On Monday, at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Prishtina, the Kosovo Health Policy Lab: Non-Communicable Diseases Leadership Course officially opened within the framework of the Prishtina International Summer University (PISU) 2026.

This important course is offered outside the regular programme of PISU courses and is designed as a more focused, professional learning opportunity dedicated to participants working in or connected to the field of public health and health policy.

The NCD Leadership Course addresses a topic of great relevance for Kosova, while also responding to a public health challenge of global importance. Non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory conditions, and cancer, affect not only the health sector, but also the broader social, economic, and institutional development of the country. Through this intensive two-week, practice-based programme, participants will work with national and international experts to strengthen their ability to analyse health policies, translate evidence into action, design realistic solutions, navigate institutional contexts, and communicate effectively with decision-makers. The programme is designed not only as a learning experience, but also as a space for dialogue, collaboration, and leadership.

The course is offered through the collaboration between the University of Prishtina, the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute from Switzerland, and the Integrated Health Services Project in Kosovo, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Kosovo. This partnership brings together international expertise and multidisciplinary perspectives to create a meaningful and practice-oriented learning environment.

Participants in the course were selected through a competitive essay process, which invited them to reflect on real and urgent health policy challenges in Kosovo. This process helped identify motivated participants who are ready to engage seriously with complex policy questions and contribute with their knowledge, ideas, and professional perspectives.

By connecting local health policy challenges with international expertise, this course reflects the broader mission of PISU: to create spaces where knowledge is shared, partnerships are strengthened, and students and professionals are empowered to become active contributors to society.