The overall purpose of this project is to set the stage for launching a Joint Master Programme in Leadership, Innovation, Evaluation and Quality in Education (LIEQE) by the following consortium: the University of Prishtina (Kosovo), the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), the University of Tallinn (Estonia), and the University of Warsaw (Poland). Leadership, innovation, and evidence-based practices have been recognised as critical elements in addressing challenges pertaining to quality education in Europe. A concern about internationalizing and providing quality education and the belief that education practitioners can contribute to such issues based on leadership, innovation and evaluation practices, is the driving force behind the design measure for launching LIEQE. This project addresses the priority of designing a new, innovative, high-level integrated transnational study programme at the Master level that will reflect in internationalising the field of education within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) as an under-represented thematic area, integrating labour-market relevant topics and modules in education studies into an inclusive programme that goes beyond education policy and school management, increasing the focus on international comparisons and cross-national policy transfers for (global) education innovation and change, linking teacher education institutions and school development at the local, national, regional, European, and international level (generally), and developing a research/evidence-based education improvement. This programme draws on the strengths of each member of the consortium to design this international Master programme that aims to qualify people to work with processes intended to improve the quality of education and ensure education change in diverse contexts. The designed Master’s programme LIEQE will prepare future education leaders The Design of a Master Program on Leadership, Innovation, Evaluation and Quality in Education

The main goal of the “ETHCSTWIN'' initiative is to establish a collaborative network between the Institute for Ethnopharmacological Studies and Phytotherapy (IESP / NKUA University) with two highly renowned academic research teams from Italy (Research team of Prof. A. Pieroni) and Germany (Research team of Prof. M. Hofmann-Apitius), as well as Biotech SME PangeaAI and Uni. of Prishtina (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences) in order to incorporate ETH insights into novel computational and digital frameworks by focusing on developing a rich portfolio of complex methodologies and tools, encompassing the analysis of extensive big data sets and the restoration of both tangible and intangible heritage. Following thorough research and assessment of data derived from several ethnopharmacological sources (e.g. manuscripts, folklore texts, ethnobotanical studies, ETHCSTWIN's subsequent phase will involve knowledge transfer and capacity building in AI, Machine Learning, and Data Mining methodologies, as well as advancing ethnopharmacological studies among the project's partners. This newly acquired knowledge and capabilities will contribute to developing of the ETHCSTWIN platform, which will serve as a resource for data collection, processing, and creating an extensive relational database comprising a vast dataset repository. The project will establish an Ecosystem Excellence Aggregator, presented as an open science community, that will host the ETHCSTWIN database and toolkit and will offer support for stakeholder training. ETHCSTWIN will provide a unique opportunity for IESP and its partners to develop the first European Ecosystem with IESP as the Regional Research Centre on Ethnopharmacology and Phytotherapy, connecting the Balkans, Mediterranean, and Central Europe. The successful implementation of this project will facilitate future collaborations with experts in the fields of Ethnopharmacology and Computer Science & will increase IESP’s research capabilities.

The proposed project aims to collaboratively integrate modern data system, experiments, imaging, machine learning and predictive engineering-physical modelling for additive manufacturing (AM) and materials developments. Through focused knowledge transfer, close interdisciplinary teamwork and fusion of the academic-industrial research/resource, the team will jointly establish a systematic data system of the structure, properties, defects and distortions in AM of a range of materials at different scales and use the data for materials development and AM process optimisation. The effect of AM processing and surface treatments on the surface integrity and functional properties (e.g. corrosion resistance) of AM materials is to be systematically established. The project will develop practical imaging and processing algorithms for the analysis, design, and joint quality control for the input materials in AM, including powder production. Engineering and key physical modelling is to be integrated with machine learning for predictive composition and structure design for optimum synergy between printability, properties and performances. Materials development balancing printability and structure properties will be focused on advanced materials requiring critical phase control in AM, including duplex stainless steels, amorphous glass metals and Mg. The advanced data and materials will serve as a pivoting platform for future research and innovation in AM, speeding up material development within the full product development life cycle. Through focused intersectoral and international knowledge exchange and joint R&I within a multidisciplinary team, the project will contribute to the continuous practical applications of Industry 4.0 technologies and development for industry5.0 in AM, further enhancing the design freedom in composition and structure for application-specific products, and accelerating the researcher development with lasting impact in the EU and beyond.

The project aims at enhancing quality of design and delivery of initial teacher education (ITE) towards increasing the professionalism bar for teaching profession in Kosovo through the implementation of European-inspired quality assurance mechanism that produce teacher professionalism aspired by teaching profession in Kosovo. The two important concepts in this project are 1) internal quality assurance mechanism in Initial Teacher Education (including but not limited to program review, organised monitoring, collecting feedback from students on quality of teaching and learning resources, review of quality of student services, review of managerial practices including staff policies, review of research activity etc, and 2) the development of teacher professionalism. The project makes the link in a way that the proposed internal quality assurance mechanism needs to contribute to the achievement of the desired professionalism in school system. The desired professionalism is referred to the policy set up for the teaching profession which the internal quality assurance system needs to contribute to. In addition, in order to achieve a quality culture in initial teacher education, the project supports the development of management skills and practices to manage internal quality assurance as well as development of teacher educator competencies to be able to deliver quality courses (specified in quality indicators for teaching in teacher education) that are in line with the expectations of professionalism in teaching profession and at the service of school reform. In order to address this, the project provides capacity building and resources for teacher educators and managers of initial teacher education. In this way the project brings all stakeholders together to link to the development of a quality culture in teacher education in Kosovo.

Despite ever accelerating workplace changes, including rapidly expanding technological access and fast improving information and communication systems, the education system in Kosovo is not fully developed to provide a high quality research-based education in Information and Communication Technology . Coping simultaneously with varied national priorities, Kosovo – a small country with 2 million inhabitants and a national budget of only 2.3 billion – lacks the needed investments to transform the education system quality. A funded ICT doctoral program would address today's workforce priorities and requirements. The design and delivery of a national PhD program in ICT is crucial for Kosovo in order to ensure competitive readiness within the regional education systems and national economies of the West Balkans - and beyond. The Partner Country’s specific objectives are to:1: Establish a national research school in ICT 2: Establish a national curricula for PhD studies in ICT with key elements of learning outcomes, goals and skills 3: Increase the knowledge, skills and abilities of Kosovo university staff and faculty4: Facilitate the accreditation process to appropriate national bodies5: Implement the national PhD program and register the first generation of graduate studentsThe ICT sector in Kosovo has created around 6,500 jobs in the past decade and, according to economic projections, another 10,000 new jobs will be created by 2025. The project aims to create long term effects, by generating high quality instructional cadres for the education system in Kosovo, who will disseminate their knowledge to the next generation of ICT students, preparing them for the growth of the ICT industry. Specific expected effects will be:1: An academically rigorous research education in ICT 2: Increased national quality assurance policy for research pedagogy and education in ICT 3: Increased mobility of PhD students and faculty from Kosovo with Programme Country counterparts