📃TERMS OF REFERENCE
 

Background and Project Overview 

In today's rapidly evolving world, it is more essential than ever to arm the next generation with the skills and mindset to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Albania faces a significant mismatch between education and occupation (Skills Mismatch in ETF Partner Countries, European Training Foundation, 2022), with the labor market lacking proper expertise in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Incorporating these principles into higher education curricula, while embracing diverse academic perspectives, is a powerful way to nurture creativity, sharpen critical thinking, enhance problem-solving abilities, and ultimately boost employability among students in their respective fields of study. To successfully integrate innovation and entrepreneurship concepts into existing courses, educators must identify the core concepts that align with their subject matter. For example, in science courses, teachers can emphasize breakthrough inventions or new scientific discoveries that have revolutionized industries. In social science courses, students can explore emerging business models like social enterprises or learn how to create positive social change through innovation. A highly effective method for integrating entrepreneurship into existing curricula is project-based learning. This approach empowers students to apply their knowledge and new skills to solve problems and create value for real-world stakeholders. It teaches them how to develop, pitch, and implement business ideas or create innovative products and services that address contemporary societal challenges.  
Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset requires capacity-building and support for lecturers to create a learning environment that encourages creativity, risk-taking, and resilience. Providing frequent feedback, mentorship, and teamwork helps students develop these skills, transforming them into confident problem-solvers who can adapt to an ever-changing economic landscape. Integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into courses in specific study programs and curricula demands deliberate efforts from both educators and institutions, along with external stakeholders and expertise. This collaborative approach benefits all, particularly students. With the proper training, tools, and support, students can become a generation of innovators and entrepreneurs equipped to tackle future challenges. Taking all these factors into account, GERMIN, in partnership with the EU4Innovation Program, is implementing the “Diaspora for Entrepreneurship Education” project. The aim is to drive Albanian HEIs on their entrepreneurial journey by actively engaging 10 Albanian academic diasporas (or diaspora scholars) in co-creating and co-teaching 10 entrepreneurship and innovation courses with their resident scholar fellows. The primary objective of this project is to leverage diaspora expertise and know-how to update existing courses by introducing innovation and entrepreneurship concepts into the curricula across various study programs at Albanian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This initiative aims to prominently integrate concepts of entrepreneurship and innovation, providing students with a practical, real-world framework.  
2. The Purpose of the Call  
The purpose of this call is to engage ten (10) academic diaspora lecturers (or diaspora scholars) in Albanian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to: 

Enhance entrepreneurship education in Albanian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), by improving existing courses introducing innovative and entrepreneurial approaches into curricula across various study programs. 
Engage in co-design and co-teaching of the courses in Albanian HEIs (with the necessity to be physically present in key stages of course development to facilitate effective collaboration). Diaspora scholars will be encouraged to submit proposals for the courses they wish to enhance during the application phase. 
Offer continuous mentorship to faculty members in Albania, facilitating knowledge transfer and support, including facilitating the Albanian lectures/scholars’ study visits in your resident institution(s). 
Supplementary Activities: 


Facilitate workshops, mentor student teams and start-up, and deliver theoretical sessions to enhance learning and foster an entrepreneurial mindset. 
Engage in joint research efforts that result in scientific papers, presentations at conferences, and the formation of consortia for higher education to jointly apply to the Horizon Europe program calls, or other EU funded programmes. 
Recommend a diaspora professional with expertise in the relevant subject matter to offer guidance and mentorship, or to serve as a guest speaker for students or the wider audience. 

3. Duration of Commitment and Expected Results [including Deliverables] 
The commitment duration for diaspora scholars involved in the project is designed to ensure both impact and sustainability.  

The scholars are expected to engage with their paired Albanian Higher Education Institution (HEI) and resident lecturers (over the period from October 2024 – June 2026). During this time, which they will travel to Albania up to three times, and as needed while being in communication with their Albanian counterparts. This would allow sufficient time for meaningful collaboration and the successful implementation of course enhancements.  
The maximum amount allocated for each diaspora scholar is €10,000 (inclusive of taxes, travel expenses, and accommodation). 

The engagement is divided in 3 main phases / packages: 

Course preparation [including also hands-on support to the pear colleague in Albania, including hosting during the study visit] 
Course Co-Teaching [autumn, spring term or summer school]   
Research phase [joint research results in scientific papers/conferences and or consortia building for HE calls applications 

4. Eligibility Criteria and Required Qualifications for Diaspora Scholars 

Albanian citizenship, born in Albania or the child of a person with Albanian citizenship. Albanians from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, etc. are eligible to apply. 
Living and working at a university or research centre in an OECD country University / research centre ranking [example QS World University Rankings: Europe] 
Flexibility to engage in the program throughout the specified period, with the option to divide the engagement into shorter periods if needed. For example, a supporting letter from the dean, head of department, or equivalent authority from the respective university endorsing the scholar's collaboration with any university in Albania (optional at this stage, mandatory for shortlisted candidates). 


Qualification Requirements:  


Education and Training  
Language skills 
General  Professional Experience 
Specific Professional Experience 
Leadership and Management Experience 
Regional experience  

5. Evaluation and Selection Process  
The evaluation process for the diaspora scholars will be conducted in three phases: 

Phase 1: Assessment of all applications.  
Phase 2: Interview / discussion with the short-listed candidates.   
Phase 3: Confirmation of collaboration / Contract signing.  

6. Deadline & Submission of Documents 
Interested diaspora scholars are invited to submit their applications through the Engaging Diaspora Professionals (EDP) platform. The application is online, and the platform allows you to upload your CV and relevant document and complete your profile by adding information step-by-step. 
Find further details in the TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR).  
To apply, please follow the steps below: 

Register HERE.  
Confirm your email. 
Create your profile on this platform HERE.  
Visit THIS call and click the APPLY button. 

The selection is expected to be completed during September, with the engagement starting in mid-October. Selected Diaspora Fellows will be provided with orientation sessions. 
The last date for submission of applications is September 20, 2024, by 23:59 (CET). 
Follow GERMIN on Facebook or LinkedIn to stay informed of the virtual information sessions and other information that will assist your application.  
For any questions, contact us at [email protected]. 
*On behalf of the European Union, Germany and Sweden, EU4Innovation is supporting Germin to unlock the power of Diaspora Expertise for Entrepreneurship Education in Albania.