Yesterday, within the framework of the Prishtina International Summer University (PISU), the first workshop of the 26th edition was held, led by Prof. Antons Patlins, Senior Researcher at Riga Technical University (RTU), Faculty of Computer Science, Information Technology and Energy.
In his lecture, Prof. Patlins focused on the process of preparing a diploma thesis, explaining it step by step, from the initial idea to the final defense. He emphasized that the diploma thesis is not merely a formal requirement, but evidence that a student is able to design and carry out independent research, work according to academic standards, and apply knowledge in a professional context.
Prof. Patlins spoke about the importance of choosing a relevant and manageable topic, as well as clearly formulating research questions. He underlined that objectives should be logically structured, measurable, and aligned with the structure of the thesis, while a strong research question should be clear, focused, and derived from the research problem.
A special part of the workshop was dedicated to academic integrity and originality in research. Prof. Patlins emphasized that originality does not necessarily imply a revolutionary discovery, but can also be achieved by applying an existing theory in a new context, studying a particular company or sector, or using a different methodological approach.
“An original contribution means bringing a new idea within a clear framework,” he said.
Prof. Patlins also addressed the responsible use of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that it can support idea generation, thesis structuring, and language editing, but should not be used to create fabricated data, write literature reviews without citations, or generate false references.
“The diploma thesis is not simply a formal requirement. It is evidence that a student can think analytically and critically,” was one of the professor’s key messages at the end of the lecture.
According to the participating students, the workshop offered valuable and highly practical advice on the process of preparing a diploma thesis. Local students emphasized that PISU is a good opportunity for them to meet international students, exchange experiences, and gain new knowledge through academic and intercultural activities.
This workshop once again demonstrated the role of PISU as an important platform for academic and intercultural cooperation, bringing together international and local students to exchange experiences, knowledge, and new ideas.
After the workshop, international students expressed particular interest in getting to know Prishtina better. They organized themselves into groups and visited different parts of the city, seeing this as an opportunity to combine their academic experience with an introduction to the local culture.