It has been over a year since Prof. Dr. Vasilika Kume joined the academic staff at Tirana Business University (TBU). With a long career at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tirana, Kume has a lot to say about TBU—especially about the real opportunities the university provides for students to start and develop careers in business and technology. Among these opportunities are internships at companies within BALFIN Group, in all the countries where it operates, making theory practical and applicable.
For the rector, TBU “doesn’t just follow trends, but builds sustainability through clear values and a clear vision.”
She first reflects on today’s relationship between young people and university studies, then moves on to discuss the future of higher education in the country and concludes by emphasizing the role and contribution of TBU in preparing ambitious young professionals who are well-equipped to face the dynamics of the job market and the power of innovation.
We invite you to read the full interview below:
What motivated you to accept the invitation to join the academic staff at Tirana Business University (TBU)?
After a 40-year career at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tirana, I had doubts about whether I should continue my academic work. TBU attracted me with its modern approach to teaching, its connection to the job market, and the opportunities it offers for institutional development. Throughout my career as a teacher, I’ve always tried to be fair with my students and dedicate myself to shaping them both professionally and personally. This principle has guided every step of mine. When I decided to continue my journey in a new role, I looked for an institution that shares the same values, and I found this at TBU. The decision to join TBU came naturally as a choice to continue contributing to the improvement of education quality in an environment that values experience and promotes positive change.
How would you define today’s relationship between young people and university studies? Has this relationship changed over the years?
Today, the relationship between young people and universities is more practical and aware. University is no longer seen as the only path, but as one of several options, alongside professional programs, technical training, or freelance work. The choice is made based on concrete benefits. This requires universities to be more connected to the market, more flexible, and focused on real experiences like internships, entrepreneurship, and internationalization. The change is continuous and requires an active response from institutions.
How do you see the future of higher education in Albania? Does it need changes in how professional preparation and education are offered to students?
The future of higher education in Albania depends on the ability to adapt to social, economic, and technological changes. Today’s students are better informed, have more global access to information, and have higher expectations from their university experience. This requires a fundamental shift in understanding them: moving from a model that “gives knowledge” to one of co-creating knowledge, skills, and experience.
This means more mentoring, more real projects, collaboration with businesses, and support for personal and professional development. TBU prioritizes these elements through flexible curricula, practical teaching methods, and an active student role in the process. Developing extracurricular skills, especially soft skills, is an integrated part of our model: communication, teamwork, time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving are treated as essential skills for any profession. TBU continually invests in training and activities that strengthen these competencies.
Through the implementation of the “Engagement Policy,” every course aims to create a proactive and collaborative environment. Students are encouraged to participate in discussions, projects, and case study analyses. This approach strengthens individual responsibility, boosts motivation, and connects knowledge with practice, the classroom with real life, and theory with competence.
How do you see TBU’s role in developing students’ skills and knowledge to meet the demands of the job market, especially in the field of management and business?
In a rapidly changing world, we at TBU don’t just follow trends; we build sustainability through clear values and a focused vision. If we compare universities to car brands, Harvard might be seen as an elite “Rolls Royce” with global influence, and the University of Tirana as a classic “Mercedes”, with tradition and stability. TBU? We resemble more of a Lexus—focusing on practicality, reliability, and technology, while maintaining a balanced approach between the traditional and the new.
Our approach is straightforward:
- We respect experience but invest in the future.
- We grow steadily and build a stable environment for students and staff.
- We differentiate ourselves through substance, not just rhetoric.
The university environment is a “red ocean” of traditional competition. Through differentiation, we aim to move into a “blue ocean” of innovation and sustainable uniqueness. Of course, this doesn’t mean ignoring competition, but we don’t see it as our ultimate goal. How do we achieve this? By offering programs that combine business, technology, and life skills; with curricula closely linked to real-world practice; and with a model that doesn’t just provide degrees but builds careers.
Our students engage in case studies, work with real companies, receive mentoring, and build professional networks that support their careers from the start. For us, the university is a laboratory for ideas and action, a space where knowledge transforms into concrete and valuable skills for the market. Our goal is clear: to prepare people who can think, act, and contribute to a complex and evolving world. That’s why we say TBU is more than just a university—it’s a lab for thinking and skill-building.
How important is it for TBU to offer professional opportunities so that students can apply their knowledge in real careers? Can you tell us more about these opportunities and what students enjoy most at TBU?
At TBU, knowledge is never separated from career preparation. A university that doesn’t prepare students for the job market simply adds to the number of graduates. We’ve turned this principle into an ecosystem: from the first year, students are involved in career counseling, soft skills training, seminars with industry experts, and real internships with important companies and businesses, where many of them start their careers.
Our students seek real exposure to the market, not theory disconnected from practice. Here, they work on real projects, develop startups, and participate in international programs that prepare them for studying abroad and for a global job market.
Interest in Erasmus+ exchanges and training programs that combine management, technology, and entrepreneurship is growing every year. Our goal is not just to graduate students, but to shape employable professionals who are able to think, act, and lead. Above all, we aim to prepare citizens ready to contribute with dedication to their country.
Is innovation important in the academic programs offered by TBU? What can we expect regarding programs and teaching methods?
Yes, innovation is a core part of TBU’s academic philosophy and reflects our commitment to staying up to date. This approach includes integrating technology into teaching, using practical methods like projects, simulations, case studies, and offering some programs in foreign languages. We also have increasing international collaborations. Students experience a more flexible learning method, which includes mentoring, hybrid formats, and digital tools that expand the experience beyond the classroom.
For the upcoming academic year, we are launching three new programs that reflect real market needs:
- Professional Master’s in Tourism and Hotel Management – Developed in collaboration with the industry, this program combines knowledge with practice, including updated courses, field experiences, and internships with well-known companies.
- Master’s in Cyber Security and Data Science – Designed to prepare professionals to manage digital risks and interpret data for decision-making. This program combines analysis, security, and technology, which are key fields in every sector today.
- Professional Master’s in Digital Marketing – For students who want to immediately engage with the job market. The program covers practical topics like SEO/SEM, e-commerce, social media management, and marketing strategies, using modern technology tools.
Since its founding, and now with the support of BALFIN Group, TBU has worked to become a space for continuous development, where ideas are tested, improved, and brought to life. Programs are regularly updated, and talent is strengthened through professional development, building a future with vision and commitment.
