Luarasi University

Energy generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption are vital activities that promote the growth of Albania's economy.The energy sector is an essential component of this sector, and it is responsible for all of these activities.There is a direct correlation between the dependability of the energy supply and the growth of the economy as well as the safety of its customers.Throughout the course of this article, the significance of implementing environmentally friendly digital skills and robust cybersecurity measures into Albania's energy sector is highlighted.The report analyses the new technologies that are causing industries to undergo transformations, and it demonstrates how these technological advancements are affecting the way people work and the skills they require.As a result of the findings of this study, it is clear that updated training and education programs are required in order to provide workers with the necessary skills to deal with the simultaneous crises of digital security and environmental preservation.In light of these transformations, it is necessary to make modifications to the education and training systems.

The Western Balkans, despite their formal commitment to democratic transition and EU integration, remain marked by insufficient socio-political and economic stability, as well as entrenched hybrid regimes and a deepening “Illiberal Social Contract.” In this context, self-proclaimed democratic actors consistently compromise the core values of the rule of law, inclusion, and civil liberties to consolidate clientelist rule and reduce public accountability. Media, civil society, and citizens’ activism remain, in some cases, weak and, in other instances, ineffective, and are unable to challenge this illiberal status quo. This research examines the dynamics of this persistent illiberal equilibrium, questioning the weak rapport between government and society, as well as the generally limited social response to non-democratic practices, despite periodic mobilizations that have achieved little tangible or lasting impact. Drawing on selected case studies across the region, it explores how specific domestic dynamics are more constraining in certain states, thereby excluding genuine democratic change and EU-compatible reforms. This illiberal trap needs to be understood to prepare the EU for its future. While the Union itself is subject to internal and external pressures, the stagnation or backsliding of its closest candidate members has strategic implications, undermining its soft power, regional stability, and credibility as a promoter of democratic norms. The chapter offers suggestions on how the EU, as the leading actor involved in the region, can help reajust the integration path of the Western Balkan countries. A successful transition in the region is not only vital to the Western Balkans but also fundamental to the long-term security, stability, and consistency of the EU’s integration.

Traffic congestion represents a daunting challenge for all facets of urban development, as well as represents a universal problem in all urban areas, to various extents. In recent years, many cities have adopted the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to manage traffic congestion. These systems are indeed useful, but they are mainly geared to predict real-time traffic congestion, yielding to a certain short-sightedness in our prediction model. Through the use of Time Series Analysis, and Regression models for traffic congestion prediction, we posit that we can address the issue. The data that these models were trained on derives from two datasets, namely a dataset from Kaggle and another from the road traffic footage of Tirana. The data then points to Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) being a more accurate time series category, and Support Vector Regression (SVR) to be a better performer than linear regression.

The study aimed to investigate the impact of transformational and instructional leadership models on teachers' performance. The quantitative approach was the method used in the empirical study. A structured questionnaire and a random cluster sample of respondents were taken in the population of teachers and principals of high schools in the main municipalities in the country. The primary data of transformational and instructional leadership models, as well as of teachers' performance were gathered. The study demonstrated a positive correlation between transformational leadership and teachers' performance variables according to teachers, as well as principals. At the same time, the study indicated that the significant variance in teachers' performance is explained by transformational as well as by instructional leadership. The study concluded that transformational leadership in addition to the instructional leadership model impacts teachers' performance. Educational institutions should promote transformational and instructional leadership models as important variables that influence teachers' performance.

The contemporary era has witnessed a significant evolution in diplomacy, transitioning from traditional state-led approaches to more open, multilateral methods and channels. This study evaluates the effectiveness and suitability of the new diplomatic disciplines, particularly in the Western Balkans region, which grapples with numerous structural challenges, ethnic and political divisions, and external interference. The influence of traditional state-centric diplomacy in this region necessitates a shift towards a more participatory, multi-stakeholder approach to promoting positive peace and cooperation. This reframing of diplomacy emphasizes the emergence of regionalism and multilateralism through multi-track diplomacy, involving private individuals, non-governmental organizations, societies, and engaged citizens to foster understanding through dialogue, cooperation, and deeper interaction. The analysis highlights the influence of innovative diplomatic channels interlinked and entrenched through a capillary diplomacy framework essential for regional application while exploring the constraints of traditional methods. It advocates for fresh diplomatic strategies and collaborative initiatives in the Western Balkans through a win-win formula and a participatory model based on multi-track diplomacy -repurposed and redesigned to advance the reconciliation process, rapprochement, and raise public awareness through effective communication in line with the EU integration goals and advancements.

The goal of the study was to investigate the impact of didactic tools and works demonstration on the artistic skills development. The study found a high positive correlation between didactic-artistic tools and artistic skills development, as well as between artistic works demonstration and artistic skills development. Didactic-artistic tools explain respectively 84.5% and 52.8%; meanwhile, artistic works demonstration explains 92.7% and 79.4% of the variance of artistic skills development.

The study aimed to investigate the influence of the school moral and contingency leadership on the positive school climate. The quasi-experimental quantitative approach, a structured questionnaire, and a non-random cluster sample of respondents were used in the empirical study. The study revealed a positive correlation between moral leadership and a positive school climate as well as a low negative correlation between contingency leadership and a positive school climate.

The research aimed to study the relationship between class participation, course project, and final grade in the context of online instruction. A correlational research design was selected to be used in the study. The students in the first year in the master's program of a new university compounded the respondents selected to be surveyed in the research. A systematic list of students' participation in the lectures, as well as their academic progress to gather secondary data, was used in the study. At the same time, the random cluster sample of the respondents (N=146) of the bachelor's degree level was used in the research. The research study revealed a high positive correlation between class participation and final grade variables (r = .710), as well as between course project and final grade variables (r = .826. The study showed that the amount of variance of final grade levels explained by class participation is 50.1%, meanwhile, explained by course project points is 68.0%; the other variance may be described by other variables. This shows that class participation and course project points influence strongly the final grade of students' academic performance.

Migratory movements are part of the early history of human migration and nowadays there are still many migrations from one country to another. Albanian migration after the 1990s has attracted the attention of many different scholars and academics. According to experts, migration has become a key survival strategy but also constitutes an important feature of the Albanian economy and society. This study will investigate the reasons of migratory movements in Albania, and if the expectations of people who migrate have been met or not. Current problematics migrants might have will be analyzed, thoughts and arguments will be considered, whether they would like to stay in the destination country, or if they will try to move to another country or will return to their country of origin. Based on the data obtained, recommendations will be given to the right institutions in Albania, considering eventual measures, to avoid the permanent departure of qualified and educated individuals or to promote temporary migration, or more specifically, the circular migration. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between employment, economic situation of families, the integration in the destination country, the achievements in the destination country and their influence on the motivation to emigrate, creating a new life away from the country of origin, as well as in the decision to stay temporarily or permanently in the country of destination or to move to a new destination country. The study focused on collecting information from the answers received from an online survey with questions about people motives to migrate, addressed to individuals from Albania who have had as their experience the phenomenon of migration. 308 people participated in the study. The study showed that the main reasons for living their country were the level of employment, the economic level of the families, the integration in the country of destination, the purpose achieved in the country of destination. The study concluded that a high percentage of respondents, mostly in EU, confirmed they have adapted to living in the destination country. They are adapted to the language of the host country, to the culture of the country of destination but without neglecting the cultural elements of the country of origin.