"Empower Youth, Prevent Violence!"
The Department of Education in KU Bedër, in cooperation with Women's Network "Equality in Decision-Making", organized today the training on "Empower Youth, Prevent Violence!".
Mrs. Edlira Çepani, head of the organization Women's Network "Equality in Decision Making" together with her team, and under the special care of lecturer Erilda Ajazi, realized this workshop with the participation of the students of Bedër University College. Education students, English language and literature as well as Communication Sciences students participated actively in the workshop, engaging in interactive activities and games related to the subject.
The workshop "Strengthen Young People, Prevent Violence!" aimed at informing young people and promoting healthy relationships between them and beyond in society. This workshop gave students the opportunity to discuss their role in defining healthy relationships among adolescents, stereotypes and gender roles, factors influencing the creation of abusive relationships, as well as the system of referral of cases of domestic violence and based gender.
Through this training, students explored issues related to:
• Gender roles and stereotypes.
• Romantic relationships and violence in early romantic relationships with young people.
• The phenomenon of bullying: determination of victim, aggressor and witness.
• Cyber Bullism: Social Media as a New Form of Abuse in Young People.
• Engagement of the influencers: peers, parents, teachers and psycho-social service.
• Reporting and providing assistance to cases of gender-based violence.
Workshop on "Fake News, media problem or democracy?"
Department of Communication Sciences at "Bedër" University College organized a workshop on "Fake News, Media Problem or Democracy?"
The workshop was attended by the Ambassador of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Bernd Borchardt, Head of Department of Journalism and Communication at the University of Tirana, Prof.Assoc. Dr. Mark Marku, renowned analyst and journalist Lutfi Dervishi, Head of the Union of Journalists, Alexander Çipa, media scholar, representatives of PR offices and communication and journalism students.
The activity was opened by the Head of Communication Sciences Department, Dr. Erlis Çela, who said that the tradition of organizing the workshop is annual and aims to address coherent topics of importance to the media and communication field. Regarding the topic selection for this year, Dr. Çela said that "fake news", a term that got fame after the presidential election in America, is not just a phenomenon that is mentioned in the circles of journalists but is already a phenomenon that has attracted the attention of media and audience researchers.
Then the speech was received by the Rector of Bedër University College, Prof. dr. Dr. Ferdinand Gjana, who said that accessibility opportunities are increasingly being used by citizens to publish information on the Internet, where distribution in these networks may have different nuances, ranging from positive approaches such as social support for help in producing misleading content and prejudicial comments. According to him, organization of this format is important as they discuss ways of healthy development of free speech, starting with the critical role that media professionals have.
The Ambassador of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Bernd Borchardt said that the phenomenon of false news has existed since early, but with technological development, its impacts are more apparent. He said that people who are directly affected by this phenomenon suffer the most from the consequences, mentioning a personal case of how his name was part of the phenomenon of false news. As a solution, Mr. Borchard suggested verifying the facts before the news release, empowering the community of media professionals, media education and more media freedom.
Meanwhile, Lutfi Dervishi, stopped at the risk of "fake news". He said that attention should focus on "fake news" as an economic benefit system. Dervishi brought to attention the case of some young people from Macedonia who produced false news against Hillary Clinton in the recent presidential election in the United States, making financial gain. According to Mr. Dervishi, the solution should be sought to return to the traditional principles of journalism, paying attention to the fact-finding of journalists.
Media representatives and media commentators Mark Marku, head of the Department of Journalism and Communication at the University of Tirana, spoke about the need to review the principles of journalism. Professor Marku said that we should not judge a problematic phenomenon as "fake news" starting from the journalism rates of several decades ago. Fatos Hakorja, Roland Zili, Roland Qafoku, Pandi Gjata, Lazar Semini, who said that "fake news" poses a risk not only for the media but also for the essence of democracy. Media leaders and present journalists provided solutions to media education for audiences, control of news sources before publication, and a return to the deontological and professional values of journalism.
Representatives of public relations offices from various agencies and institutions, such as Eva Kushova and Elda Gjoka, said that in this phenomenon the individual is most vulnerable, as the media may have the ability to self-regulate and better manage the free speech.
Throughout the workshop, important discussions took place, which brought additional perspectives on the phenomenon of the fake news.
5th International Conference on English Language and Literature
Bedër University College in cooperation with the University of Tirana, Burch University and the British Council, organized the Fifth International Conference on English Language and Literature. In this conference participated from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Turkey and America.
During the parallel sessions, there was a variety of presentations from the research work of participating academics, touching on different topics and issues, and by conveying new ideas and suggestions for listeners.
The Department of English Language and Literature has already turned the tradition of involving students by giving them the opportunity to present their research work at such conferences, where there was a large number of student attendance. Their presentations had a very positive impact both on other students and academics who already have experience in this field.
Bedër University College organized for the second consecutive year the award ceremony for graduates. This event was attended by graduates, academics and the administrative staff who have given their contribution to the university over the years, as well as distinguished figures from the fields of literature, culture, art and education.
The ceremony was opened by the representative of the Alumni Office, Jola Marku, who emphasized that this office, under the example of western universities, aims to influence the shaping of a culture in terms of university-graduate activities and relations. She said that the best indicators of university success are employed graduates and their achievements, so the organization of the awarding event is evaluative and motivating, but at the same time a show of mutual success between Beder University College and its graduates.
Then a speech was held by the Rector of Bedër University College, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Gjana, who said that this activity is already part of the "Bedër" tradition, serving as a platform for graduates to share their experiences. He praised the activity, pointing out that such a format in Albania is a model within university relations with graduates over the years.
During the ceremony, a total of 12 prizes were awarded, 6 of which were awarded for gratitude and encouragement for former students Mandrit Kamolli, Kadim Rufati, Uejda Kadrija, Sonila Qazimi, Albi Çela and Arjola Buzi, who have become inspirational models thanks to their work and achievements in their professional careers. Meanwhile, 6 other special prizes were chosen by the academic staff of the university to be awarded to personalities in the field of arts, science, culture, literature and education for their contribution, among them: Mirela Arqimandriti, Daniel Klingenberg, Mirush Kabashi, Uran Butka, Xhemal Balla and Shpëtim Tasha.
Bedër University College develops ICESS 2018
Faculty of Philology and Education, Department of Education Sciences at "Bedër" University College, in cooperation with the University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi", organized for the sixth consecutive year the International Conference on Educational Sciences and Social Sciences: "Challenges in Science Education and Social Sciences for the 21st Century ".
The conference was attended by about 40 referrals from 6 different countries around the world. ICESS 2018 is an international interdisciplinary conference that brings together scholars, researchers, lecturers and graduate students to share experiences and findings of their research work, and to discuss current challenges in the field the science of education and social sciences and the solutions proposed to face these challenges.
The conference papers were greeted by the Dean of the Faculty of Philology and Education, and the conference's head, Prof. Neither. Dr. Tidita Abdurrahmani, as well as from the Head of Education at the University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi", Ms. Eranda Halluni, which outlined some of the problems that currently accompany the education sciences and social sciences at the level of education institutions of higher education and pre-university education.
Rector of the "Bedër" University College, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Gjana shared with the audience the importance and the fruits of organizing such activities in the field of education and social sciences and emphasized the importance of education as the main promoter in the development of the economy and the assurance of social stability. He expressed his confidence that the conference would come up with valuable recommendations to convey to policymakers in the field of education and social service.
The works of this conference were also welcomed by representatives of international organizations operating in the field of education in Albania, Blerina Celoaliaj, program director at Save the Children Albania, Brisida Jahaj, education expert at "World Vision Albania". Topics such as quality and inclusive education, global education, and the need to contribute to university education of future teachers were brought to the center of discussions of these civil society representatives.
Finally, Mrs. Jahaj, invited as the main speaker, presented World Vision Albania's study of functional illiteracy, accompanied by recommendations for systemic interventions to reduce this phenomenon.