TUMO Tirana hosted Junior Achievement of Albania’s “Financial Boot Camp” in attendance of the Chairman of the Board of the AADF, Mr. Michael D. Granoff, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Nina Guga, and AADF Co-CEOs, Mr. Aleksandër Sarapuli, and Mr. Martin Mata.
Students were presented with a business challenge, worked in groups, brainstormed and pitched on a given business challenge, assisted by JAA Alumni mentors. “Finance Boot Camps” are a new approach to educating students on how to make money, save, invest, learn how to use credit and how to manage personal finances.
The winning team was awarded scholarships to attend the Tumo Tirana and further solidify their technology skills. We are excited to see them evolve in their journey and hear about their innovative ideas in the future.
The next generation of innovators needs the right skills and resources to understand what Artificial Intelligence is, how it is designed, and why it is important in today’s digital world. We have identified a strategic opportunity to partner with Intel® and offer an innovative program that will empower Albanian students with AI tech and social skills. AI for Youth is currently being implemented in more than 20 countries worldwide, with participants gaining and applying AI skills to solve real-world problems.
AADF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the AI for Youth project, a 2.5-year program that will be piloted in 5 public schools and 2 training centers. We will build 7️ AI labs providing the certified teachers and students the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of AI and demystify it by equipping them with the mindset and skills required for AI readiness.
The AADF Chairman of the Board Mr. Michael D. Granoff and the Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Evis Kushi emphasized that this program will provide the Albanian youth an opportunity to learn AI skills and apply them responsibly from a program developed by Intel® – the company that creates world-changing technology and innovation.
The project for the Albanian Jewish Museum was presented by the Israeli Kimmel Eshkolot Architects studio at the National Opera Theater.
Honorable guests of the event were Mr. Michael D. Granoff, Chairman of the Board of AADF, Prime Minister Mr. Edi Rama, Minister of Culture Mrs. Elva Margariti, Her Excellence Mrs. Yuri Kim, US Ambassador to Albania, Mr. Noah Gal Gendler, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Albania, Mr. Christian Steiner, Ambassador of Austria to Albania, representatives from the Embassy of Great Britain and Germany and other guests.
The project for the new museum “embraces” the character of the historic center, although it preserves the past, it interprets in a contemporary way the unique history of coexistence between Albanians and the Jewish community.
“AADF believes that this project is a valuable contribution we are making to future generations,” said Michael D. Granoff, Chairman of the AADF Board.
Digital transformation is crucial for Albania’s path to economic development and AADF has a catalytic role in Albania’s social transformation and economic growth.
Most of AADF’s projects and investments are in Education & Technology, $45.4 Mil. or 50.5% off AADF funds of which 43% include ICT. AADF believes that ICT investments will ensure current & future workforce and will be competitive in a global market. TUMO Tirana, Coding Academy by ProTIK, AI for Youth, and ElementIT are contributing directly to digitalization and technology investments to drive the future development of our country.
AADF in collaboration with the Government of Albania signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the ElementIT project, a 5 years project that will mainly include the set-up of 100 ICT Smart Labs with 1600 computer devices, ICT curricula for 1st -3rd grade, the coding platform as a central learning tool for students as well as, training all ICT teachers involved in the project.
The AADF Chairman of the Board Mr. Michael D. Granoff and the Prime Minister of Albania Mr. Edi Rama emphasized that expanding access to ICT skills from a young age to a wider range of Albanian professionals in a variety of geographic locations will contribute to speeding up the digital transformation in Albania.
Albania is one of the leading countries in the World in terms of international migration, with more than 1.4 million Albanians living abroad and more than 2,500 Ph.D. holders of Albanian origin. This striking fact was presented during the launching event of READ Program. To engage this intellectual potential in the country of origin, the Albanian-American Development Foundation, in coordination with the Institute of International Education, has established the Research Expertise from the Academic Diaspora Fellowship Program (READ). READ Fellowship Program is a 7️-year project that will connect Higher Education Institutions in Albania with the Albanian scientific diaspora and their respective academic institutions.
READ Program will award up to 1️00 fellowship grants to members of the Albanian academic diaspora and up to 1️00 research grants to Albanian resident scholars, aiming to raise institutional capacities and the quality of scientific research.
The first Advisory Council Board was also introduced during the event, constituting of 5 members whose launched the first call starting from January 2022.
The ceremony culminated with the AADF Co-CEOs signing a collaborative agreement with University of Tirana and University of Medicine, to ensure a stronger academic support to the project.
The event and READ program in its entirety were attended and warmly congratulated by
representatives of Higher Education Institutions all over the country, Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, civil society organizations and academics from scientific Diaspora and Albania.
The renewal of the Pyramid of Tirana is one of the most daring projects in the AADF’s almost three decades of development projects and commitment in Albania.
On November 16th, the Pyramid construction site was visited by our Chairman of the Board, Mr. Michael D. Granoff, Co-CEO’s Mr. Martin Mata and Mr. Aleksandër Sarapuli. In the presence of the Prime Minister of Albania Mr. Edi Rama, the Mayor of Tirana Mr. Erion Veliaj presented the progress of works done so far, the architectural and technical details of the project, its landscape and the project’s timeline.
Considered by the Prime Minister as a highly strategical project about youth, the economy, technological development, to transform this building into the largest regional center of innovation and digital technology. We look forward to the completion of this project by 2022.
Five international architectural studios are invited to present their proposals for a contemporary building that blends harmoniously with the historic setting of the historical center of Vlora. It will mark to the urban landscape with an architectural 21st century building.
The international jury will select the winning proposal in December 2021. The project will be further implemented along with an inspiring museum platform which will share with the world the unique story of coexistence between Albanians and the Jewish community.
The Competition procedure is organized by the constancy office [phase eins] in Berlin on behalf of the AADF and the Ministry of Culture.
For more details please visit: https://www.phase1.de/projects_albanian-jewish-museum-competition_e.htm
“At a time when the world closed its doors to Jewish people Albania extended its arm of hospitality. Even among the devastation and death, there were heroes and rescuers and this is important to teach as well” Yael Weinstock Mashbaum,Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center
Every year on January 27-th the entire world commemorates the victims of the Holocaust and reflect on human rights and dignity. On this symbolic day the Albanian-American Development Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Vlora signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Albanian Jewish Museum project.
The Albanian Jewish Museum is an integral part of the re-vitalization of Vlora’s Historical center project. As one of its kind in Albania and the region, this museum will serve as a cultural magnet and present the unique story of Albanians and Jews throughout the history, especially during II-nd WW. It will set a new standard for museums in Albania in terms of management, architecture, exhibition and education.
After closing its preliminary research phase, the initiative of Albanian- American Development Foundation Albanian supported by Ministry of Culture and Vlore municipality is now in its second phase, dedicated to the architectonic and exhibition development project.
The conceptual framework for the museum, designed by AADF together with the consultant Prof. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett proposes the development of a 21-century museum, deeply connected to the place, to those who once lived there and to those who live there today.
“At a time when the world closed its doors to Jewish people Albania extended its arm of hospitality. Even among the devastation and death, there were heroes and rescuers and this is important to teach as well” Yael Weinstock Mashbaum,Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center
Every year on January 27-th the entire world commemorates the victims of the Holocaust and reflect on human rights and dignity. On this symbolic day the Albanian-American Development Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Vlora signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Albanian Jewish Museum project.
The Albanian Jewish Museum is an integral part of the re-vitalization of Vlora’s Historical center project. As one of its kind in Albania and the region, this museum will serve as a cultural magnet and present the unique story of Albanians and Jews throughout the history, especially during II-nd WW. It will set a new standard for museums in Albania in terms of management, architecture, exhibition and education.
After closing its preliminary research phase, the initiative of Albanian- American Development Foundation Albanian supported by Ministry of Culture and Vlore municipality is now in its second phase, dedicated to the architectonic and exhibition development project.
The conceptual framework for the museum, designed by AADF together with the consultant Prof. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett proposes the development of a 21-century museum, deeply connected to the place, to those who once lived there and to those who live there today.
Leadership Award 2020, is the highest recognition of leadership achievement from JA Europe and today Mr. Martin Mata, chairman of BoD of JA Albania had the privilege and honor to be the recipient of this award!
The award acknowledges and celebrates the exemplary leadership of Mr. Mata, which has cherished the vision of JA’s ambitious strategy to have every child in Albania participate in JA activities as part of their education pathway, reaching a 100% penetration in all schools in Albania. Because of such leadership, today, JA of Albania is recognized as the largest and a leading organization in entrepreneurship and financial education in Albania.
Congratulations to Ms. Suela Bala – CEO of JA Albania, members of BoD and each member of Junior Achievement of Albania team for the outstanding results. Their efforts and hard work are highly appreciated!
Thank you to the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth for being such a vital partner in this cornerstone project for the education of kids in Albania!
AADF continues to empower young people to gain new entrepreneurial and business knowledge and own their economic success!