This month’s topic, "Entrepreneurship Meets Academia", explored how innovation and education can complement and strengthen one another. The session addressed thought-provoking questions such as: How can academic institutions inspire entrepreneurial thinking? What role can entrepreneurs play in shaping the future of higher education? And what happens when academic theory meets real-world practice?
The featured speaker was Gazmend Haxhia, a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of POLIS University in Tirana. In addition to serving as CEEMAN Vice-President for Corporate Relations, Gazmend leads the Albania franchises of AVIS and Budget Rent a Car and is the founder of Landways International, a travel and events company operating across Europe. With extensive experience in both the business and academic sectors, he offered a unique perspective on the synergies and tensions between these two worlds.
Throughout the session, Gazmend shared personal insights and lessons learned from his dual career, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Participants engaged in a lively exchange of ideas, reflecting on how educational institutions can foster entrepreneurial mindsets and how business leaders can contribute meaningfully to curriculum development and academic innovation.
The informal setting of the Conversations Over Coffee format once again proved to be a valuable space for CEEMAN members to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from one another in a relaxed and open atmosphere.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and exploring more relevant and inspiring topics in the coming months. Stay tuned for future sessions!
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