At the fourth ministerial meeting of the Western Balkan countries, which is being held in Vlora, minister of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Arsim Bajrami has held a speech for achievements and plans in reformation of higher education programs in relation to the labour market needs.
Minister Bajrami, on this occasion, stressed that the crucial moment for a successful reform of higher education is the political consensus and the academic consensus. “This consensus must be built with awareness that a reform of higher education is more of a state and national project than a political project of a party”.
Speaking for the autonomy of universities, minister Bajrami stressed that our Governments should give universities full financial and academic autonomy, but we must demand accountability for the quality of service that they offer. “We need to create sustainable building mechanisms of state quality standards”.
Minister Bajrami said that, it’s time that our universities be part of the country’s economic development. “It is very important that today universities be related to the needs of development indicators and labour market”, said minister Bajrami, while mentioned the fact that now in Kosova has started with the European Union the study of the labour market and based on this study, reforms in the education system will be done.
To create a stability of higher education, minister Bajrami said that initially we need legitimacy, then the academic standards of functional governance, so that universities start thinking to raise funds for themselves by finding ways to connect also with the economy and businesses.
The minister spoke about the next step that will take with the new competition for admission to universities. “Will reduce for 30 percent the students’ number in social sciences, and 30 percent will increase the number for the technical applied sciences”.
At the fourth ministerial meeting of the Western Balkan countries, which will end today, is being discussed for education developments in the region and the European Union contribution in alignment with the regional education system of the EU countries.
This meeting is organized by the European Commission within the Platform for Education and Training for the Western Balkan.
Last modified: September 1, 2022
