The foundation of the CoVE STEM Europe Regional Center in Gjilan

A significant milestone for vocational excellence and regional development was achieved on October 23, 2025, as the foundation of the Regional Center of Vocational Excellence – CoVE STEM Europe,  was officially marked at the Public University “Kadri Zeka” (UKZ) in Gjilan.

The CoVE STEM Europe in UKZ – Gjilan, Kosovo

The establishment of this center, organized by Prof. Dr. Xhevdet Thaqi and his team (the Project Leader), took place at the premises of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

The event brought together numerous key stakeholders, including the management of UKZ, representatives from the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS) and the Faculty of Computer Sciences (FCS), and attendees from more than 15 industrial enterprises from the region, alongside partners from the region.

The CoVE STEM Europe Center at UKZ aims to implement the objectives of the STEM Europe project by strengthening cooperation between higher education, industry, and innovation in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). One of its core missions is to prepare qualified professionals for the contemporary labor market.

On behalf of the Rector of UKZ, the attendees were greeted by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Naim Mustafa and Vice-Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shpresë Qamili.

Vice-Rector Mustafa emphasized the profound significance of the establishment of this center at UKZ, noting that it represents a cornerstone for the university and the regional innovation ecosystem, successfully connecting higher education, vocational education, scientific research, and industry.

Vice-Rector Qamili underlined that the main focus of the center will be on capacity building in the STEM fields through updated curricula, practical laboratories, and a robust network of partners. This network will be vital in enabling professional internships and joint projects with industry.

Presentation of CoVE STEM EUROPE center in Gjilan by Vice-rectors of UKZ

Subsequently, the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Coordinator of the CoVE STEM Europe Project, Prof. Dr. Xhevdet Thaqi, presented the mission and vision of the new Regional Center. He stressed its crucial role in developing the technical and technological capacities of industrial enterprises and highlighted the necessity of close collaboration with regional businesses to ensure sustainable economic and social development.

Prof. Thaqi articulated that CoVE STEM Europe is committed to creating a collaborative environment where vocational excellence and industry grow hand in hand, aligning directly with the real needs of the labor market. He further stated, “We believe that only through the modernization of teaching infrastructure and the preparation of qualified professionals can sustainable progress be achieved in our countries”.

Presentation of CoVE STEM EUROPE center in Gjilan by Xhevdet Thaqi

The opening of this Regional Center of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) STEM Europe at UKZ is considered an important achievement, effectively positioning Kosovo and Gjilan on the map of European cooperation in vocational education, technology, and innovation.

The Gjilan Regional Center is not isolated; it is integrated into an international network of sister centers spanning five European countries: Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Turkey. This international collaboration will allow the Gjilan center to closely support the Kosovar and regional industry in addressing challenges posed by rapid technological development.

The Center is expected to significantly contribute to the development of human capacities, the improvement of education quality, and the creation of new opportunities for both international cooperation and industrial advancement.

To showcase the high quality of education and innovation already present at UKZ, the event included an exhibition of student projects from the Faculty of Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Computer Sciences. These projects featured practical and innovative solutions in the fields of engineering, technology, automation, and applied mathematics, demonstrating the talent, creativity, and dedication of the students in applying their knowledge to real technological solutions.

The event garnered attention, being covered by various media outlets including uni-gjilan.net, tvgjilani.com, 2lonline.com, and dita24h.com.