Europe : Albania : Epoka University

History

Established in Tirana, Epoka University was founded by the contribution of Turkish Entrepreneurs and is based on the successful experience of the much-acclaimed Turkish Colleges, which have been operating in Albania since 1993. More than 3000 students have graduated from these schools, whereas currently 4000 students continue their studies at these 15 educational institutions. Providing an international level education, the Turkish Colleges have become the first choice school for many Albanians. Most of the students graduating from these colleges, follow their university and post-university studies in Turkey, Europe and United States. Many of these excellent students have returned to Albania to contribute to the establishment and development of Epoka University.

Epoka University was founded in order to address the needs of Albania and the Balkans for an institution of higher education based on the American Educational System. The objectives of the founders are to increase the quality and effectiveness of education and training systems in the region, to facilitate the access of all to the education and training and to open these systems up to the wider world. Raising the quality and standards of learning is essential if Albania is to become a more competitive and dynamic society in this age of globalization and if its citizens are to be able to develop their own skills to their full potential.

Epoka University attracts exceptionally talented students and challenges academically the motivated students to work to their fullest intellectual capacities. In all of its programs, the University seeks to enhance the self-development of students so that they will become informed and effective participants in public affairs and in all of their subsequent educational and vocational pursuits. To that end, EPOKA provides a challenging and supportive living and learning environment that encourages students’ active participation in residential life, student organizations and social events.

Vision

To become a powerful education and research institution comparable to international first-ranking universities, to create links with the national and international knowledge and technology world but at the same time to preserve the institutional culture, identity and originality.

Mission

“Epoka” University in all of its activities aims at consistently achieving contemporary, national and international higher academic standards as well as supporting the educational aspirations and achievements of everyone who wants to benefit from private higher education in a stimulating environment. With its mission, Epoka University aims at promoting scientific development and cultivation of sensitivity and feelings of responsibility and commitment to human, community, culture, events of different issues that concern the individual and the community.

Epoka University In Albania

Following Albania`s application for EU membership and its aspiration to become a member of this Union, every plan and strategy in the context of higher education must be undertaken in line with the European Union legislation and policy, and particularly with a view to the single market. This market is based on the principle of the free movement of people, capital, services and goods. In order to reach this goal, the European Union Countries have established significant changes in the higher education systems. The Bologna process is a step toward the reforming of the higher education in the European Union. The envisaged European Higher Education Area (EHEA) will facilitate mobility of students, graduates and higher education staff by offering easily readable and comparable degrees organized in a three-cycle structure (e.g. bachelor-master-doctorate) and assuring fair recognition of foreign degrees and other higher education qualifications.

Even though Epoka University is based on the American system of higher education, it has also adopted the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits, which constitute a crucial element of the Bologna Process. This fact as well as the English-only education provided at Epoka University will greatly facilitate the mobility of Epoka University students within the EHEA as well as that of foreign students to Epoka.

Epoka University has also established a selection process for the admission of prospective students.

In the spring of each year, the University holds an entrance exam and an English proficiency exam for those students who wish to enroll for the following academic year. In fact, Epoka University is the only private higher education institution in Albania applying an entrance exam for students’ selection. The average high school GPA of the students enrolled in our departments for the 2008-2009 academic year was 8.45 out of 10.

At the same time, Epoka University is the sole institution in Albania which offers an English-only education. The duration of academic programs is four years based on the American system, however the course credits are also given according to the ECTS, which enables students’ mobility within the EHEA in compliance with the principles of the Bologna process. Therefore the diploma offered by University gives the chance to every student to compete and find employment all over the world.

Epoka University has employed highly qualified faculty whose competence and experience is measurable through international standards. Nearly 80% of the academic staff comes from abroad, mainly Turkey, Italy, Austria, UK, USA and Macedonia.

For an effective education, Epoka University puts special emphasis on the use of technological infrastructure and information technology. Web-based education is also considered very important at Epoka University.

Besides many universities in Albania, Epoka University has managed to sign within the short-term several memoranda of understanding with distinguished universities in the Balkans, Europe and USA.

Academic Programs

Epoka University provides programs in first, second and third cycle study programs. It consists of two faculties, divided into the following departments:

The programs offered by Epoka University:

Undergraduate (First cycle) Programs:

i. Architecture (4 academic years);
ii. Civil Engineering (4 academic years);
iii. Computer Engineering (4 academic years)
iv. Economics (4 academic years)
v. Banking & Finance (4 academic years);
vi. Business Administration (4 academic years);
vii. Political Science and International Relations (4 academic years).

Graduate programs

Second Cycle Programs

i. Master of Architecture (2 academic years)
ii. Master of Science in Civil Engineering (2 academic years) Profile: Structural Engineering
iii. Master of Science in Civil Engineering (2 academic years) Profile: Construction Management
iv. Master of Science in Computer Engineering (2 academic years)
v. Master of Arts in Banking and Finance (2 academic years)
vi. Master of Business Administration (2 academic years)
vii. Master of Arts in Political Science and International Relations (2 academic years)

Third Cycle Programs

i. Master of Second Level in Architecture (1 academic year)
ii. Master of Second Level in Civil Engineering (1 academic year)
iii. Master of Second Level in Computer Engineering (1 academic year)
iv. Master of Second Level in Banking and Finance (1 academic year)
v. Master of Second Level in Business Administration (1.5 academic year)
vi. Master of Second Level in Political Science and International Relations (1academic year)
vii. Master of Second Level in European Studies (1 academic year)

Eu Short-Term Perspective Of The New Campus

The University is planning to move within the short-term to the new campus near the Rinas “Mother Theresa” International Airport. The new campus will have a maximum capacity of 4000 students in an area of 60. 000 square meters. The implementation of this ambitious project, which will be the biggest and most modern university campus in Albania, will support the high quality of staff and students with modern infrastructure.