Professors specializing in competency-based education at the University of Iowa have joined forces with their counterparts from public universities in Kosova to lead workshops aimed at revising curricula in response to insights from the private sector. Commencing this December, the University of Prishtina, University of Peja, and University of Prizren, with the support of the USAID-funded activity Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education have extended invitations to representatives from leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Agriculture companies in Kosovo, fostering collaboration to enhance undergraduate study programs in these sectors.
Professors from the universities in Kosovo leveraged strategies and practices acquired during a preceding workshop facilitated by the activity titled "Training of Trainers" which was designed to equip university academic staff with the skills to lead corporate panels. These corporate panels, overseen by the universities, are events hosted by each faculty regularly. Industry leaders from the relevant sectors are invited to contribute their insights, aiding in the continuous refinement of curricula to align with the latest market needs and trends.
Professors assumed a listening role during these workshops, allowing industry professionals to take the floor. The industry representatives presented their perspectives on the competencies requisite for graduates, offering a firsthand account of the skills demanded by the job market.
The corporate panel workshops held in December 2023 mark the beginning of a series of workshops facilitated by the activity, strategically planned to bolster curriculum revision and development efforts of partner universities. These workshops signify a groundbreaking partnership between universities and businesses, aiming to fortify the bridge between academia and industry demands.
Visar Jasiqi, Head of Product Engineering at Radix, a participating representative from the ICT private sector, emphasized the challenges faced by universities in aligning curricula with the dynamic trends of the ICT industry. “In light of the rapidly evolving technological landscape, I think it's important to cultivate resilient learners and establish a curriculum foundation that emphasizes adaptability, critical thinking, and solution development skills to ensure graduates remain competitive in the ever-changing field of ICT,” he said.
The USAID Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity aims to strengthen partnerships between the private sector and academic institutions in Kosovo. The Activity is guided by the Iowa Consortium, led by the University of Iowa, with collaboration from Iowa State University and the Kosova Education Center.
Learn more about the program