On November 5th 2024, STEM for All – STEFORA consortium successfully held STEM Innovation Conference at RIT Kosovo premises and via zoom platform.
This conference gathered high level representatives from Government of Kosovo, EU Office in Kosovo, higher education institutions, scholars, civil society, and private sector to discuss policies and initiatives that should be taken to ensure inclusivity and innovation in STEM Education in Kosovo and Albania.
Special guests included: Minister of Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MEST) in Kosovo, H.E. Arbërie Nagavci, EU Ambassador in Kosovo, H.E. Aivo Orav, and Head of Erasmus+ Office in Kosovo, Mimika Dobroshi. They emphasized the importance of increasing inclusivity in STEM Education Programs for underrepresented groups, such as women and minorities, as one of the key EU priorities and congratulated STEFORA project consortium for successfully completing project milestones and recognized their distinguished commitment to provide solutions for key challenges faced in Kosovo and Albania in STEM Education.
During this conference, Mexhid Ferati, LNU, Roshmita Kanungoe, MU, Flamur Abazaj, IBC-M, Ariola Memia, POLIS University, Ines Troshani, UET, Venera Demukaj, RITK, and Donika Sollova, RITK, gave brief presentations on project outcomes and results, highlighting key project achievements, lessons learnt, and sustainability measures. Key importance was given to newly developed modules, trainings, workshops, and webinars, design of institutional stem strategies, joint publications, dissemination efforts, and creation of STEM Expert Network.
The conference’s panel discussion was focused on the Role of HEIs on Promoting Inclusive STEM Education. Prominent academics and practitioners in gender equality and education: Mihone Kerolli, Rector and STEM Professor at IBC-M in Mitrovica, Orkidea Xhaferaj, Founder of Network of Albanian Women in STEM Digital and Policy Innovation Expert, SCiDEV in Albania, Shqipe N. Vela, Founder of Women in Energy and Mining and Energy Policy Lecturer at RIT Kosovo, and Enisa Serhati, Portfolio Manager at UNDP discussed how higher education institutions can support diversity and inclusivity in STEM education programs. This panel was moderated by Linda Ziberi, Communication Professor at RIT Kosovo.
The conference was finalized by a brief discussion on the future initiatives that must be taken by authorities and HE to strengthen STEM programs in Kosovo and Albania.
