Business Innovation Specialist
Besart L. Hajrizi has successfully completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina” and did his Master degree on Blockchain and Digital Currency at Nicosia University and is currently completing his doctorate studies at the Management School of the Sheffield University. Throughout his master’s degree, he was exchanged for a semester at the University of Vienna through the Erasmus + program, where he was able to finalize his master’s degree.
Upon completion of his master’s degree, he was recruited by Raiffeisen Bank as project manager, but due to academic ambitions, he continued to pursue doctoral studies. Currently, he is lecturing Principles of Management, Innovation Management, and Small and Medium Business Management at the Faculty of Economics at the University “Isa Boletini” of Mitrovica, where is served as coordinator of this academic unit throughout its founding period. Actually, from 2019 to 2023 served as Executive Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center under the University “Isa Boletini” of Mitrovica. He was working as Business Tourism Innovation Specialist and Business Management and Leadership Associate for many projects and assignments, including international standards and certification, networking and partnership, client journey and matchmaking.
Brunilda Licaj is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in the field of tourism, shaped by her career growth in parallel with Albania's economic development. Her profound knowledge and skills have been honed through education, comprehensive studies, and participation in numerous training programs. Brunilda currently serves as a lecturer at Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës, Faculty of Business, where she imparts her expertise through teaching a range of courses at both the Bachelor's and Master's levels.
Her career trajectory has taken her through a diverse range of roles and experiences within the tourism sector, spanning both Italy and Albania. Brunilda's academic achievements include holding two Bachelor's degrees (one from Albania and one from Italy), a Master's degree, and a Ph.D. She has also undertaken various specialized training and qualifications in fields crucial to tourism development and the implementation of best practices. Her expertise extends across a wide spectrum, encompassing areas such as tourism as a 360º economic sector, marketing, media and communication, support for startups, territorial development, economic growth, competitiveness, circular economy, education and scientific research, project design and concept development, project implementation oversight, partner coordination, project application and donor relations, and reporting throughout various project phases (both narrative and financial). Brunilda has actively participated in numerous forums, roundtable discussions, and workshops, establishing herself as a recognized expert on a wide array of topics. Her tenure as a member of the Commission for the Accreditation of Tourist Guides, appointed by the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, and Entrepreneurship from 2016 to 2018, significantly expanded her understanding of Albania's tourism development strategy and the requisite steps to be taken.
Furthermore, Brunilda's role as a Lead Expert or sole expert in various projects funded by donors and diverse funding organizations, including EU programs, SDC, GIZ, Swiss Contact, and other national and international agencies, has further strengthened her professional development.
Prof.Alberta Tahiri holds her PhD degree on Tourism Management, issued by the University “Shën Klimenti i Ohrit” while her doctoral thesis was “Managerial competences towards crafting effective and controlling strategies, as factors for tourism development in Peja municipality”.
Alberta’s experience starts with deputy director at Peja Didactic Center (2008-2009), then, working at the speaker’s office at Peja municipal assembly, to continue with academic engagement, from 2014 onwards, including, full-time professor Ferizaj University of Applied Sciences and currently, full-time professor at Peja Public University “Haxhi Zeka”, within the Faculty of Management of Tourism, Hospitality and Environment.
Prof. Assoc. Dr. Alberta Tahiri presented her research papers in many national and international conferences and seminars. Some of her scientific publishing papers: “Turizmi i qëndrueshëm si potencial për promovimin e trashëgimisë rajonale, ushqimit lokal, traditave dhe diversitetit - Rasti i Kosovës” (2022), “Ndikimi i motivimit në performancën e punonjësve në industrinë e hotelerisë” (2022), “Procesi i komunikimit në ndërmarrjet në Kosovë: Llojet dhe drejtimi i rrjedhës” (2021), “Industria e Turizmit dhe Hotelierisë: Përkufizimi, konceptet dhe zhvillimi - Rasti i Kosovës” (2021), “Organizimi si një funksion i menaxhmentit dhe llojet e strukturave organizative që zbatohen në NVM-të në Kosovë” (2021), “Vendimmarrja dhe aplikimi i teknikave të vendimmarrjes në NVM-të në Kosovë” (2021) etc.
University professor Vladimir Kitanovski is working at State University Mother Teresa in Skopje North
Macedonia. His work is focused on the creation and implementation of nature-based solutions and
new technologies for digitalized and greener sustainable development of the business eco-system.
Asst. Prof. Kitanovski has started working at Mother Teresa University Skopje in 2020 but working with
implementation of International EU projects he started at 2013. The first certificate from 2013 was
honored on 5th of February, for successful completion of 80 hours educational training in the
project “Agrotourism and sustainable rural development of countryside” within the framework “Certification of professional skills in the field of Agrotourism in the Cross-border region of Greece –
North Macedonia. Until today he had many roles in project writing and implementation, from
various donor programs like EU programs, USAID, IPA-CBC and World Bank. He oversaw the development of project applications, was leader of the project team for implementation of project activities, coordination with international partners, dissemination, and communication of project results.
Among his key competences are grouped as below:
Development of new technologies for digitalization of business eco-system
Development of methodology for implementation of sustainable management in the tourism
sector
Creation of big data models for improvements of big enterprises and SME’s
Science engagement to policy decision makers
Before he started to work as a university professor, he worked for 3 years in the private sector of
tourism and hospitality, as a head of department in a 4-star hotel in the city of Bitola. As representative of the business sector, in this job position he successfully implemented the National government project for support of tourism hit from Covid -19. From his work he continuously publishes
scientific articles in eminent scientific journals and attends international scientific conferences and
workshops. His project “Smart TTI” was supported from the EU4TECH platform, which gave TA in
development of PoC time temperature indicator. With this project he participated on international
conference organized by JRC “Strengthening Technology Transfer in the EU - Focus on the Western
Balkans and South-East Europe” in Trieste Italy. Prof. Kitanovski is a full Management committee
member in the COST action called NEXUSNET which is a network on water-energy-food nexus for a
low-carbon economy in Europe and beyond
Dr. Aleksandra Gardasevic-Slavuljica, a Senior Tourism Executive
and Strategist, is renowned for her international consulting
background and expertise in sustainable tourism, organizational
excellence, and corporate governance. Currently consulting for the
Royal Commission of Al'Ula, Saudi Arabia, she plays a pivotal role in
promoting Alula as a premier luxury tourism destination.
In her position as Director General for Tourism, Dr.
Gardasevic-Slavuljica authored significant tourism documents for
Montenegro, contributing to the country's strategic development.
She actively participates in international organizations like UNWTO
and the European Commission, focusing on medical tourism,
wellbeing, and climate change.
Recognized for her contributions, she received accolades such as
the prestigious 'Maldivian Queen Khadeejah statuette' from the
Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Maldives. Beyond public
service, she has held influential roles in the private sector, operates
a private consultancy, and holds positions in organizations like the
World Tourism Network.
Dr. Gardasevic-Slavuljica's dynamic international presence is
marked by her speaking engagements at prestigious events
worldwide. Her educational background includes a PhD in Business
Administration, Marketing, and HR, an MBA in Business Management,
and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration & Management.
This academic foundation, coupled with practical experience,
forms a remarkable synergy.
