The second edition of the "Together in Science" Forum a platform for discussion and cooperation between the University of Prishtina and the academic diasporaon opened at the "Pjetër Bogdani" National Library as part of the PISU 2026 International Summer University.

Organized by the Center for Advanced Studies at the University of Prishtina, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and the German organization GIZ, the forum was led by Professor Gentrit Berisha. It began with strong recognition for the contributions of Kosovars working at some of the world's most respected higher education institutions.

The Rector of the University of Prishtina, Prof. Arben Hajrullahu, welcomed the attending professors from the academic diaspora by telling them that at UP, they are not guests, they are at home.

He pointed out that thanks to the Regulation on Transfers, the "Brain Gain" Program, and guidelines for Exceptional Recruitment Needs of Academic Staff, the number of diaspora members affiliated with UP is now close to ten. Rector Hajrullahu urged Kosovo and UP to make full use of the remarkable academic expertise that Kosovars around the world have to offer.

The Director of the Diaspora Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Elis Badalli, said that Albanians living abroad are Kosovo's most valuable assets.

Krenare Loxha, from the German organization GIZ, described the University of Prishtina as a vital institution that not only creates knowledge but has also contributed greatly to Kosovo's freedom.

She then presented a GIZ project focused on how UP's Center for Advanced Studies should be organized and operate. The Center is seen as the home of the academic diaspora at UP. Following this, Professor Gentrit Berisha shared the findings and recommendations from the first edition of the 'Together in Science' Forum.

Later, UP professors Fetah Podvorica and Kreshnik Hoti gave talks about the experiences they gained at universities abroad and their decision to return to the university in their home country.

The "Together in Science" Forum continued with a roundtable and two panel discussions. Topics included the outlook and strategies for cooperation between UP and the Kosovar academic diaspora, as well as the role of Albanian students around the world in promoting the University of Prishtina and the state of Kosovo.

The first edition of the "Together in Science" Forum took place in November 2025. You can follow the media coverage of the forum across several outlets using the links here.