On 30 October 2023, the project team met with the newly appointed Rector of University ‘Isa Boletini’ in Mitrovica (UIBM), Ms. Merita Shala and congratulated her on the new role. HERAS Plus expressed readiness for supporting UIBM in further building the strategic and institutional capacities and ensure the continuity of the cooperation.

The project also participated in the formal ceremony of handing over the new equipment funded by the HERAS Plus. On this occasion, three lots of equipment were supported: The first lot is a seismograph equipment which will be used in the Faculty of Geosciences courses and will help students understand the refraction of seismic waves on different geological layers, rocks and soil units to characterize the subsurface geological conditions and geological structure for studying purposes. The second lot is a convection equipment, for which the students helps them understand the topic of free and forced convection on various heating elements in which material-bound heat transport takes place as the fluid in motion. The third lot are the toolkits to asses psychological and academic development, which will help researchers to understand cause and effect, and will help them to identify the need to intervene to improve properly, will be used by Faculty of Education.

The Rector of the UIBM Ms. Shala thanked HERAS Plus, the implementing consortium (WUS Austria, ZSI and OeAD) as well as Austrian Development Agency for this great support and stated that this intervention supports the implementation of their strategy terms of promoting research inputs/outputs.

HERAS Plus conducted two dynamic two-day training sessions focusing on “Scientific Journals and Modern Research Methods” for the academic staff of the University “Isa Boletini” in Mitrovica (on 22-23 September 2023) and University “Ukshin Hoti” in Prizren (on 28-29 September 2023).

Tailored to meet the specific needs of the respective academic staff, these sessions were carefully designed to equip them with the latest insights into conducting cutting-edge research and navigating the intricate world of scientific journals. Participants delved into in-depth sessions on modern research methodologies, received step-by-step guidance on publishing in reputable scientific journals, and engaged in interactive mentoring sessions working on concrete examples.

The trainings represent a vital component of Project’s broader support for public universities in Kosovo, made possible through the competitive fund for the strategic development of public universities. By empowering academic community with these invaluable skills and knowledge, the Project is contributing to paving the way for even greater contributions to the field of research and academia.

On 27 September 2023, HERAS Plus organized the workshop on fostering innovation culture in Kosova through co-funded instruments. The workshop provided a comprehensive exploration of key themes, including the cultivation of an innovation culture in Kosovo through public-private research and innovation engagement. It also focused on the promotion of best practices in research and innovation, offering updates on the latest developments in public-private co-funding tools. Furthermore, the event delved into the adaptation pathways designed for public universities receiving co-funding instruments and explored development pathways for private sector engagement.

Additionally, participants had the invaluable opportunity to engage in discussions and exchange insights with leading beneficiaries of European Research and Innovation (R&I) funding, further enriching the depth and breadth of knowledge-sharing at the workshop.

The workshop provided a dynamic platform for collaborative discussions and knowledge sharing, bringing together a diverse array of participants. MESTI representative presented on the grants and activities dedicated to researchers. Among the attendees were representatives from various key organizations, including ITP Prizren, whose expertise in technology and innovation added significant value to the event. Additionally, the UP Office of Research and Sponsored Programs brought a wealth of knowledge in research and funding strategies to the table. The presence of the Kosova Chamber of Commerce, a vital player in Kosova’s business ecosystem, further underscored the workshop’s importance in fostering public-private partnerships. Venture UP, a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation, contributed valuable insights. The UP Faculty of Civil Engineering, as an academic institution, provided a critical perspective on research and education. The Kosovar-German Business Association, known for its dedication to fostering economic ties, offered a perspective on innovation and collaboration. Together, these participants enriched the collaborative environment, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the exchange of ideas and experiences, and ultimately contributing to the workshop’s success.

The workshop will produce a tool kit from the inputs gathered during the discussions, will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders alike. It encapsulates the innovative ideas, best practices, and strategic recommendations generated during the workshop, providing a roadmap for advancing research and innovation engagement in Kosovo. The collaborative effort put into creating this document exemplifies the workshop’s commitment to translating ideas into actionable initiatives that will have a lasting impact on Kosovo’s innovation landscape.

On 26 September 2023, HERAS Plus has supported the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) to organize the first conference of its kind, related to the ‘Higher Education The impact of QA Mechanisms on establishing a quality culture’.

The conference was officially addressed by the President of the Board of KAA, Prime-minister of Republic of Kosova, Minister of Education Science Technology and Innovation, Austrian Ambassador to Kosovo and the General Director of KAA. They all contributed with important statements for the success of the conference (and beyond) such as: Increasing the quality of education at all levels; the government focus is to ensure the independence of the Accreditation Agency and higher education institutions; the internationalization of higher education – through joint study programs, increased participation in international academic and scientific cooperation programs, and integration into the European Higher Education Area; this conference will contribute towards improvement of the quality in Higher Education and support the KAA to gain full membership to the EQAR and ENQA.

The conference also proceeded with different session and panelists and addressed the i) The relevance of international QA structures and initiatives for quality of higher education; ii) QA systems in Western Balkans and the European Higher Education Area and last but not the least iii) The contribution, role and involvement of stakeholders in quality assurance of higher education.

Noteworthy, in addition to the conference, the HERAS Plus and its implementing consortium WUS Austria, have provided systematic support for the KAA in addressing the recommendations of the EQAR/ENQA and specifically has supported the revision of the accreditation standards, the development of the law on KAA, study visit to Brussels, twinning cooperation between the KAA and the AQ Austria and many similar interventions.

On 14-15 September 2023, HERAS Plus supported the University of ‘Haxhi Zeka’ (UHZ) to organize the first conference of the Regional Economic Forum Dukagjini (FERD) which aims at connecting the higher education system with the labor market needs and the private sector of the Dukagjini region.

The event was officially opened and addressed by Rector of UHZ, HERAS Plus Team Leader, Minister of Regional Development, Deputy Ministers and 7 Mayors of Municipalities of Dukagjini region. They all concurred that the knowledge and concepts shared at the event will advance the cooperation between the university, industry and the central and local government institutions in identifying, developing and implementing activities that will fulfil the needs for local economic development in the country.

Overall, this conference aims at contributing to a more competitive higher education sector as well as to economic, social and cultural development of the region of Dukagjin and its surroundings. The first day of the conference was organized in three sessions, which drew panelists and speakers such as Deputy Ministers, experts and professors from regional HEIs, representatives from the industry. The first and second sessions undertook a distinct national perspective, discussing the strategic framework for economic development in Kosova and the role of HEIs. Whereas the third session discussed the cooperation of the university with local government and industry, including experience from regional countries.

On the second day, the conference is taking place in municipalities of Decan and Junik, and presentations and panel discussions will be centered on how HEIs are incorporated into local planning, the designing of policies and programmes for local governments, and how much HEIs are utilized in the municipality in terms of their potential for expertise in planning as well as for the implementation of overall policies.

Following the insightful discussions between speakers, panelists, and participants, the following recommendations and suggestions were made: to increase attention in the developing of curricula taking into account international trends; addressing SDGs, national and local priorities; development of appropriate models of cooperation with institutions and businesses/industry; participation of Universities in the design of strategies at the national and local level as well as in joint development projects; addressing intellectual property issue;  direct interaction with businesses to determine the need for training, specialization, etc., and to address the gap between the available supply and the demand of the labor market; increased commitment to cooperation networking and absorption of funds with a focus on those of the EU and similar.

On 05 September 2023, the project team visited the UUHP and attended the official ceremony of handing over the new equipment funded by the HERAS Plus. The equipment will enhance the ‘research activities in the relevant fields within the Faculty of Environmental Sciences: Quantitative & qualitative gene expression analysis; miRNA analysis; Genetic mapping; Genetic fingerprinting; NGS library quantification; Pathogen quantification’.

The Rector of the UUHP Mr. Mentor Alishani thanked HERAS Plus, the implementing consortium (WUS Austria, ZSI and OeAD) as well as Austrian Development Agency for this great support and stated that this intervention supports the implementation of their strategy terms of promoting research inputs/outputs.

During the visit, the Rector of the UHHP Mr. Mentor Alishani and the Team Leader Mr. Aqim Emurli also discussed about the ongoing and upcoming cooperation between UUHP and HERAS Plus. To this end, they both agreed to continue the cooperation towards the revision of the UUHP statute, training of the academic staff on improving the teaching research capacities as well as study programme development.

A three-day workshop (10-12 July 2023) supported by our project took place. The aim of the event was to support the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) in finalizing the revision of the accreditation standards, a process that has started time-ago. The event was chaired by the KAA Board president Ms. Hasnije Ilazi, whereas the HERAS Plus has engaged international and local expertise to provide contextual inputs during the entire process of the finalization.

It is important to mention that the process of revising accreditation standards is based on the relevant feedback received from accreditation cycles. As such, it aims to shape a more transparent and user-friendly accreditation standards both for institutional and programme accreditation and based on the lesson learnt from the implementation of the current standards.

During the event, our team leader Mr. Aqim Emurli stated that HERAS Plus will remain committed until the standards are fully finalized and adopted by the KAA and emphasized that the new standards will have positive impact on KAAs future membership in ENQA and EQAR.

From 19 to 22 June, HERAS Plus facilitated a high-level visit of the Kosova delegation to EQAR, ENQA and other relevant Brussels institution.

The aim of the study visit was to expand the knowledge on different higher education systems and agencies, increase visibility in lobbying process for ENQA and EQAR membership, and learn from experiences with regards to the implementation of the ESG‘s. The Brussels visit also included meetings to AEQES, VLUHR, NVAO, European University Associations and Ghent University in order to enhance the share of the recent progress of the KAA as well as to discuss ESG standards implementation.

From 19 to 21 June 2023, a study visit to Austria for the grantees of our Applied Science Small Grants Scheme, was organized by HERAS Plus Project. It aimed to enlighten and inspire the grantees, who, with their small projects, have made unique contributions to advancing applied science approaches to Higher Education (HE) in Kosovo. The scheme was open to students, civil society organizations (CSOs), and academic staff from all public universities in Kosovo. The visit offers a unique opportunity for them to immerse in the renowned Austrian higher education landscape.

The visit commenced with a one-day stay at the prestigious WU University of Economics and Business in Vienna. Our participants had the privilege of visiting the innovative campus of WU and engaging with the university representatives who shared their expertise and experiences in applied science approaches to HE. The visit to WU University provided valuable insights into cutting-edge research, industry collaborations, and student-centered learning methods, inspiring our grantees with best practices that can be adapted and implemented in Kosovo.

Continuing our exploration of Austrian higher education excellence, we spent another day in Graz, visiting the renowned University of Applied Sciences FH Joanneum Graz (FHJ) and Karl Franzens Universität. At FHJ, our participants witnessed firsthand how applied research and innovative teaching methods are seamlessly integrated into various disciplines. This visit stimulated thought-provoking discussions and fostered meaningful exchanges between the Kosovo grantees and their Austrian counterparts.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and developments within the HE sector in Kosovo, our Study Visit also included visits to two prominent Austrian organizations: WUS Austria in Graz and the Center for Social Innovation in Vienna. As implementing partners of the HERAS Plus Project in Kosovo, these organizations possess deep insights into the Kosovo HE landscape. Engaging with them provided an opportunity for the grantees to gain valuable knowledge, explore potential partnerships, and exchange ideas on fostering sustainable growth in the applied science domain.

We expect that this study visit will serve as a catalyst for further advancements in applied science approaches to HE in Kosovo in longer term. The firsthand exposure to Austrian best practices, combined with insightful discussions and networking opportunities, has equipped our grantees with fresh perspectives, innovative methodologies, and the motivation to spearhead positive change in their respective fields.

Stay tuned for more updates on the impactful activities, projects and initiatives emerging from HERAS Plus as we continue to drive positive change in Kosovo’s higher education landscape.

The launch of the Kosovo Research Information System (KRIS) on April 27th 2023 stands as a remarkable achievement that has united stakeholders from diverse institutions and relevant organizations. This momentous event not only celebrated the successful completion of KRIS , a process that started in November 2020,  but also served as a platform to showcase its remarkable capabilities. Attendees were treated to insightful presentations highlighting the system’s development, captivating real-time demonstrations, and an inspiring user showcase by the esteemed University of Prishtina. KRIS emerges as a pioneering contribution, revolutionizing Kosovo’s higher education system by establishing a centralized platform for seamless research data collection and empowering stakeholders such as MESTI, researchers, students, and vital statistical and accreditation agencies with valuable data outputs.

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Launch