Eltjana Plaku

2025-2026 University of Chicago Scholar

Headshot of Eltjana Plaku, 2025-2026 University of Chicago Scholar

Albania

Consultant, World Bank

Mobilizing innovative tools in emerging economies to support sustainable growth and opportunities for youth

Eltjana Plaku is dedicated to expanding access to quality education in Albania and empowering young people through technology. Eltjana spent five years as a Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist on a vocational education project in Albania, where she co-designed and monitored data-driven interventions aimed at enhancing the quality and relevance of skills development. In 2015, she co-founded Gjimnazistet.al, a free online platform providing math and physics content to Albanian high school students preparing for national exams, enabling access to learning resources for over 1,200 students who couldn't afford private tutoring. Building on the experience and insights gained from this project, Eltjana now aims to explore new, innovative ways to expand access to digital learning, potentially focusing on primary education. She hopes to use the Scholars program to refine this vision and develop a sustainable, future-oriented initiative that offers inclusive, accessible, and relevant education, empowering young learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

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The Obama Foundation Scholars program gives rising leaders from around the world who are already making a difference in their communities the opportunity to take their work to the next level.

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