Theme 1: Provide a high-quality environment for teaching and learning.

The academic staff of the department, which is highly qualified and experienced, is totally dedicated to the well-functioning of the department organization. Students will be provided with strong support in every course in order to achieve their objectives, and especially special support will be provided for graduating students, in terms of their career plans. For BAF students, updated international literature will be used in each course, whereas for BAFAL students, updated Albanian literature will be used in their courses. Another important aspect is to increase the facilities in the campus for students who want to study or conduct research in any topic. Increased collaboration with public and financial institutions will make it possible for our students to have good internship and job opportunities that match their profiles in those partner institutions.

Specific goals for theme 1:

Goal 1.1: Increase the national and international mobility of academic staff and effectively balance teaching and research responsibilities to enhance academic quality.

Goal 1.2:   Engaging industry experts in areas like fintech, blockchain, digital banking, and sustainable finance can significantly enhance academic learning. Their insights can expose students to current trends, challenges, and opportunities in these evolving fields, bridging the gap between theory and real-world practice.

Goal 1.3: Strengthen the department’s academic and social environment by regularly organizing open lectures, workshops, study visits, and competitions, aiming to increase student engagement and attract new academic staff.

Goal 1.4: Increase the research activity of staff members by encouraging participation in conferences and the publication of papers in high-impact journals, aiming for at least a 20% growth in overall research output by 2028.

Goal 1.5:  Align the curriculum with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to integrate global standards and promote sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical decision-making in finance education.

Measures in order to reach mentioned goals under Theme 1:

Measure 1.1:  Establish at least three new bilateral agreements with international universities by 2028 to enable exchange opportunities. At the same time, increasing the number of qualified staff will make it easier to balance teaching and research workloads.

Measure 1.2: Inviting at least two guest lecturers per year in each course with strong industry experience can enhance learning by providing diverse, real-world perspectives.

Measure 1.3: Utilize student clubs to regularly organize events and maintain constant communication with state and financial institutions to organize student competitions and support social activities. Fostering an environment conducive to enhanced engagement and the attraction of new academic staff.

Measure 1.4: Provide access to highly ranked journals and databases, and frequently organize international conferences to support staff participation, ensuring a 20% increase in research output by 2028.

Measure 1.5: Review and map existing courses to the SDGs, identifying how each course incorporates sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical decision-making during one week of the semester. Ensure that finance courses address topics such as sustainable finance, green bonds, and social impact investing, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Theme 2: Enroll, educate, graduate and provide placement assistance for a high-quality and diverse student body

The current academic performance of the bachelor students at our department is at a high level, despite this we are ambitious to increase even more the level of the students at the department and this is embodied in the university’s strategy as well. Starting from high schools, we invite the high schools’ students interested to study in our department to visit the campus and the department members. Furthermore, using the student clubs to organize open lectures, competitions or workshops among the bachelor students, will enhance their experience and team work. Introduction of new study programs is also an important aspect, as it will not only increase the number of students, but also their quality. It is important also to maintain increasing exchange programs with other universities, as our students get the chance to know new cultures and moreover, we get the chance to get  foreign students from diverse cultures.

Specific goals for the Theme 2:

Goal 2.1:  Attract qualified and academically sound students through the offer of accredited and internationally recognized programs like Evagal and ACCA, 

Goal 2.2:Set up practices and procedures which ensure appropriate support services to ensure high retention and timely graduation rates.

Goal 2.3: Develop career preparation programs, including internships, workshops, and career fairs, to improve job placement rates for graduates.

Goal 2.4:Strengthen partnerships with businesses, financial institutions, and public sector organizations to expand internship and employment opportunities for students.

Measures in order to reach mentioned goals under Theme 2:

Measure 2.1:  Achieve at least a 10% year-over-year growth in enrollment of high-achieving students.

Measure 2.2: Achieve a student retention rate of at least 85% and a graduation rate within expected program duration of at least 75%.

Measure 2.3: Achieve employment through internship courses for at least 80% of graduating students within six months of graduation.

Measure 2.4:  Track the number of internships and job offers resulting from partnerships.

Theme 3: Provide a high-quality environment for research and project development

Over the past years our department members have published papers in the journals and international conferences. For the department to excel in teaching, it is necessary to have strong research records as well. Therefore, this is a significant priority of our department. It can be achieved by combining the teaching load with the research, providing more access to important academic journals, opening a research center led by professors in collaboration with our research assistants and moreover motivating also the students to take part in these research activities.

Specific goals for Theme 3:

Goal 3.1:  Enhance research infrastructure by providing access to advanced databases, software, and scientific journals.

Goal 3.2:   Promote co-creations and  co-design through open and responsible research and  approach

Goal 3.3:   Develop internal grant programs and workshops to strengthen research skills and project development.

Goal 3.4:  Encourage and support the publication of research findings in high-impact journals.

Measures in order to reach mentioned goals under Theme 3:

Measure 3.1: Ensure 100% of academic staff and students have access to key research databases and software by the next academic year.

Measure 3.2:  Establish at least three new research collaborations per year. Increase interdisciplinary project submissions and joint publications by 20% by 2028.

Measure 3.3:  Organize a minimum of one research methodology and project management workshops annually.

Measure 3.4:  Achieve a 20% year-over-year increase in publications in journals ranked in the top two quartiles (Q1 and Q2) by 2028.

Theme 4: Encourage staff members and students to involve actively in social development and extra co-curricular activities

Social development projects are an important part of our strategic plan. Our department is committed to ensuring that knowledge is accessible to all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status or other limitations. By engaging in service learning, students and staff can apply their academic knowledge in real-world contexts, addressing the needs of communities while strengthening the bonds between society and the academic environment. This will not only foster individual growth but also promote social integration and inclusivity.

Specific goals for Theme 4:

Goal 4.1: Integrate community service learning into the department’s curriculum while also providing opportunities for students and staff to engage in social development projects both within the university and the wider community. 

Measures in order to reach mentioned goals under Theme 4:

Measure 4.1.1: Integrate community service-learning projects into relevant Banking and Finance courses. Students will participate in real-world projects that address community needs, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge in service to the community, fostering both civic responsibility and professional skills

Measure 4.1.2: Host an annual workshop on community service methods designed to equip students and staff with practical tools and strategies for engaging in community development initiatives. This workshop will emphasize the integration of service learning into academic coursework and encourage students to pursue socially responsible finance practices.

Theme 5: Provide an environment fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship

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 labor. In this context, EPOKA will encourage entrepreneurial activity, knowledge transfer, and joint research projects with businesses and other organizations.

The Banking and Finance Department will contribute to this initiative by integrating entrepreneurial finance and fintech education into the curriculum, supporting student-led ventures, and promoting collaborative research. The department will establish partnerships with financial institutions, investment firms, and fintech start-ups to create opportunities for students and faculty to engage in innovation-driven projects.

Additionally, the department will support students in developing financial start-ups by providing access to mentorship, seed funding opportunities, and networking events. It will also organize competitions, workshops, and panel discussions to encourage innovative thinking in finance and entrepreneurship.

By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and facilitating industry collaboration, the Banking and Finance Department aims to enhance employability, promote financial innovation, and position EPOKA University as a leader in entrepreneurial education in the region.

Specific Goals for Theme 5:

• Goal 5.1: Establish an hub within the department to support student-led start-ups.
• Goal 5.2: Integrate entrepreneurship and fintech-related courses into the Banking and Finance curriculum.
• Goal 5.3: Develop partnerships with financial institutions, venture capital firms, and fintech companies to foster innovation and industry collaboration.
• Goal 5.4: Organize innovation-driven competitions and workshops to enhance student engagement in entrepreneurship.

Measures to Achieve Theme 5 Goals:

• Measure 5.1: Launch an annual entrepreneurship and innovation fair showcasing student projects and start-ups.
• Measure 5.2:Introduce mentorship programs connecting students with industry experts and successful entrepreneurs.
• Measure 5.3: Establish a research and development center focusing on fintech, digital banking, and financial technology innovations.
• Measure 5.4: Offer financial literacy and investment workshops to equip students with the necessary skills to develop start-ups and innovative financial solutions.