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LuxDev, Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency

• 2023
• • 19 March
  • By Behlul SHALJANI
  • 
  • Kosovo Office KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  KOSOVO - Luxembourg University delegation visits KosovoUni.Lu delegation explores scientific cooperation with universities in Kosovo

  On March 6 - 7 2023, a delegation from the University of Luxembourg, SnT – Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust, visited Kosovo to hold open discussions with Kosovar universities, professors and students. The goal was to identify opportunities for scientific cooperation between SnT and universities in Kosovo.

  

  Prof. Dr. Marcus Völp lecturing to the students of Computer Science and Engineering in University of Pristina

  During their visit, the delegation consisting of the Head of Technology Transfer Office, Dr. Carlo Duprel, and Head of Critical and Extreme Security and Dependability Research Group, Prof. Dr. Marcus Völp, met with various institutions, including Mr. Eric Dietz, the Chargé d'Affaires of Luxembourg in Kosovo, Lulëzon Jagxhiu, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Information Technology, Qamile Sinanaj, Head of International Cooperation Division in Higher Education and Science at the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Shpend Lutfiu, KOS-CERT, the National Unit for Cyber Security. They also met with the heads of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pristina, University AAB and University UBT.​​​​​​​

  

  Students of AAB University in the lecture by Prof. Dr. Marcus Völp

  The results of these discussions are still pending, but it is hoped that both countries can contribute to scientific progress and technological innovation through these collaborations. This visit was part of development cooperation between Luxembourg and Kosovo.

  The KSV/020 - Support to Vocational Education and Training Reform in Kosovo project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

   

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• 2022
• • 24 November
  • By Behlul SHALJANI
  • 
  • Kosovo Office KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  KOSOVO - Workshop with the Department of Vocational Education and Training (VET) of the Ministry regarding an operational manual

  Focusing on the improvement of the legal and regulatory environment and provision of capacity development at the national level, the project KSV/020 - Support to Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform in Kosovo has delegated the implementation of specific activities according to the operational partnership agreement to a local partner, EdGuard Institute, which is a reputable NGO operating in the education sector.

  Hence, the EdGuard Institute organised a two-day workshop to develop an operational manual for the VET Department of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI). The CTA of the project KSV/020, Daniele Passalacqua, and the national expert, Hajdin Berisha, have also been invited to provide valuable contributions to the development of the deliverables.

  

  The Minister of the MESTI, Mrs Arbërie Nagavci, together with participants from the VET Department of the MESTI, from the project KSV/020 and the EdGuard Institute.

  The main objective of this workshop was to progress with the development of the operational manual according to the new organogram of the MESTI. This activity aimed to develop sustainable operational policies that will increase the efficiency of VET Department's work. The MESTI is indeed in the process of restructuring itself and developing the new organogram. Each department is therefore required to develop its own operational manual. The VET Department is among the first departments to develop such a manual. It is foreseen to provide guidance to the VET Department staff in order for them to efficiently carry out their tasks according to the new roles and responsibilities from the updated MESTI organogram.

  

  The Minister of the MESTI, Mrs Arbërie Nagavci addressing the participants on the importance of the new organogram of the MESTI and the manual for the VET Department 

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.  

   

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• • 10 November
  • By Renea BULA
  • 
  • Kosovo Office KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  KOSOVO - First steps towards the implementation of a dual VET system

  Creating relationships between schools and the various actors of the communities in which they operate in is essential in enhancing student learning. These partnerships provide varied benefits which increase school capacities and make the overall educational experiences more interactive for students. In June 2021, the project KSV/020 formalised five Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) between the Meister Training Centrer and five vocational education and training (VET) institutions from the municipalities of Prizren, Vushtrri, Ferizaj, Suhareka and Gjilan - an initiative that will lead to the transformation of the VET system to a dual one, one of the firsts in Kosovo.

  

  The goal of these partnerships is to establish cooperation between companies and the VET institutions to advance the practical learning skills of students by offering them professional practice within a company. The partnership will facilitate the proper implementation of the qualification set for the profile of “electronic technician” developed in cooperation with European partners from the private sector. The parties involved will have different responsibilities which include the transfer of skills between the teachers and school staff towards professional development activities, co-organisation of symposiums, conferences and short courses, proposals on adjusting the occupational standard, curricula and teaching and learning materials to match the latest industry trends and practices.

  

  In general, the public VET schools in Kosovo face obstacles in the implementation of the theoretical, and especially the practical part of the profile. In schools, this challenge arises from lack of equipment and lack of expertise in using and maintaining the needed equipment. Therefore, an important component of this partnership is that students will have access to the equipment located within the company’s premises, which will facilitate students’ professional practice. Ultimately, this will allow students to conduct their practice in the presence of industry professionals and acquire the necessary skills in the workplace. As a result of such an initiative, more schools and companies will follow the same path towards the dual VET system in Kosovo. 

  Following the arrival of the equipment for the “electronic technician” profile at the premises of the company, the professional practice of students was conducted during April and May 2022. Herein, the project representatives visited the company on the day that the students of “Pjetër Bogdani” technical school in Ferizaj were doing their practice. The teachers and students expressed their gratitude and excitement about this partnership as they will have the chance to practice their skills with real equipment in a real working environment.

  

  

  Fundamentally, public-private partnerships are of immense importance as they optimise the vocational education and training offer while incorporating the world of work into education. As a result, they lead to work experience opportunities that improve the prospects of young students when seeking employment.

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.  

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• • 9 August
  • By Renea BULA
  • 
  • Kosovo Office KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  KOSOVO - Project KSV/020 supported technical school “Skender Luarasi” wins the first place of the creative challenge

  “The environment, nature and everything living around us is the greatest wealth we have inherited… unfortunately we are abusing and destroying it, in turn disrupting the biological balances thus jeopardising our future on this planet.”

  This is a statement from the students of the “Skender Luarasi” technical school who were awarded with the first place of the creative challenge 2021 from the BONEVET institution. The creative challenge was launched in 2019 and is a competition designed for 10^th and 11^th grade high schools with the main goal of using technological devices. Students design and prototype solutions to everyday problems by combining various innovative and technological means. Teams go through three rounds and are evaluated at each round before arriving to the final product.

  “Skender Luarasi” managed to win the first place of the challenge among 36 national schools competing. The institution is one of the main VET schools supported by project KSV/020. The project provided support to the school through capacity development activities, purchasing of equipment to accommodate the new IT profiles developed by the project. The school also implemented the technical profiles updated by the project and will be receiving equipment to facilitate the practical learning part for these profiles.

  This year’s challenge was entitled “Frymo” meaning “Breath” and aimed the construction of stations measuring air quality through the use technological equipment such as the Arduino Kit and the Sensor Kit which explore the vast space of electronics and programming. The competition was organised in three rounds giving students the opportunity to learn how projects are done as well as the importance of teamwork as the students were evaluated as a group. As simple as it seems, this indeed was a challenge in itself as the students had to step into the role of engineers to find solutions whilst simultaneously managing the overall flow of work.

  Fundamentally, the challenge stimulated creative thinking as the students were designing a whole new product which at the end had to be functional as well. Throughout the rounds creative thinking was practiced, solutions to electronic and technical problems were found and the students learned to use the latest programmes in designing three-dimensional objects.

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.  

  
  

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• 2021
• • 22 December
  • By Renea Bula
  • 
  • Kosovo Office KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  KOSOVO - The project, Support to vocational education and training reform in Kosovo, KSV/020 at the KosICT tech festival

  This October, the KosICT tech festival held its 10th edition to bridge the gap between the local and international markets for Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The festival brings together local, regional and international experts to share their experiences and knowledge with the audience comprised of software developers, ICT enthusiasts and experts, C-level executives, academia representatives and students. Certainly, the ICT sector in Kosovo is in rapid development, and the festival aims to respond to this development by bringing together all the stakeholders in the industry and foster a unified collaboration between them.

  With the presence of project KSV/020 in the ICT sector, its participation was deemed essential for demonstrating the commitment of vocational education and training to adapting to the changing labor market, especially regarding information technology. The Project supported the organisation of the Job Fair whereby six of the supported schools participated and presented their value proposition along with the ICT profiles that they are offering. The management of the school, teachers and students had the chance to attend the event and interact with company representatives for future collaboration opportunities.

  A number of the project KSV/020’s interventions were presented to the public during the event, starting with the development of five qualification sets in the ICT sector and their implementation in six vocational schools.

  This project showcased the business model concept as one of the main tools for fostering collaboration between vocational education and training schools and the private sector. Career guidance information system – Busulla.com boasts over 300,000 users and is the leading online platform for the provision of career guidance. Certainly, the achievements and interventions in the ICT sector will continue through Project KSV/801 with the development of cloud based testing system, as well as a tracer study information system, all whilst partnering with local, regional and international experts.  

  These achievements did not go unnoticed, as the Project KSV/020 was honored during the event. This award pays tribute to the Luxembourg Cooperation projects whose long-term efforts, dedication and sustained commitment have supported the vocational education and training sector. The project was awarded for the commendable achievements and significant contributions in the national reform of the national technical and vocational education and training system and in the development of the ICT and digital sector in Kosovo.

  At the event, it was stated that:

  “This award represents the successful work done by all LuxDev Projects in the technical and vocational education and training  sector and serves as a catalyst for foster further reforms and changes in the sector with a focus on ICT. It also reflects the synergy between the LuxDev team, the relevant institutions, and the private sector, which has contributed to enhancing the teaching and learning experience in the vocational education and training sector in Kosovo for more than ten years.”

  With the award, other stakeholders in the sector to use similar innovative approaches to working in partnership with businesses and public sector organisations to enhance student employability and increase workforce skills.

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.  

  

   

   

   

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• • 30 September
  • By Daniele Passalacqua and Renea Bula
  • 
  • Kosovo Office KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  KOSOVO - Enhancing the cooperation between vocational education and training institutions and the private sector

  Creating relationships between schools and the various actors of the communities in which they operate in is essential in enhancing student learning. These partnerships provide varied benefits which increase school capacities and make the overall educational experiences more interactive for students. In June 2021, the Support to vocational education and training reform in Kosovo project, KSV/020, formalised five memoranda of understandings between Meister training tenter and five vocational education and training institutions from the municipalities of Prizren, Vushtrri, Ferizaj, Suahreka and Gjilan - an initiative that will lead to the transformation of the vocational education and training system to a dual one, one of the firsts in Kosovo.

  The goal of these partnerships is to establish cooperation between the company and the vocational education and training institutions to advance the practical learning skills of students by offering them professional practice within the company. The partnership will facilitate the proper implementation of the qualification set for the profile of “electronic technician” developed in cooperation with European international partners from the private sector. The parties involved will have different responsibilities which include the transfer of skills between the teachers and school staff towards professional development activities, co-organisation of symposiums, conferences and short courses, proposals on adjusting the occupational standard, curricula and teaching and learning materials to match the latest industry trends and practices.

  

  In general, the public vocational education and training schools in Kosovo face obstacles in the implementation of the theoretical, and especially the practical part of the profile. This challenge arises due the lack of equipment within schools and lack of expertise in using and maintaining the needed machineries.  Therefore, an important component of this partnership is that students will use the equipment located within the company’s premises which will facilitate students’ professional practice. Ultimately, this will allow students to conduct their practice in the presence of industry professionals and acquire the necessary skills in the workplace.

  To commemorate such an important milestone, an event formalising the signing of the memoranda of understandings was organised. Part of this event were representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Agency for vocational education and training and adult education, the Project, Meister training centre as well as representatives from the municipalities and vocational education and training school directors. The attendees praised the initiative and pointed out the relevance of engaging with businesses to enhance and enrich the delivery of education. They firmly believed that more companies and schools will follow through the same path, especially once the benefits of such partnerships start becoming tangible.

  All in all, these public-private partnerships are of immense importance as they optimise the vocational education and training offer whilst building the world of work into education. Furthermore, they lead to work experience opportunities that improve the prospects of young students when seeking employment.

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.  

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• • 30 September
  • By Daniele Passalacqua and Renea Bula
  • 
  • KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  KOSOVO - Development and implementation of qualification sets for technical profiles

  One of the main goals of the Support to vocational education and training reform in Kosovo project, KSV/020, is to improve the vocational education and training quality through the development of qualifications sets corresponding to the latest trends in the labour market. With the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, the project has developed qualifications sets for four technical profiles:

  • the occupational standards, curricula;
  • teaching and learning material; 
  • didactic guidelines, and supporting material for teachers.  

  

  The selection of these profiles was based on labour market analysis and the identification of priority occupations which the project did in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation.

  In the curricula development process, experts from the industry and private sector made sure to create a model of integrated curricula (theoretical and practical).

  Furthermore, the teaching and learning material , the guidelines and the supporting material are the first of their kind to be developed for these profiles.

  The teaching and learning material encompasses extensive information, both descriptive and visual, reforming teaching and learning methods, and ultimately optimising the vocational education and training offer. 

  On August 31, 2021, the chief technical advisor of the KSV/020 project met with the representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation and vocational education and training school directors to officially hand over the qualification sets for four technical profiles.

  All participants praised this initiative. Herein, the vocational education and training school directors expressed their appreciation for the support the KSV/020 project has provided to them in developing new qualification sets based on the contemporary advances to meet new labour market demand.

  The representative of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation  also praised the continuous support that the project has provided to the Ministry during these years, especially in reforming the vocational education and training quality.

  All this work would not have been possible without the contribution of all the relevant stakeholders; therefore, the chief technical advisor of the KSV/020 project expressed his appreciation to the MESTI and the schools for their close cooperation throughout this process. He further stated that:

  “Even though we are submitting qualification sets for four profiles, the support of the project will continue through tailor-made capacity development activities for teachers and training with international and local experts. All of this will be finalized with the provision of laboratory equipment to vocational education and training schools as part of the overall plan to improve the  quality”.

  Finally, as a result of this teamwork, the developed qualification sets for the technical profiles will be available for all vocational education and training schools nationwide starting from the new academic year 2021/2022.

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.  

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• • 5 July
  • By Renea Bula
  • 
  • KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  KOSOVO - Allocation of scholarships to allow access of young women in technical profiles

  As young women continue to get underrepresented in most technical profiles, allocating scholarships to promote enrolment in such profiles is a powerful incentive to encourage female participation in science and technology. In addition to this, there are certain profiles in Vocational Education and Training Institutions (IVET) which have continuously low enrolment by both young women and men, despite their relevance with the demand of the labour market.

  Therefore, the project KSV/020 and MESTI have established a merit-based scholarships programme for students enrolling in VET schools. This initiative came after the Administrative Instruction on the Creation of an Incentive Structure to Support Students’ Education in Deficitary Profiles and for Women in Technical Profiles in IVET was enforced. The purpose of this AI, developed by the MESTI with the support of the Project, is to encourage students to enrol in IVET in deficit directions and young women in technical directions.

  

  Herein, the MESTI will provide scholarships in the agricultural sector, and on the other hand, the Project will award scholarships for technical profiles. Therefore, the project will support the provision of 50 new scholarships of which 30 will be allocated to students in deficitary profiles and 20 to young women in technical profiles.

  KSV/020 strongly believes that these scholarships will incentivise more young women to apply in technical profiles and both men and women to enrol in profiles that are currently facing challenges in enrolling students. Whereas, in the long-term, it is expected that the youth in Kosovo will be aware on the importance of enrolling in such profiles from a professional perspective.

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency

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• • 16 April
  • By Daniele Passalacqua and Renea Bula
  • 
  • KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  A step forward towards inclusiveness: The successful graduation of the third cohort of Assistants to Children/Students with Special Education Needs

  Ensuring equal treatment and offering an inclusive Vocational Education and Training  (VET) offer. In 2017 the predecessor of the project Support to Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform in Kosovo, KSV/020, namely Support to Vocational Education and Training Reform in Kosovo: Establishment of Centres of Competence in Ferizaj and PrizrenProject, KSV/015, supported the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) in the development of Level 5 Qualifications for assistants to children/students with special education needs (SEN). The occupational standards were developed by local experts, while the development of the curriculum, the teaching and learning material, and the training of teachers was conducted by the Project in the framework of a public Private Partnership with an internationally renowned company, Pearson, which implements Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications recognised in more than 70 countries around the world. The implementation of the qualification has been continuously monitored by a group consisting of the representatives of the Project KSV/020, the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), the Center of Competencies in Ferizaj and the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (AVETAE).

  As of February 2021, the third generation of students has graduated this qualification making this initiative a success story that serves as motivation to develop other qualifications that lead to specializations and that are needed in the labour market. The qualification is being offered in four VET providing institutions in Pristina, Peja, Prizren and Ferizaj, and until now a total of 217 students have graduated. The support of the Project along with the will and determination of stakeholders have made this initiative a sustainable one which continues to have a huge impact in strengthening the services for the inclusion of students with special needs in public schools.   

  

  Taking into consideration that Level 5 qualifications represent a novelty for the labour market, the MES organized a ceremony to award diplomas to the third generation of students. During the ceremony, the graduates expressed their joy in completing this qualification and their readiness in going into the labour market. The graduation of the third generation of students is only a mere example of the magic and sustainability of this initiative. The success of this initiative can be seen through employment figures, as until now 85 of the graduates have been hired by public schools through an official decision of the government while 35 have been hired by UNICEF. Furthermore, according to non-official data, some of the graduates are independently employed by families needing assistance in taking care of children with special needs.

  

  The Project is looking forward to welcome more generations in this program who seek to become positive actors in the field of special education. Such an accomplishment encourages stakeholders to continue supporting professional qualifications that improve the quality of life of special needs children/students and that in return contribute to the development of Kosovo’s society.

  
  
  Both KSV/015 and KSV/020 projects are financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Agency for Development Cooperation. 

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• 2020
• • 30 December
  • By Renea Bula
  • 
  • Kosovo Office KSV/020
  • Education, vocationnal training and employment
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  KOSOVO - Provision of 20 computer labs in selected VET schools

  The Support to Vocational Education and Training Reform in Kosovo Project, KSV/020, supported the provision of 20 computer labs in six selected VET schools. Such an initiative corresponds to the already developed curricula and the Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) and will facilitate the smooth implementation of the supported ICT profiles.

  With this regard, an event was organized and held by the technical school “Mehmet Isai” in Gjilan, in promoting the three new ICT workshops. The event was covered by a local news channel whereby the mayor of Gjilan along with representatives from the Municipal Education Directorate were present among the representatives of Project KSV/020. Herewith, the mayor expressed his gratitude to the Project and pointed out that such a contribution will most definitely optimize the VET offer of the school in the next academic years followed by supporting reforms.

  As a next step, the Project will proceed towards the equipment of other workshops in different VET schools. It will try to do so with the cooperation of the private sector through the establishment of the Industrial Bodies and Industrial Advisory Boards as part of the Business Model concept.

  
  

  

  The KSV/020 project is co-funded by the Government of Kosovo and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Kosovo Ministry of Education and Science and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency

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