The sixth edition of the Kosovo International Conference on Educational Research (KICER) 2026 opened today at the Faculty of Education of the University of Prishtina and will continue tomorrow.

This year, as in previous years, the conference brings together over 450 participants: researchers, teachers, students, education experts, and institutional representatives. The program features more than 120 scientific presentations, 22 parallel sessions, poster presentations, and keynote lectures by local and international scholars.

This year's conference theme focuses on advancing education and teacher preparation, along with quality, equity, and policy transformation. The Vice Dean for Science and Development at the Faculty of Education, Prof. Blerta Perolli-Shehu, emphasized that the quality of education is the only way to build the country's future.

The Rector of the University of Prishtina, Prof. Arben Hajrullahu, stated that the opportunities for creating a knowledge society are very promising, and if UP succeeds in this, it will establish a solid foundation for retaining people in the country and ensuring sustainable development.

The Acting Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Hajrulla Çeku, expressed his readiness to support UP and the Faculty of Education, adding that he is in the place where changes happenand new teachers are prepared.

The Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Blerim Saqipi, noted that everyone working at this faculty carries a great responsibility, as they prepare teachers who are tasked with educating the new generation to face a world in the era of artificial intelligence, which is evolving very rapidly.

The conference then continued with its first keynote address, where education expert Prof. Dukagjin Pupovci explained why the PISA test is not producing satisfactory results in Kosovo.

The conference will also feature sessions on educational development, curriculum reform, inclusion, early childhood education, technology and artificial intelligence in education, teacher professional development, school leadership, assessment, and pedagogical innovation. The program also includes lectures by Dr. Seamus Delaney from Deakin University in Australia and Prof. Dr. Matthias Ludwig from Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany.

Last year, the conference's central theme was education in the era of globalization and the opportunities for transformative teaching and learning.