Tirana's Summer School of Business and Technology

When 15-year-old Marsida, from Tirana, first walked into Summer School, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Two weeks later, she left with new skills, greater confidence, and a clearer vision of her future.

“I learned far more than I expected,” says Marsida.

20 young people aged 15–18 participated in this unique programme, organised by Tirana Business University (TBU) in partnership with World Vision Albania. The Summer School combined classroom learning, mentoring, and practical experience to explore the worlds of business and technology from an early age.

Learning by doing

Over two weeks, the teenagers tackled topics such as leadership, innovation, digital marketing, artificial intelligence, programming, time management, and communication. They also took part in the Savings Game, designed to nurture critical thinking and independent decision-making.

“The time management training helped me organise my day better and improve my focus. I realised that productivity begins with smart planning,” says Marsida.

Simulation games, real-world challenges, and group work allowed participants to see the connection between what they learn and the real world of work.

Meetings with CEOs of partner companies, along with daily visits to some of Albania’s most well-known companies, gave these young people a unique chance to see professionals in action. These experiences helped them make a concrete connection between classroom learning and the realities of the job market.

“Visiting these companies and meeting the CEOs made me realise how the skills we learn, like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, are applied in real work settings,” says Geraldi.

One of the most popular activities was the Matrix Game, designed to develop strategic thinking, problem-solving under pressure, and teamwork.

“The Matrix Game was the most challenging, but also the most fun. I felt like I was solving real problems with my team and learned how to work better under pressure. The communication module also helped me improve my teamwork skills,” says Endrita.

Creativity meets Technology

In the web design module, participants explored the basics of HTML and CSS, discovering a constantly evolving technological field while expressing their creativity in digital design.

“This experience helps young people understand what motivates them, what they can achieve, and where they might see themselves in the future,” said Eljona Elmazi, Executive Director of World Vision Albania, at the certificate ceremony.

Fostering an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Altin Sholla, Administrator of TBU, emphasised that initiatives like this nurture an entrepreneurial culture from adolescence, giving young people the tools to think critically and plan strategically.

The partnership between TBU and World Vision Albania aims to inspire young people to:

Think like entrepreneurs

Plan their futures intelligently

Discover and develop their full potential

With hands-on experience, supportive mentoring, and practical challenges, these young people left the programme not just with certificates, but with confidence, skills, and a vision for the future.