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UNIVERSITY

No.5, March 2009

NewsLetter

International School of Architecture and Urban Development Policies

• IKSH_POLIS: A Space for Scientific Research and Practice! • “Forum A+P”: The first periodical in Albanian for Architecture, Urbanism and City Planning! • U_POLIS: Ensuring monitoring and guaranteeing modern academic standards! • The “Open Forum” and “Cine-POLIS” tradition continues…• Dutch lecturers from Wageningen University at U_POLIS: • Social life in U_POLIS and the Constitution of “The Students Association” • Professional tour in Macedonia: Ohrid Lake Tour! • U_POLIS staff invited for expertise in other institutions. • News from the Research Institute: IKSH-POLIS.

NewsLetter of POLIS University IKSH_POLIS: A Space for Scientific Research and Practice! IKSH_POLIS: A Space for Scientific Research and Practice! After the consolidation of the two main academic units: the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Design, and the Faculty of Urban Planning and Management, during 2008 a third unit was developed: IKSH – Scientific Research Institute. This institute is directed by Mr. Dritan Shutina and consists in four departments: a) Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, b) Metro_POLIS Architecture and Design Studio; c) The Unit of Publications and Communication, and d) PhD Assistance Program and Committee. In this way, U_POLIS builds on the foundations and values of institutions such as

Co-PLAN and Metro_POLIS, and in return brings added value in terms of quality and sustainability. The Institute’s philosophy is the sustainability of human and financial resources, while respecting the autonomy of each unit. Besides the mobilized projects in the market, U_POLIS will finance specific projects that lack a high market demand but have an exclusive value for the university’s academic and scientific objectives. Our aim is to transform U_POLIS in a unique space for scientific research and professional practice.

“Forum A+P”: The first periodical in Albanian for Architecture, Urbanism and City Planning! “Forum A+P”: The first periodical in Albanian for Architecture, Urbanism and City Planning! Lately the first edition of “Forum A+P” - a scientific periodical magazine - was published, by U_POLIS staff. The periodic, planned to be published 3-4 times a year, is the first of its kind in Albanian speaking territories, constituting in this way a professional and cultural event. The magazine goes beyond an isolated forum for U_POLIS, Co-PLAN and Metro_POLIS. Indeed it is an instrument of communication and debate for all professionals in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. The first edition, focused on the public space, was highly appreciated by the readers. The magazine has got a scientific committee, linguistic and graphic

editing, scientific references, illustrations, promotional and editorial space. The first edition includes ten articles in Albanian and other four in English and Italian. Each article is accompanied with an abstract in English and Albanian language and also goes along with the authors’ CVs. The authors Besnik Aliaj, Sotir Dhamo and Dritan Shutina encourage all their colleagues, U_POLIS or not, to send their articles at . Good luck “Forum A+P”!

U_POLIS: Ensuring monitoring and guaranteeing modern academic standards! U_POLIS: Ensuring monitoring and guaranteeing modern academic standards!

education. In this context, U_POLIS also completed the Internal Quality Assessment Report, which serves as reference for the accreditation’s final phase. The assessment was completed by GBV (Internal Quality Group), compounded by Rovena Cadri, Etleva Dobjani (full-time academic staff), Albana Sulkaj (academic secretary), Ermir Nasi (student’s representative) and Mimoza Cukalla (external expert). Thanks to such efforts, the university has already achieved the recognition and membership in the European Associations of Architecture Schools (AEEA) and European Associations of Architecture Schools Planning (AESOP). Furthermore, through the IAU membership application, POLIS is already included in the UNESCO database.

Being committed to the quality in education, U_POLIS keeps its serious efforts for monitoring and guaranteeing modern academic-scientific standards. The school has established the Quality and Accreditation Unit- NJCA, responsible for the academic process assessment. By the end of each semester, the results of ‘Students Valuation’ questionnaire are added to the students’ informal comments regarding each course. Intensive contacts are held with MASH (Ministry of Education and Science) and APAAL (Accreditation Agency) through regular annual reports. The Accreditation Agency, after starting the official procedures for the U_POLIS institutional accreditation, invited Mr. Sotir Dhamo to present the U_POLIS experience in a seminar regarding quality issues at university

The “Open Forum” and “Cine-POLIS” tradition continues… The “Open Forum” and “Cine-POLIS” tradition continues… U_POLIS Open Forums are now a tradition also for the professional community beyond university. During the first term the following presentations were enabled: a) Peter Nientied (Netherlands), on Rotterdam Architecture; b) Joa Ljungberg (Sweden) curator and art researcher for applied art and architecture; c) Skender Luarasi (USA), on the use of informatics and generating processes in architecture; d) Endrit Marku, on the cultural pole near Kinostudio area Tirana, and Dorina Papa on the intervention in the historical area of Tripoli Libya; e) Gezim Qendro, on the

design of Kinostudio building, Tirana; f) Arben Shtylla, on the Venice Biennale; g) Dominique Taffin (France), on the application of modern methods in industrial design. The Forum’s tradition is further enriched with the organization of “Cine-POLIS”. Peter Nientied (Netherlands) organized the projecting of “Qatsi” trilogy: I) Koyaanisqatsi: Life out of balance, II) Powaqqatsi: Life in transformation, III) Naqoyqatsi: Life and war, by Fransis Ford Coppola. Meanwhile, every Thursday students and staff have got the opportunity to follow the projections of the “Film Club” of “Marubi” partner Academy.

Dutch lecturers from Wageningen University at U_POLIS: Dutch lecturers from Wageningen University at U_POLIS: A daily workshop regarding sustainable urban planning was held by 2 Dutch lecturers, Wim Timmerman and Dr. Jos Jankhoff, invited by U_POLIS, with the participation of students from the first and second year of Faculty of Urban Planning and Management. The lecturers were assisted by Kalterina Shulla,

expert of MPPTT and former student of Wageningen University, as well as Elona Karafili, U_POLIS lecturer. The students attended carefully the presentations and the practical situations and also disputed with high interest sustainability issues. After such a positive experience, the university chairmen confirmed the organization of a specifically designed course on the same subject for the next academic year.

Social life in U_POLIS and the Constitution of “The Students Association” Social life in U_POLIS and the Constitution of “The Students Association” A top moment for the U_POLIS socio-academic life was the organization of the campaign for the “Students Association” elections. This process was attended by the Senate and Administration representatives who expressed their appreciation for the democratic attitude and the seriousness shown during the process. The Students Association consists in a team of students: Glodian Dauti (Arch.3), Florid Virjoni (Arch.2), Felissia Veliu (Arch.1), and Ermir Nasi (Plan.1&2). Glodian Dauti was elected as Chairman, and also as the students’ representative in Senate.

Ermir Nasi represents the students in the Internal Quality Evaluation Unit, in U_POLIS accreditation process context. Parallel with academic activities, U_POLIS students and staff are trying to stimulate an optimal social climate as well. The last Fridays of every month are considered as reflection moments between students and academic tutors, followed by Friday’s social evening. Meanwhile a professional-social tour was organized in Macedonia: Ohrid Lake Tour. “Students Association” successfully organized the “Ball of the end of the year” and charity initiatives.

Professional tour in Macedonia: Ohrid Lake Tour! Professional tour in Macedonia: Ohrid Lake Tour! On November, U_POLIS organized an alternative social and professional tour with the participation of over one hundred students and academic staff from both Architecture and Urban Planning schools. This tour included guided visits in specified areas of the cities of Elbasan, Pogradec, Struga and Ohrid. A special attention was dedicated to historical areas in Elbasan and Ohrid, while in cases of Struga, Ohrid and Pogradec

the focus was the analysis of lakeside urban and touristic developments. This tour’s objective was to traverse the entire perimeter of Ohrid lake region and explore its main historical, cultural and tourist nodes. Another special professional visit was paid to Hotel “Drim” Struga, with the assistance of hotel administrators. The main aim was to better understand the functional scheme and the designing principles of this historical tourist complex.

U_POLIS staff invited for expertise in other institutions. U_POLIS staff invited for expertise in other institutions. A considerable part of U_POLIS staff is invited by other public or private institutions to contribute with their expertise. For instance: I) INSTAT invited Dritan Shutina to become member of its Leading Board; II) MTKRS has respectively invited Sotir Dhamo and Besnik Aliaj as members of the National Council of Restoration; and the Advisory Committee of Private Sector of Tourism.

They both also lead final diplomas near FIN, Polytechnic University of Tirana; III) Gazmend Haxhia is invited as member of the Board of Trusties by AUK, American University of Kosovo; IV) Gezim Qendro is a guest lecturer at “Marubi” Film Academy, and New York University, Tirana; V) Rovena Cadri is also engaged in Platforma-IDR (Institute for Democracy and Reforms); VI)Vezir Muharremaj, is part of the PhD commission of the Agricultural University of Tirana, etc.

News from the Research Institute: IKSH-POLIS News from the Research Institute: IKSH-POLIS Co-PLAN: on December 2008, for the fifth year consequently, organized the ceremony of the national “Leadership Award”, which includes awards on Civil Society, Media, Business and Governance, with the main focus on the social impact and responsibility. The winners were: Altin Hazizaj; Adi Krasta; “Mother Teresa” Airport and Albanian Posts. The Special Prize on the award’s fifth anniversary was given to Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu, President of Kosova. The awards attract attention of wide public and media.

Metro_POLIS: declared the beginning of co-operation with university “Carrier Office”. It will identify and hire every year the most talented students of U_POLIS. This initiative will be followed also by Co-PLAN and other professional public-private institutions, aiming to guide students for their life-professional carrier since in earlier stages of university education. PhD Program: the PhD Assistance Program began its function under the guidance of Dr. Peter Nientied (Netherlands). Under such Program, U_POLIS assist its own staff to increase their scientific capacities mainly through “sandwich-type” programs with other partner academic institutions. So far, the Program has identified the interested staff on “master” and “doctoral”

Message from Partners! Dear Friends,

Regards, Johan Anrys, Studio 51N4E, Belgium.

News from the “CONSORTIUM”: A. The Meeting of the Rectors of “Albanian University Consortium” has co-signed a Joint-Agreement on scientific and academic cooperation. The purpose is establishing a common lobbying initiative and share resources and efforts, for the best of students and academic staff. Consortium involves U_POLIS, Luarasi University, Marubi Academy, and European University of Tirana. On basis of the Agreement, the students and staff will benefit free access in common infrastructure and respective activities, notably in four university libraries. It will also interchange researchers and academic staff, especially in common fields of interest, in elective subjects, and joint projects, etc. B. Concerned and disappointed for the situation of “Marubi” Film and Multimedia Academy, U_POLIS and its “Consortium” partners addressed Albanian authorities and encouraged them to find a legal and practical solution with such reputable Academy, via peaceful negotiations instead of the use of force. Cultural and educative institutions need different and more flexible treatment regarding legal and fiscal aspects compare to pure private-business initiatives. In this case, it is time for more realistic policies, despite of the admirable attempts of authorities for the introduction of the private education sector.

The informative newspaper

U_POLIS Newslette

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Thank you for the periodical update of information on POLIS. I am happy to see you are building a forum and interchange network for information and studies. This is to my opinion the way to establish a qualitative professional discussion. I hope this discussion can reach students, politicians and above all the professional offices and practices in Albania. Albania is in need of this more than ever since the change is happening at great speed.