusters, by securing agreements and memoranda of cooperation with other institutions to carry out research based on business needs.

Finally, considering the growing number of students in the department, especially in the Business Informatics branch, the department should design suitable scenarios for recruiting additional qualified academics and providing the necessary learning infrastructure. Since businesses and markets are very dynamic, it is the responsibility of the BUS Department to be a vigilant observer of complex and evolving business systems in order to align the curriculum with upcoming market changes.

6. Sources

There is a rising market demand for programs such as Business Informatics and International Marketing and Logistics Management. Since the launch of these programs in 2011 and 2012 respectively, the students have shown great promise, and their employability rate has remained high after graduating from the BUS Department.

Currently, the number of students in the BUS Department is approximately 660, and this number is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. Given these dynamics, the department must be well-prepared as stated in the “Challenges” section to accommodate this new wave of students by ensuring the availability of qualified academic staff and adequate learning infrastructure.

7. Achievements

Since the opening of the BUS Department, the network-based approach was established. Company visits, industry days, open forums, were among the milestones of the BUS Department.

In accordance with the principles of mobility under the Bologna Process and Erasmus Program, the BUS Department has established several agreements to offer students and academic and administrative staff the opportunity to learn in a multicultural environment. Currently, the department has Erasmus Agreements with the University of Applied Sciences Mainz, ESIC University, Spain, the International University of Logistics and Transport in Wroclaw, Poland, University of International Studies of Rome, Italy. Hochschule Fulda, University of Applied Sciences, Germany, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy.

In terms of research, the BUS Department is unique in the entire Western Balkans to have established a Research Unit/Cluster for Social Business research in collaboration with Yunus Social Business Balkans. It is also among the first in the region to have founded a master’s course dedicated to Social Business and Sustainability. The department has also expanded its research engagement through student–faculty projects, regional conference participation, and locally relevant case study development.

The BUS Department aims to recruit, educate, and graduate a talented and inclusive student body across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. This requires proactive outreach to high schools, alignment of graduate programs with market needs, continuous support systems for students, and strategic improvements in doctoral education.

Specific Goals for Theme 2:

Goal 2.1: Strengthen high school outreach and attract top-performing undergraduate students.
Goal 2.2: Develop new master’s programs aligned with labor market demands and future skills.
Goal 2.3: Improve student diversity and inclusion through mobility opportunities.
Goal 2.4: Enhance student support systems, including academic advising, mentorship, and career placement.
Goal 2.5: Reorganize the doctoral program to meet institutional standards

Measures in Order to Reach the Goals Under Theme 2:

Measure 2.1: Organize annual nationwide high school outreach competitions and “Open Lecture Days,” in partnership with student clubs and faculty, to attract high-performing students from diverse regions.
Measure 2.2: Design and launch at least two new Master of Science programs (e.g., Business Intelligence & Data Science; Double Degree on MBA) by 2027, based on market research and industry feedback.
Measure 2.3: expand Erasmus+ and bilateral mobility agreements to ensure that at least 10% of enrolled students participate in international mobility programs by 2028.
Measure 2.4: Strengthen the Academic advisory system. The Academic Advisory System will be reinforced through structured small-group or individual meetings beginning in the first semester. Advisors will regularly discuss student progression, attendance, academic performance, and career planning. All sessions will be digitally documented to build institutional memory. Advisor–student ratios will be optimized, and Teaching Assistants will assist with coordination and follow-up.
Measure 2.5: A Departmental Mentorship Program will be established for high-performing students. Distinguished alumni and senior executives from reputable companies will provide mentorship focusing on professional development, leadership skills, and industry exposure. A clear policy will define mentor roles, selection criteria, meeting structure, and evaluation.

The BUS Department is committed to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students and strengthening collaboration with industry and innovation ecosystems. Aligned with EPOKA University's strategic priorities, the department will integrate entrepreneurship and digital innovation into its curriculum, while supporting student-led initiatives and real-world problem-solving.

To empower students as future innovators and job creators, the department will promote start-up development through mentorship, competitions, and project-based learning. Partnerships with businesses, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), and innovation hubs will be expanded to provide hands-on experience and facilitate knowledge transfer.

By building a dynamic environment that connects education with entrepreneurship, the department aims to enhance student employability, encourage innovation, and contribute to regional development.

Specific Goals for Theme 4:

Goal 4.1: Integrate entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital business courses into the BUS curriculum.
Goal 4.2: Propose a lightweight, cost-neutral virtual incubation and mentoring framework leveraging industry partnerships.
Goal 4.3: Develop partnerships with local businesses, start-ups, NGOs, and innovation hubs to enable collaboration and knowledge transfer.
Goal 4.4: Promote innovation and entrepreneurship through competitions, workshops, and panel events.

Measures in Order to Reach the Goals Under Theme 4:

Measure 4.1: Introduce specialized elective courses in entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and startup development across bachelor and master programs.
Measure 4.2: Launch a BUS Incubation Program with mentoring support from academic staff and external entrepreneurs.
Measure 4.3: Sign cooperation agreements with start-up ecosystems, chambers of commerce, and social enterprises for joint projects and internships.
Measure 4.4: Organize an annual young researchers conference, competitions and innovation/industry week.