On 18 December 2024, a significant step forward in the collaboration between the University “Isa Boletini” in Mitrovica (UIBM) and the Sustainable Higher Education and Research in Kosovo (SHER) Programme was marked by the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The ceremony was led by Prof. Dr. Nurten Deva, Rector of the University “Isa Boletini” in Mitrovica, and Mr. Aqim Emurli, Team Leader of the SHER Programme.

The MoU lays the groundwork for a strategic partnership focused on fostering academic and research excellence through joint initiatives, expert support, and capacity-building programs. This partnership aims to strengthen the integration of research, policy development, and university advancement, with the shared vision of creating a more sustainable, evidence-based, and gender-responsive higher education system in Kosovo.

Rector Deva expressed her sincere gratitude for the continued support of the SHER Programme, acknowledging its vital role in the development of the UIBM. She reaffirmed her commitment to the newly signed MoU and conveyed her enthusiasm for furthering this partnership to advance the university’s academic and research objectives.

Mr. Emurli elaborated on the SHER Programme’s core mission, which includes enhancing governance structures within public higher education institutions (HEIs), boosting research capacities, and fostering stronger connections between academia, the private sector, and the wider community. He emphasized that SHER’s support to UIBM in strategic development and governance represents a long-term investment in Kosovo’s educational and economic future. He further underscored the mutual commitment to the MoU, emphasizing the shared responsibility of both parties in ensuring the success of this collaboration.

The signing of this MoU marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the partnership between the University “Isa Boletini” in Mitrovica and the SHER Programme. This collaboration will play a pivotal role in supporting the university’s academic, research, and strategic development goals while contributing to Kosovo’s broader higher education reform agenda, ensuring continued growth and alignment with global standards. We are pleased to remain committed to supporting public universities in Kosovo, reinforcing our shared mission of advancing higher education for the benefit of all.