What we do?

Students teams from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) collaborate with your organization on a project of interest and importance to you. Our students are in their third-year of university with strong technical skills and an interest in exploring the interaction of science, technology and society.  We have worked with sponsors throughout Albania, and the projects cover a wide range of topics, so almost anything is possible.

If you are interested in becoming a partner with the Albanian Project Center (APC), please contact Center Director, Prof. Robert Hersh (hersh@wpi.edu). We will begin by having a discussion about your ideas for a project and then collaboratively develop a project that is appropriately scoped for a student project team.

How do we work with your organization?

Each year the Albania Project Center typically conducts a set of 6 student projects during B term (late October to mid-December). Project teams are composed of 3 or 4 competitively selected students of science, engineering, management, and the humanities who collaborate with you and your colleagues on-site to address a key problem or opportunity for your organization after a carefully monitored period of preparation in A term (late August to mid-October).

The outcome of their work is a fully documented professional report containing complete results and recommendations as well as a high-quality public presentation of the highlights of their findings suitable for a broad audience. Project teams operate over a fourteen-week period. During the first seven weeks, teams work at WPI in Worcester with their faculty advisors to define the problem, conduct background research, and identify appropriate research methods. The teams communicate regularly with you and your colleagues as necessary during this phase. The preparation period includes training in interview techniques, data analysis, report organization, oral presentation, and other skills.

During the second half of the fourteen-week period, student teams operate full-time (40 hours/week) in Albania to complete their project assignment with the assistance of two WPI faculty advisors. The faculty advisors meet weekly with you and the project team to review progress and future plans. The faculty advisors coach each team in data collection, data analysis, and the presentation of findings, conclusions and recommendations. The project team concludes its effort with a public presentation of results and submission of a detailed written report and other associated deliverables appropriate for the project.

I would be delighted to discuss past projects, the program in general, or ideas you may have for a future project.