On 11th of December 2024, University “Haxhi Zeka” (UHZ) Pejë and the SHER Programme officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant milestone in the university’s academic and research development.

The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Vice Rector Prof. Assoc. Dr. Alma Shehu, followed by addresses from UHZ Rector Prof. Dr. Armand Krasniqi and SHER Team Leader Mr. Aqim Emurli. Rector, highlighted the long-standing partnership between SHER and UHZ, reflecting on successful collaborations in previous phases and expressing gratitude for the continued support of the SHER Programme.

Mr. Aqim Emurli, expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership and recognized UHZ’s ongoing initiatives, such as the Regional Economic Forum Dukagjini (REFD) Conference. He reaffirmed SHER’s commitment to driving systemic and sustainable transformation in higher education, noting that this collaboration will foster long-term development at UHZ.

The event concluded with an engaging open discussion, where participants discussed various aspects of the MoU and the sustainability of planned interventions. Both UHZ and SHER reiterated their commitment to the MoU, ensuring that the agreed activities will be implemented effectively in the near future.

This initiative aims to strengthen the higher education and research sectors by emphasizing evidence-based practices, needs-driven approaches, gender inclusivity, and sustainability. It is also aligned with the goals of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the European Research Area (ERA), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goals 4 and 9.