Thank you, Minister Hekuran,
Dear students,
It is a pleasure to be here with you today and to share this important moment in your academic and professional journey. We are not speaking merely about a financial support scheme, but about a broader vision—one of a Republic where education is accessible, fair, and equal for all.
With the Student Mobility Scholarship, our Government is addressing a real challenge that many students have faced for years, namely the cost of travelling to university. This scheme is needs-based and designed according to the principle of social justice, because we believe that geographic distance and economic circumstances should not hinder access to quality education.
We know that for many families, daily transportation costs are a heavy burden. Therefore, this scholarship is not only financial support; it is a clear message that the state stands by your side and that investing in education is investing in the future of Kosovo.
However, this is not the only measure, as I believe you all know. This year alone, the Government has supported students with a one-off payment of 100 euros at the start of the academic year, in the autumn of this year, to help cover financial expenses. We have also strengthened the STEM scholarship scheme—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—because Kosovo needs more engineers, innovators, and programmers who will drive the country forward.
Another important step we have taken since the beginning of our governance is tuition-free public university education. We believe that higher education is not a privilege but a right, and nearly 200,000 students have already benefited from this policy, under which studies at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels are free of charge. There is a fee only for doctoral studies.
Dear students,
You are the greatest asset of this year and of this country. Investing in you is investing in economic development, social justice, and a more equal society. Your situation reflects what the future of our country will be like. From our side, our commitment remains clear: to build policies that support you, empower you, and provide you with real opportunities for success.
Both Minister Hekuran and I were once students. This does not mean that we are nostalgic, but it also does not mean that we are not. In other words, it is important to study throughout life, but the decisive years are precisely those of student life. We wish, with everything we know and can do, to help and support you so that when you receive your university diploma, you are as prepared as possible—not only for our country, but also for competition with other countries and global corporations in an increasingly integrated market of knowledge, experience, ideas, goods, and services.
We expect dedication, hard work, and confidence in yourselves. Kosovo needs your knowledge, energy, and vision.
During this governing mandate, we have awarded approximately 18,000 scholarships with a total budget of around 20 million euros, and we will double the scholarship budget in the future.
There is no social category that can better indicate the direction of a country’s socio-economic and cultural development than university students.
Therefore, I wish you success in your studies and a fruitful academic journey. The Government will continue to stand by you always and at all times.
Thank you.
