Prishtina, 26 December 2024
Together with the Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Arbërie Nagavci, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met with students who are recipients of scholarships funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
During an event organized by MESTI in the 1 Tetori Hall, Prime Minister Kurti addressed the new scholarship recipients, emphasizing the great importance of higher education and highlighting the impact of quality education in achieving the full intellectual potential of individuals. He expressed his satisfaction with the strong will of young students to continue their studies, as well as with their presence at the year-end meeting.
“Upon taking office, our Government has provided unprecedented support to the youth as a whole, and especially to the students. For the first time, we have allocated scholarships for all levels of study both domestically and abroad, for both excellent students (a total of 5455 beneficiaries – some of whom are with us here tonight) as well as for those in need, including students with disabilities and students from marginalized communities (a total of 1882 beneficiaries – some of whom I believe are here tonight)”, said the Prime Minister in his address. He particularly highlighted the Government’s support for girls and women through STEM scholarships – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – encouraging them to pursue fields traditionally dominated by boys. As a result, the number of female students in STEM has systematically increased over the past three academic years, reaching 6605 beneficiaries to date.
This year, for the first time, MESTI also allocated scholarships in the fields of Albanian Language and Albanian Literature at the University of Prishtina. The number of applications for Albanian Language increased from 20 last year to 105 this year, while applications for Albanian Literature grew from 6 last year to 79 this year. Currently, 113 students have benefited from these scholarships. This year, there are also 19 students from Albania studying at the University of Prishtina, thanks to scholarships specifically allocated for them by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation.
The Prime Minister encouraged the students to study and learn as much as possible, as university studies are a very important period in life. It is the time when academic and professional skills are developed, but at the same time, it is also the period when social life flourishes with friendships and fruitful collaborations.
On the other hand, Minister Nagavci emphasized that the youth potential of Kosovo is one of the most distinctive features of the country as a European state and that this potential is continuously supported by the Government in all possible forms.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Dear Mrs. Arbërie Nagavci, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
Dear Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Taulant Kelmendi and Mr. Arsim Ademi,
Honourable Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Education, Professor Ardian Gola,
Honourable Rectors of the Public Universities in our country,
Dear students,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Attending studies at university is a right for everyone, regardless of age, belief, origin or orientation. It is no coincidence that the term ‘university’ comes from the Latin word ‘universitas’, which means ‘unity’. Here, we are talking about the collective unity of knowledge and understanding that sets the foundation of who you become, both personally and professionally.
In 1088, the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, opened its doors, which gave the world-renowned scholars from Nicolaus Copernicus to Umberto Eco, a writer and philosopher. In 1096, the University of Oxford began its journey, and roughly around the same period, the University of Cambridge, the first one recently renowned for the work of the scientist Sir Stephen Hawking, was also established. Cambridge has long been known for its scholars, including Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Thus, we are talking about those who have contributed immensely to humanity, to the world around us, and to how we understand ourselves, each other, social relationships, history and the progress of human society as a whole.
History teaches us the great importance of higher education, making clear the impact of quality education in achieving the full intellectual potential of the human being. Therefore, we are immensely pleased with your will to continue your studies, just as we are pleased with your presence here at this end-of-year meeting. As we see that our work as a Government and as state institutions is yielding results, the hope and belief that Kosovo is in safe hands is strengthened.
Upon taking office, our Government has provided unprecedented support to the youth as a whole, and especially to the students. For the first time, we have allocated scholarships for all levels of study both domestically and abroad, for both excellent students (a total of 5455 beneficiaries – some of whom are with us here tonight) as well as for those in need, including students with disabilities and students from marginalized communities (a total of 1882 beneficiaries – some of whom I believe are here tonight).
Furthermore, within the STEM scholarships – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics- we have, for the first time, encouraged girls to engage in these fields, traditionally dominated by boys. As a result, the number of female students in STEM has systematically increased over the past three academic years, reaching 6605 beneficiaries to date.
This year, for the first time, we allocated scholarships in the fields of Albanian Language and Albanian Literature at the University of Prishtina. The number of applications for Albanian Language increased from 20 last year to 105 this year, while applications for Albanian Literature grew from six last year to 79 this year. Currently, 113 students have benefited from these scholarships. This year, we also have 19 students from Albania studying at the University of Prishtina, thanks to scholarships specifically allocated by our Ministry of Education.
Furthermore, as the Office of the Prime Minister, we are proud that, together with the Ministry of Education, we have established the annual STEM Conference, an excellent platform for our girls and women in STEM, both inside and outside of Kosovo.
We are all aware of the complexity of education in all its phases and aspects, where state institutions are tasked with regulating and facilitating such processes with adequate policies. This is not a one-dimensional or straightforward task – instead, it is work that requires mutual understanding and cooperation from all parties. We can only accomplish this together, as the Government and as students and citizens. So, as the saying goes, help us as much as possible so that we can help you even more.
Dear female and male students,
University studies are a very important period in life. It is the time when academic and professional skills are developed, but at the same time, it is also the period when social life flourishes with friendships and fruitful collaboration. We are creating the conditions for you to make the most of it, so I encourage you to take full advantage of these opportunities, as you have done in the past three years, and to continue doing so in our next term.
I wish you all a successful year and thank you very much for your cooperation and attention!
For more photos from the event: https://we.tl/t-3STwHcGZFX
Last modified: December 30, 2024