The University of Prishtina held the closing ceremony of the "Job Placement Counselling" Certification Program in the Senate Hall, where 33 employment counselors from the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo received their certificates. The program was carried out through a partnership between the University of Prishtina, the German Institute for Applied Sciences of Counselling (INfaBW), the Ministry of Labor, Family, and Liberation War Values, and the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo, with support from the German Government through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. This initiative stands as an advanced model of inter-institutional partnership aimed at developing human capital and modernizing public employment services.

In his opening remarks, the Rector of the University of Prishtina, Prof. Dr. Arben Hajrullahu, stressed that investing in the professional development of employment counselors means investing in the quality of services provided to citizens and in strengthening the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

"The University of Prishtina remains committed, alongside its academic mission, to being an active partner in building the professional capacities of public institutions. The 'Job Placement Counselling' program shows that when higher education is built on strategic partnerships with state institutions and international partners, it produces real results that directly affect the quality of services for citizens," said Hajrullahu.

The Minister of Labor, Family, and Liberation War Values, Mr. Andin Hoti, highlighted the strategic importance of strengthening the professional skills of employment counselors.

"Building the professional skills of employment counselors is a direct investment in human capital development and in improving the quality of public services. Inter-institutional cooperation remains the most effective way to build modern employment policies and to create new opportunities for citizens," stated Minister Hoti.

Speaking on behalf of the international partners, Mr. Mario Eckardt, Leader of the Education and Labor Market Skills Project at GIZ Kosovo, praised the cooperation with the University of Prishtina and local institutions as a successful example of institutional capacity building.

"Through this program, we have invested in the people who support citizens every day on their path toward employment. The cooperation with the University of Prishtina, INfaBW, and public institutions shows that developing professional skills is the foundation of a more inclusive, functional, and competitive labor market," said Mr. Eckardt.

In the central part of the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Majlinda Gjelaj, Vice-Rector for Institutional Development, Quality Assurance, and Student Affairs, presented the program's main results, its academic structure, and the certification process. She noted that the program was designed according to modern European standards, blending theory, professional practice, and the development of skills essential for today's employment counseling.

"The University of Prishtina continues to develop continuing professional education programs that respond to the needs of institutions and society. 'Job Placement Counselling' is a clear example of the role the university plays in raising the quality of public services and promoting lifelong learning," emphasized Gjelaj.

In his academic reflection, Prof. Dr. Bernd-Joachim Ertelt, representative of INfaBW, praised the program as a successful model for bringing international expertise to Kosovo and stressed the importance of professional standards in the field of career and employment counseling.

"Employment counseling is not merely a profession but a strategic tool for economic and social development. Cooperation among universities, public institutions, and international partners creates the foundation for building sustainable, citizen-centered professional services," said Professor Ertelt.

After the presentations and academic reflections, the ceremony continued with the formal awarding of certificates to the 33 participants who successfully completed the program.

Speaking on behalf of the certified participants, Shpat Zeka from the Employment Office in Prishtina said the program had a direct impact on the professional growth of employment counselors.

"The program allowed us to learn modern counseling methods, share professional experiences with colleagues from all over Kosovo, and build a network of cooperation that will positively affect the quality of services we offer to jobseekers," said Zeka.

From the perspective of participants from non-majority communities, Bojana Todorovic from the Employment Office in Zvecan highlighted the importance of the program's inclusive nature.

"This program created a professional environment where participants from different communities learned together, shared experiences, and built cooperation. The knowledge and practices we gained will help improve the services we provide to citizens and show that professional development and inter-community cooperation are shared values," said Todorovic.

One of the most meaningful outcomes of this program was its inclusive and multiethnic character. Out of a total of 33 certified participants, 26 belonged to the Albanian community, six to the Serbian community, and one to the Turkish community. The participation of individuals from different communities showed that the program promoted institutional cooperation, trust-building, and the exchange of professional practices among employment counselors from all regions of the country. This result marks another important achievement of the University of Prishtina, which, in line with its public mission, continues to develop programs that serve all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo without distinction, promoting equal access, professional development, and social cohesion.

The "Job Placement Counselling" program proved that cooperation between the University of Prishtina, public institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, and international partners can produce concrete, measurable, and lasting results in human capital development. Through this program, the professional skills of employment counselors were strengthened, modern standards of career guidance were promoted, and new bridges of cooperation were built between institutions, directly contributing to the improvement of public employment services and the development of a labor market that is more inclusive, more efficient, and more responsive to citizens' needs.

By organizing programs like this, the University of Prishtina reaffirms its role as a leading public institution in higher education, professional development, and international partnership, showing that the university is not only a center of knowledge but also a strategic partner in the institutional, economic, and social development of the Republic of Kosovo.