Developing stronger linkages between Kosovo public universities and the private sector is critical to aligning the needs of the market to Kosovo’s young workforce. To accelerate this effort, USAID designed a new activity called Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education. This partnership, led by University of Iowa, will strengthen the relationship between universities in Kosovo and the private sector, specifically businesses in the agricultural sector and the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. The ultimate goal is to foster industry-driven research, increase experiential learning, modernize university curriculum, and produce university graduates who are better prepared to enter the workforce.
On April 24th, the Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education activity was officially launched through a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony. The ceremony included the University of Iowa and three public universities in Kosovo, namely the University of Prishtina - Hasan Prishtina, University of Peja - Haxhi Zeka, and University of Prizren - Ukshin Hoti. Dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo Albin Kurti, the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey M. Hovenier, and USAID MIssion Director Zeinah Salahi.
The selected universities have demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration, with professors and administrative staff eager to embrace changes that will revolutionize their approach to industry engagement and enhance the professional success of their students. Moreover, the initiative has successfully established partnerships with leading businesses operating in the ICT and agriculture sectors within Kosovo. The initial set of private sector partners serves as the foundation for future collaborations, as more companies are expected to participate when they recognize the benefits as universities better prepare students for careers in agriculture and ICT.
University of Iowa, together with Iowa State University and the Kosova Education Center (KEC) has already begun engaging with their private sector partners to assess the current level of collaboration with higher education institutions. They are also identifying challenges faced during these collaborations, and exploring the partners’ visions and commitment to strengthening their relationships with universities in the future.
Faton Hasani, USAIDKosovo