Acting Rector of UPZ, Prof. Asoc. Dr. Ismet Temaj took part at the coordinating meeting with MEST and ERASMUS+ and the Universities

In the framework of the Erasmus + office coordinator in Kosovo, Mrs, Jehona Lushaku, and Mr. Shyqiri Bytyqi, Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, on Friday held a meeting with the rectors of higher education institutions in Kosovo, where was attended by Acting Rector of UPZ, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Ismet Temaj and acting vice rector Prof. dr. Ass. Dr. Shemsi Morina. In this meeting was discussed about access to the Erasmus + program and to coordinate the actions in order to bring as much funding to Kosovo as possible.

Minister Bytyqi on this occasion stressed that the Erasmus + program is very important in the mobility of students, professors and internationalization of higher education. "We need to focus on eliminating any barriers, so our higher education institutions can get the most out of the Erasmus + programs. MEST is ready, in cooperation with the higher education institutions, to develop policies that would directly affect the enhancement of the professional capacities of the academic staff within our institutions, "said Minister Bytyqi.

Meanwhile, u.d. Rector Temaj emphasized that UPZ participated in the Erasmus + program and there were a number of student exchange agreements, academic and administrative staff. But this number was not happy. I consider that this meeting and signing of the statement is very good. We will stick to the commitments given here and we will work closely with the Erasmus + office and all relevant institutions in achieving these goals. International co-operation is a priority of the University of Prizren also foreseen with the overall development strategy. Participation in ERASMUS + projects, cooperation with education institutions in the Higher Education Area in Europe in the first place and cooperation with universities in the country and the region ", emphasizes Rector Temaj.

Erasmus + Office Coordinator in Kosovo, Mrs. Jehona Lushaku stressed that they will be available to universities and all other higher education institutions in achieving these goals.At this meeting, it was agreed to form a working group with the participation of all higher education institutions, which will deal with addressing problems in the implementation of current projects, as well as drafting an action plan, so to get the most out of the Erasmus + funding. Also in these meetings was a joint statement signed by the rectors of universities and other institutions of higher education. Joint Statement With this joint statement, Higher Education Institutions in Kosovo vow to increase participation in the Erasmus + program through: Increasing the number of student exchanges, academic and administrative staff.

Increasing the number of applications for capacity building projects with partners from the European Union and the region. Creating facilities for the implementation of Erasmus + projects through: Adequate legal basis; Transfer of ECTS credits through faculties; Recognizing and highlighting the participation of academic staff in Erasmus + project projects; Capacity Building at Offices for International Cooperation; To provide students and staff with the most comprehensive information on the opportunities offered by Erasmus + projects in which the institution is a partner.

Higher Education Institutions are convinced that the use of the opportunities offered by the Erasmus + Program contributes directly to the enhancement of the quality of Higher Education in Kosovo, internationalization and exchange of academic and social values.