Connexion 
KOSOVO - Upgrade of Gjin Gazulli Technical School to a new Centre of Competence (CoC) in ICT in Pristina
On 5 November 2018, Project KSV/020 signed the agreement with the Municipality of Pristina for the upgrade of Gjin Gazulli VET School to a new Centre of Competence (CoC) for Information and Communications Technology (ICT). In line with the Project’s objectives and in consultation with the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MEST), the Project commits to provide full technical and financial support to the new Centre in its two main components during the three-year upgrade process. The first component of support includes the construction and renovation of the current premises of the school to international building standards of a CoC in ICT. Furthermore, under this component, the Project has committed financial resources for the acquisition and installation of furniture and IT equipment.
The second component of support focuses on the development of six (6) IT profiles (Application Developer – Coding, Business Informatics Technician, Systems Technician, Graphic Design Technician, Mediamatician / Interactive Media Design Technician, and Electronic Technician) that represent a priority for the ICT and Electronic sector in Kosovo. Under this commitment, the Project will support MEST in the development of the full range of qualification components for those profiles including the Occupational Standards (OS), Curricula, Teaching and Learning Material (TLM) and the capacity development of the management and teachers of the new CoC. All qualification sets will be designed and developed based on a balance of theory and practice that will reflect the real need of the local and international labour market, facilitating the absorption of the students to be absorbed by the labour market immediately after the graduation. Furthermore, the Project will provide technical assistance to the CoC and the Municipality, to ensure a constant alignment with the reforms and activities promoted at national level such as the implementation of the Business Model Office guidelines, Career Guidance Services, Information Systems and Digital Tools, other cross-cutting activities for the benefit of the socio-economic development.
As stated in the MoU, the main aim of this intervention is to allow the students who will register for the academic year 2020-2021 onwards to engage in the new ICT CoC and benefit from new updated qualifications aligned to European and international education standards. By adopting significant elements of the VET dual system applied in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, and adapting them to the socio-economic reality of Kosovo, the ICT CoC will go well beyond its former role of traditional educational institution that provides formal education. Instead, stakeholders they will offer several income generating services in partnership with private (short courses, adult education, on the job training or employment opportunities for the students or the community, other services oriented to the common social benefit, the development of start-ups etc.), that will improve the financial performance of the VET Schools and promote a sustainable development of the ICT sector in Kosovo.
