On 7 November 2025, SHER in close collaboration with University Haxhi Zeka in Peja (UHZ) organized the second workshop titled “Academia–Industry Collaboration – Focusing on the Development and Review of Curricula Aligned with Regional Labor Market Needs.”

This event marked an important follow-up to the first SHER supported workshop and served as part of the ongoing preparations for the Dukagjini Regional Economic Forum 2025 (FERD), one of the programme’s key regional initiatives to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and governance.

The workshop gathered representatives from universities, municipalities, central institutions such Ministry of Regional Development, businesses, and civil society organizations to discuss effective approaches for strengthening technological integration between higher education and the industrial sector and for building a sustainable collaboration ecosystem in the Dukagjini region.

Opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Dr. Armand Krasniqi, Rector of UHZ, and Mr. Nehat Dervishi, SHER Thematic Coordinator, who emphasized the programme’s continuous commitment to enhancing university–industry partnerships as a driver of innovation and regional growth. Following a presentation by Prof. Dr. Avdullah Alija, SHER Programme Expert, on the results of the first workshop on Innovation and Digital Transformation, participants engaged in interactive discussions around the joint role of Academia, Industry, and Government, using the Triple Helix model as a guiding framework for sustainable regional development.

In the second part of the workshop, participants contributed to shaping the agenda of the 3rd Dukagjini Regional Economic Forum (FERD), identifying key priority topics and upcoming discussion sessions.

This workshop is part of the SHER Programme’s broader mission to strengthen higher education reform in Kosovo by connecting universities with the private sector and local governance — with the ultimate goal of improving education quality and increasing youth employability across the Dukagjini region.