With the support of USAID’s Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education, public universities in Kosovo are advancing institutional capacity to align academic curricula with industry needs. 

In 2024, the University of Prishtina, University “Haxhi Zeka” - Peja, and University “Ukshin Hoti” - Prizren took significant steps toward reforming study programs in Agriculture and ICT through a structured, multi-phased process that integrates input from academia, students, and the private sector.

Throughout 2024, the curricular reform process was applied to study programs across the three partner universities and unfolded in three key phases:

• Curriculum Reform Survey: Gathering insights from academic staff, students, and private sector representatives to identify gaps and opportunities. Findings were discussed collectively to inform next steps.
• Corporate Panel Workshops: Facilitated by university staff and attended by private sector representatives to identify labor market needs and the skills students must acquire.
• Curriculum Revision and Development: Professors and study program leaders revised curricula based on the insights and recommendations gathered in the earlier phases.

From June to November 2024, Kosovan academic and administrative staff participated in intensive training to master the third and final phase of the curricular reform process: curriculum reform and development. Led by the experiential-learning expert, Lon Moeller, professor, Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa, the training consisted of three rounds of workshops designed to equip academic staff with the skills needed to lead curricular reforms and ensure their long-term sustainability within their institutions. The training process was divided into two distinct phases:

• Training of Trainers (ToT): Selected academic staff were trained to lead curricular reform efforts within their universities.
• Hands-On Curriculum Revision: Newly trained leaders partnered with UI experts to train additional staff, including professors, assistant professors, and career services teams. Study programs underwent complete revision, applying the learned practices in real time. These programs are now in the final stages of implementation, with professors independently finalizing syllabi based on extensive feedback from academic peers and private sector consultations.

The workshops emphasized collaboration across institutions and sectors. Participants applied a learning-by-doing approach, revising study programs to incorporate industry needs, improve critical thinking skills, and prepare students for team-based problem-solving.

"These workshops provided a unique opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from other universities and the University of Iowa. We shared experiences, explored innovative approaches, and developed strategies to better prepare our students for the labor market. Workshops like these strengthen our capacity to meet private sector needs and improve our teaching practices."
— Hysen Bytyqi, Professor of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina

The Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity remains committed to supporting the long-term adoption of industry-informed curricular reform. By fostering collaboration between academia and the private sector, this initiative ensures that students graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to address industry challenges and contribute to Kosovo's economic growth.

The Private Sector Partnership to Strengthen Higher Education is a USAID activity is implemented by the University of Iowa in partnership with Iowa State University and the Kosova Education Center (KEC).