On 27–28 March 2025, the LEADALKO project held its first Study Visit/ Research Seminar in Piran, Slovenia, bringing together representatives from Albania, Kosovo, Slovenia and Malta. The event’s focus was the development of the Leadership Development Programme for higher education institutions across Albania and Kosovo.
During the seminar, participants explored leadership development models and shared good practices from the UK, Slovenia, Malta, and Italy. Lessons were also drawn from EU-funded projects on leadership like MORHEL, MHELM, and iHiLEAD.
A key highlight was the presentation of findings from a comprehensive training needs analysis involving around 150 survey respondents and some interviews, which mapped leadership strengths and challenges across institutional levels using the HELQS (Higher Education Leadership Qualities and Skills) framework. The study revealed notable differences in self-perception based on country, age, and role. Furthermore, participants engaged with the initial results of the 360-degree appraisal tool, designed to support leadership reflection and development through multi-source feedback.
In group sessions, partners worked collaboratively to outline the Leadership Development Programme structure and discuss the study materials standards. The upcoming programme will consist of seven modules covering key leadership areas: leadership concepts and development; resource management; strategic leadership and governance; curriculum and stakeholder engagement; human resources;
innovation, networks and research impact; and leading institutional change. Piloting of the programme is scheduled for January to June 2026, with two cohorts—one in Kosovo and one in Albania; in total, around 35 persons are planned to be involved in piloting.
The 2 nd Transnational Project Meeting addressed project management and operational planning. Key topics included quality assurance, dissemination strategy,
financial procedures, and the allocation of tasks for the next six months. The consortium also reviewed deliverables, participant plans for upcoming activities, and preparations for the mid-term report, due by the end of October.
The event marked an important milestone for LEADALKO, building momentum toward the leadership programme’s piloting phase and possible future accreditation.
The second study visit (including a transnational project meeting) will be organized in Malta from 2 to 4 September 2025, when a detailed plan for piloting the leadership programme will be prepared.
