Welcome back, Blerim Emruli—Qlik Educator Ambassador for 2025!

[ElizCayirli]

This week, we are thrilled to recognize Blerim Emruli, who marks his fifth consecutive year as a Qlik Academic Program Educator Ambassador! His dedication to advancing data literacy, integrating Qlik into academic programs, and bridging the gap between education and industry continues to make a significant impact at Lund University and beyond.

[ElizCayirli]

Blerim is an Assistant Professor at Lund University in Sweden, where he teaches Decision Support Systems, Business Intelligence, and Business and Artificial Intelligence courses. Over the years, he has actively promoted the Qlik Academic Program within his university, introducing numerous faculty members to Qlik and leading to its integration into two highly popular master’s programs at Lund University School of Economics and Management (LUSEM):

• Information Systems 
• Data Analytics and Business Economics

A Decade of Collaboration with Qlik

Blerim has played a key role in highlighting the 10-year partnership between Qlik and Lund University. This collaboration has been instrumental in advancing data literacy and analytics education, which was recently celebrated in a dedicated news piece:

Qlik Academic Program Celebrates 10 Years of Collaboration with Lund University 

Bridging Theory and Practice in Education

When discussing his courses, Blerim emphasizes their distinctive approach:

“A key feature of these courses is their role in fostering a data- and AI-literate generation, essential for both the business and public sectors. They are built on strong theoretical foundations, engage with real-world data-based projects, and incorporate practitioner-oriented tools.”

This commitment to bridging theory and practice is why Blerim collaborates closely with the industry. His students gain both theoretical insights and hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Qlik Sense Business.

The Power of Blended Learning and Industry Collaboration

Blerim has found Qlik Academic Program resources particularly valuable in transitioning to a more modern teaching approach, especially when teaching a mix of online and in-person classes. He emphasizes the importance of blended learning and flipped classroom methods:

“Blended teaching and learning should be here to stay. Students don’t just learn in a classroom. Qlik offers educators and students free resources, including short, module-based courses, which have been instrumental in student learning. I couldn’t have achieved the same results alone or even with a colleague’s help. By embracing these new initiatives and integrating elements like guest lectures and industry-led ‘learnathons,’ we can truly stay at the cutting edge—rather than relying on textbooks from 20 years ago.”

Helping Students Stand Out with Qlik Certifications

Through the Qlik Academic Program, students can earn free qualifications and certifications such as the Business Analyst Qualification:

Qlik Sense Qualification Exams 

Although these certifications are optional in Blerim’s course, many students choose to complete them. Those who finish labs and group projects often pursue and successfully earn Qlik qualifications. These credentials, issued via Credly, can be added as badges on LinkedIn and CVs, enhancing students' professional profiles and employability.

Connecting Education with Industry Needs

A key driver of Blerim’s approach is his belief that jobs and education go hand in hand:

“Many of my students immediately—or even before graduating—take on roles in industry as BI analysts, developers, etc. In particular, I’m very proud that many of the expat female course participants quickly get employed.”

The Future of Analytics and Education

When discussing the future of analytics and education, Blerim envisions a shift toward cloud-based and self-service platforms like Qlik Sense Business and Qlik Learning. He highlights how these technologies democratize access to advanced analytics and improve learning experiences by promoting lifelong learning, fostering continuous skill improvement, and bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Exclusive Learning and Networking Opportunities

Blerim also recognizes the professional benefits of being a Qlik Educator Ambassador:

“One of the key advantages has been participating in exclusive webinars featuring other Qlik Educator Ambassadors, industry experts, and Qlik executives. These sessions have provided invaluable insights into best practices for integrating Qlik into academic courses, the latest developments in business analytics and artificial intelligence, and industry trends. Learning directly from practitioners and engaging with a global network of educators has enriched my teaching and enhanced collaboration opportunities within my university.”

Qlik Luminaries & Partner Ambassadors Meetup in Lund

In October 2024, Blerim attended the Qlik Luminaries and Qlik Partner Ambassadors Meetup in Lund for the first time. This exclusive event also gained attention on social media:

🔗 LinkedIn Post on Qlik Luminaries Meetup 

Blerim`s commitment to advancing data literacy, integrating industry tools, and fostering career-ready students continues to make a significant impact at Lund University and beyond!

📢 Educators and students can get access to free Qlik software and training resources, qualifications, and certifications by applying to the Academic Program today:
👉 qlik.com/academicprogram