A delegation from the University of Prishtina, led by Vice Rector for Internationalization and Academic Exchanges, Prof. Rozafa Basha, took part in panels at a conference on the diaspora held at the Consulate General of the Republic of Kosovo in Stuttgart. 

At the conference titled “Albanian Diaspora: Identity, Education, and Public Diplomacy,” Vice Rector Rozafa Basha, along with Professors Bajram Berisha, Bardh Rugova, Mentor Hasani, and Assistant Oktaj Hasani from the University of Prishtina, shared their insights through presentations and discussion panels. They talked about the history of Albanian migration, the role of the diaspora in maintaining identity, supporting Kosovo’s statehood, and building the country, as well as sharing success stories of how diaspora academics are transferring knowledge back to Kosovo.

From UP’s perspective, Vice Rector Rozafa Basha highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and emphasized the mechanisms already in place at the university, such as the Regulation on Transfer, the “Brain Gain” Program, and the Special Cases of Academic Staff Recruitment. 

These mechanisms include inviting diaspora academics to work with UP, teaching, mentoring, research cooperation, mobility programs, and joint projects. The goal is to make the diaspora a reliable partner in UP’s academic, scientific, and institutional growth, as well as in the development of Kosovo. 

Eight professionals and professors from the diaspora, working at 400 of the world’s top universities, have already affiliated with UP. They have started giving lectures and working on joint projects with their colleagues at UP. 

During the conference, in a panel with diaspora students, Egzon Peci and Arsim Krasniqi shared their experiences at UP — one as an exchange student for a semester at the Faculty of Architecture, and the other as a long-time participant in the Prishtina International Summer University. 

The conference was organized by the Diaspora Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, GIZ, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Kosovo in Stuttgart.