Modernization of higher education in Western Balkan countries by incorporating renewable energy engineering and energy efficiency methodologies in curricula relating to the building sector

Buildings in the Western Balkans (WB) lack severely when it comes to the performance demands
on energy efficiency set forth by the European Commission. The need to support the region’s building sector
to achieve better performance resulted in identifying a requirement for higher education reform,
incorporating components of both active and passive design elements and engineering on energy efficiency,
in programs that relate to construction. Within the scope of the EU co-funded project “reZEB- Fostering
Renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency knowledge towards new zero energy buildings of
engineers and professionals in Western Balkan countries”, a group of seven universities and one vocational
school cooperated to modernize curricula in Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. The project modernized
sixteen modules and introduced ten new modules in various fields pertaining to sustainability in the built
environment. The process included technical aspects, supported through advanced laboratory equipment
and applications. Herein, we present a rare example of a comprehensive effort to modernize curricula and
improve targeted professional skills in Albania and Kosovo. The paper describes the process followed and
the educational targets covered, and discusses the preliminary results of the assessment feedback, aiming to
produce professionals able to understand and take advantage of the opportunities that green technologies
offer on environmental, social and economic levels.