“Education should give people ownership over their growth.” Interview with Donjeta Sahatçiu, head of 42 Tirana.

Head of Campus at 42 Tirana, Donjeta Sahatçiu comes from a background that spans technology, public service, and education. Having played a key role in bringing 42 to the region, she now shares her perspective on leadership, learning, and what makes 42 Tirana truly unique.

Can you tell us about your background and what you were doing before joining 42?

I’ve been fortunate enough to work in many different fields throughout my career, from tech to public service and education. All of this has enabled me to develop a clear understanding of how ecosystems grow and what young people need in order to thrive. I spent nearly a decade leading a tech company and worked in roles that connected me closely with universities, industry, and community initiatives.

I later served as Deputy Mayor of Prishtina (the capital of Kosovo) for two years, during which I first came in contact with 42. That experience showed me just how powerful this educational model could be for the region. Later, life brought me to Tirana just as 42 had been signed off to begin, it felt like a natural continuation of that journey: the right moment, the right purpose, and a city ready to embrace something new.

What do you enjoy most about your role at the campus?

What I value most is the people. There is nothing more motivating than watching someone arrive out of curiosity and gradually grow into a version of themselves they didn’t know they could reach. You see students take on challenges, support one another, and build a confidence that feels very real and very human.

I also felt welcomed from the very beginning, both by the students and by the wider community in the Pyramid. There is a generosity of spirit here that makes you feel part of something larger very quickly.

On a personal level, I appreciate that this role carries a mission. I’ve been fortunate to work in positions that never felt like “just a job,” and 42 is no exception. There is purpose in what we are building, and knowing that each day contributes to a space where people can grow by being themselves is deeply inspiring.

What is your vision for the future of education?

I believe the future belongs to learning environments that give people ownership over their growth. Education should develop independent thinkers — people who can teach themselves, adapt quickly, and create solutions that matter.

It also needs to be accessible. Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. Models like 42 remove unnecessary barriers and focus on motivation, resilience, and curiosity. That’s the direction I hope education will continue to move toward.

How would you describe your management style?

I try to lead with clarity, trust, and presence. I believe in setting the tone through example rather than instruction. When people understand the purpose behind the work and feel trusted to take initiative, they naturally step into their strengths.

We work collaboratively, with open communication and shared responsibility. My focus is on creating an environment where people feel supported, are able to grow, and guided by the mission more than by any single individual.

42 is built on four pillar values: openness, excellence, tech, and ethics. Which one matters most to you?

Openness. It creates everything else. Openness to people, backgrounds, ideas, mistakes, and change. It allows students to show who they are and who they can become. It’s the value that sets the tone for the entire campus.

Last question, and a fun one: why is your campus one of the best in the network?

Because our students make it so. They bring passion, humor, and a strong sense of community, a mix of Albanian warmth and Balkan grit that you feel immediately.

And honestly, coding inside a Pyramid doesn’t hurt. Not everyone gets to say they learned pointers in a building shaped like a triangle of destiny. That definitely adds bonus powers.

Bonus question: is there a topic you’d like to highlight that we haven’t covered?

How we continue opening the door wider. We talk a lot about tech and talent, but I always come back to the question of who gets the chance to join. That’s not only a conversation for Tirana, it’s one for the entire 42 network. If we’re shaping the future together, it should include as many voices and backgrounds as possible. That’s a discussion worth expanding.