"The Faculty of Economics at Luarasi University is experiencing a dimensional development and expansion," said Professor Sherif Bundo, invited to the next episode of the podcast "Welcome to Luarasi" with Denisa Kele.
The Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Luarasi University spoke about the profound transformation that the faculty has undergone during the 2025-2026 academic year, describing it as a period of significant changes in study programs, academic staff, and the increase in the number of students.
According to Bundo, during this academic year alone, the Faculty of Economics has recruited approximately 2.5 to 3 times more students in the first year of bachelor's programs in the Albanian language.
"This is a great achievement," he said, adding that another important step was the opening for the first time of two study programs in collaboration with the London School of Economics, in the fields of Finance and Business Administration.
The professor also emphasized that the Faculty of Economics in Luarasi has been chosen as a center of excellence in the Balkans, while also noting another historic development for the university: the opening of the first doctoral program.
"For the first time in Luarasi, we have opened a third-cycle study program, a doctoral degree, on the potential of national economic development," declared Bundo.
He explained that this program is conceived differently from traditional doctoral programs in Albania, uniting the three departments of the faculty in a common direction of scientific research.
"Our country needs scientific research to be oriented towards ideas that increase the pace of national economic development and integrate areas that are not yet integrated into the Albanian economy," said the dean.
Another important focus, according to Bundo, has been the review of curricula.
"There was a long period when curricula were not adapted to market developments and progress in the economy. Conservatism in curricula is a dead end," he said, adding that the Faculty of Economics has undertaken reforms to modernize programs and adapt them to European standards.
The dean also announced that the faculty has applied for study projects funded by the Albanian government and is in the process of re-accreditation for several programs.
"This is a high intensity of staff engagement," he said.
Bundo emphasized that the partnership with the London School of Economics has brought a new spirit to the university and has reformed all programs of the Faculty of Economics.
"They have put us in a more demanding position. A year ago we were going to high schools and telling the graduates that we were going to open new programs with LSE, while today those programs are a reality," he concluded.
