Funded by AUF
The AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie) is the largest university network in the world and, as a group of French-speaking universities, it includes in its strategy the development of scientific research, not only in French, but also in other languages. Since USH joined the AUF in 2019, the latter has received two project financing, four internships in the field of translation for students, as well as financial support to allow its teachers to participate in conferences abroad. Funding can also be requested for the organization of events or the publication of scientific works.
- Project idea and its development.
Tourism in Albania is growing rapidly, especially in recent years. In addition to the Albanian Riviera extending to the south of the country, the less explored north is attracting more and more interest for national and foreign tourism. Local government institutions, responsible for the policy of planning and promotion of the territory, are making enough efforts to manage the image of the past or to build a new, even better one, since it is this image that conditions the attitude towards assets, services, tourist offers, investments, etc. This project is designed to meet the needs of continuous promotion of the city/region of Shkodra with the aim of highlighting its specificities, often unique, and transforming them into a strong and meaningful image for any actor at local, national, cross-border and international level. The title of the project is “Creation of a digital platform in foreign languages for the promotion of the territory”. It does not overlap with other existing platforms but brings innovation and additional value.
This project is part of the role that the Faculty of Languages, University of Shkodër “L.Gurakuqi” has been playing for several years in promoting the city/region through:
- exchange with the French-speaking, Italian-speaking, German-speaking, cross-border academic/scientific world (Jean Pierre Monet University, University of Haute Alsace, Euro-Mediterranean Research Group (GREM), University of Montenegro, CISVA, University of Florence, Messina, Bologna, University of Gratz, Austria, University of Vechta, Germany);
- the fruitful partnerships with actors of the representatives of foreign countries of the region/country (Alliance Française, Embassy of France in Albania, Italian Cultural Institute and Embassy of Italy in Albania, Goethe Institute and Embassy of Germany in Albania, Embassy of the United States in Albania).
- What is the project about?
The methodology is adapted to the interdisciplinary nature of the project, thus aiming to develop a lasting collaboration between the regional academic world, the academic world and local institutions, which is reflected in the diversity of the project partners as well as innovating in teaching and scientific research.
The information provided on the platform is complementary to that offered by other actors in the field. It will be collected based on research on travel literature, writings of foreign travelers in previous centuries, which are little known or unknown.
This project includes phases to diagnose the current situation of digital communication for the promotion of the territory, propose solutions, plan implementation and sustainability methods, impact and perspectives.
Several activities follow one another and are complementary such as round tables, training seminars, workdays, doctoral days. Scientific and financial management is entrusted to an interdisciplinary team, some of them coming from French or European institutions or companies providing their expertise in the field.
University scientific research runs through all phases of the project and is projected into the design of a doctoral school. This entire process makes it possible to move from the design of the digital platform to its launch, maintenance, advertising, thus offering something new within the academic world for the benefit of a local and European public, contributing to sustainable tourism.
- What impact will the project have?
- Creation of a digital platform in foreign languages for the promotion of the city/region, its products in tourism, culture, historical memory, social services, innovative ideas, business, gastronomy etc.
- Acquisition of novelties in virtual marketing.
- Drawing up little-known tourist, cultural, literary, natural, gastronomic routes.
- Produce video capsules in different languages.
- Introduce into the curricula disciplines aimed at entrepreneurship in the field of promotion of tourist resources, local products, environmental protection, recycling.
- Strengthen interdisciplinary university scientific research (tourism, geography, intercultural heritage, languages).
- Boost the role of the University of Shkoder as an important player in regional development.
- Implementation of a sustainable methodology for collaboration with any local, national, regional and international partner working for sustainable development
- Stengthen dialogue between the academic community – socio-economic community – public authorities in charge of regional development policies.
- What are the challenges, difficulties and pleasures of the project?
The challenge of the project consists in:
- an innovative approach to the sustainable development of the territory through the digitalization of tourist circuits/destinations, which leads to greater visibility for citizens or visitors, easier access to information in order to meet the growing demand of tourists or foreign investors, thus bringing added value to the city/region.
- the enhancement and promotion of some little-known aspects of heritage (itineraries on the French, Italian, German, English traces in the city, itinerary of travelers/archaeologists French-speaking and foreign writers in the region, itinerary to discover the culinary heritage).
- the exchange and rapid interaction through this digital platform to promote the territory and its attractions.
- The difficulties, as in all challenges, are present and resistant. In this case, the difficulties are due to the compatibility of ancient routes, archaic means of transport and current communication structures.
- The fun of this adventure will be guaranteed, because you will live in contact with nature and all its cultural, social, anthropological, etc. products.
