On the eighth day of the Prishtina International Summer University (PISU), students continued with lectures, practical activities, and discussions on forensic science, democracy, gender equality, historical memory, and identity. The day concluded with International Night, a traditional PISU activity that brought together students, professors, and representatives of European institutions.
At the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, students continued their intensive lectures as part of the course “Introduction to Forensic Science”, led by Dr Aleksandar Radu, Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom, and Dr Albana Veseli, Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Prishtina.
During a practical activity, the students demonstrated the process of collecting samples from a simulated crime scene, explaining step by step the procedures that forensic experts must follow. The process included arriving at the scene, understanding the circumstances, securing the area, identifying fingerprints and other evidence, as well as packaging, labelling, and analysing the samples in a laboratory.
Prof. Radu introduced the students to the history of DNA analysis and the biological evidence that can support a criminal investigation. Prof. Veseli emphasised that a two-week course cannot train forensic experts, but it can provide students with important knowledge about collecting and handling evidence and analysing blood samples and other biological materials. Student Erblin Berisha expressed his satisfaction with the practical activity and the knowledge gained during the course.
As part of the PISU programme, the Faculty of Philosophy also hosted the conference “Democracy 2.0 – Gender Equality and Human Rights”, featuring former President of the Republic of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, who served as the country’s president from 2011 to 2016. The conference was moderated by Dr Merita Limani, a faculty member at the University of Western Ontario in Canada.
During the discussion, Jahjaga shared with the students her journey towards being elected as the consensus President of the Republic of Kosovo, recalling the political and institutional challenges of that period. She also spoke about the responsibilities and pressures she faced as Kosovo’s first woman president, highlighting the importance of leadership based on integrity, commitment, and service to citizens.
A significant part of the discussion focused on women’s rights and gender equality. Drawing on her experiences, Jahjaga spoke about the challenges women continue to face in Kosovo and around the world, underlining that protecting their rights is a shared responsibility of institutions and society. She also emphasised the role of young people in developing a democratic state and encouraged students to become active in public life and contribute to building strong and trustworthy institutions.
The discussion took the form of an open conversation, giving students the opportunity to ask questions about leadership, democracy, and women’s empowerment. Reha Moran, a student from the United States, said she was particularly impressed by Jahjaga’s humility as a leader, her commitment to strengthening trustworthy institutions, and her dedication to empowering women. In conclusion, the former president emphasised that sustainable democracy is built through the equal participation of all citizens, including women, young people, and marginalised groups.
The programme continued with a workshop led by Dr Ayça Baydar, a lecturer in the Department of History at Kastamonu University in Türkiye. The workshop, titled “From Empire to Nation-State: Memory, Migration and Identity”, explored the role of historical memory and migration in shaping national identities.
Dr Baydar shared reflections on the region’s historical experiences, ethnic conflicts, and the breakdown of coexistence within the Ottoman Empire. She explained that historical memory is shaped by historians and national narratives, meaning that different societies may remember the same past in different ways. The workshop encouraged students to reflect on how the Ottoman Empire was transformed into different nation-states and on the painful consequences of this process.
International students appreciated the opportunity to discuss the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, gender perspectives, and the history of the modern Turkish state. Alexandros Stylianidis from Democritus University of Thrace in Greece thanked the University of Prishtina for organising workshops that broaden students’ horizons. Klodiana Starova from Aleksandër Xhuvani University of Elbasan described the workshop as a valuable opportunity for the younger generation, appreciating the fact that PISU brings together students from different countries, each contributing their own culture and perspectives.
In the evening, International Night was held, a tradition of the Prishtina International Summer University, organised this year in cooperation with Europe House Kosovo and with the support of the European Union Office in Kosovo. The event brought together students from Kosovo, the region, and different European countries, creating space for dialogue, networking, and cultural exchange.
The participants were addressed by the Rector of the University of Prishtina, Prof. Arben Hajrullahu, and Laura Fallavollita, Head of the Good Governance and Human Capital Section at the European Union Office in Kosovo. Representatives of European institutions and embassies presented opportunities for study, scholarships, and academic mobility across the European Union. The evening aimed to highlight the role of education and cultural exchange in empowering the next generation and deepening Kosovo’s ties with the EU. It continued in a festive and friendly atmosphere, with live music performed by a band led by University of Prishtina professor Dukagjin Muhaxhiri.