From Warm‑Up to the World: Luxembourg–Kosovo Cooperation Driving Academic Mobility and Research Growth

Kosovo’s next generation of researchers is stepping into a more connected and competitive academic landscape, supported by a growing partnership with the University of Luxembourg. Through the Skills for Sustainable Jobs in Kosovo project, funded by the Luxembourg Government and implemented by LuxDev, students are gaining access to international research environments, advanced mentorship, and opportunities that extend beyond traditional academic pathways.
 

At the centre of this effort is a growing collaboration between the University of Prishtina and the University of Luxembourg-one that is strengthening research capacity, modernising doctoral education, and linking academic work to real-world impact.

Warm-Up: A platform for exchange and new thinking

The Warm-Up Winter Academy serves as an entry point into this collaboration-a space where students, professors, and researchers come together to exchange ideas, present their work, and reflect on the future of doctoral education. Developed within the framework of the partnership between the University of Prishtina, the University of Luxembourg, and the Skills for Sustainable Jobs project, Warm-Up builds on a long-term commitment to strengthening academic cooperation and research excellence. This year’s Academy also featured contributions from two experts from the University of Luxembourg, Dr. Carlo Duprel and Assoc. Prof. Marcus Völp, whose participation enriched discussions on research innovation and doctoral education.
 

This year’s focus on project-based doctoral programmes signals a shift towards more applied and interdisciplinary research models-ones that connect academic work directly with industry and societal challenges. As the University of Prishtina advances its academic offer, this transformation is becoming increasingly central to its vision. As UP Rector Arben Hajrullahu emphasised, “PhD programmes should be interdisciplinary-bringing together IT, artificial intelligence, and the economy-to respond to real-world challenges.”

From exchange to experience: A partnership in action

The Warm-Up activity reflects a deeper and ongoing collaboration between the University of Prishtina and the University of Luxembourg, particularly through its Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT).

This partnership has already been translated into concrete opportunities for students. Master’s and PhD candidates from Kosovo have been integrated into advanced research environments in Luxembourg, where they work alongside international experts, access specialised facilities, and contribute to scientific research. So far, six students: three at Master’s level and three pursuing doctoral research have benefited from international placements in Luxembourg, with at least one continuing into PhD studies.

One of these students, Bajram Sherifi, experienced this transformation firsthand. During a five-month research placement at SnT, he worked on developing a secure digital identity verification system for the FinTech sector-an experience that reshaped how he approached research and innovation. “Being treated as a colleague rather than just a student gave me the confidence to believe in my ideas,” he explains. His work, carried out within an international research team, exposed him to global standards and collaborative methodologies that go beyond what is typically accessible in local contexts. After successfully defending his thesis, he continued into doctoral studies while contributing to the private sector-demonstrating the strong link between research, employability, and innovation.
 

Nine more placements will take place during 2026 in both Master’s and doctoral research. 
 

Why this matters for Kosovo

This collaboration addresses a critical gap in Kosovo’s higher education and research system: limited access to advanced research infrastructure, international networks, and structured pathways into high-level academic and professional careers. By combining student mobility, institutional cooperation, and innovative approaches to doctoral education, the initiative contributes to long-term systemic change. It strengthens the connection between academia and industry, ensuring that research is not only theoretical but also relevant and applicable.

As highlighted by the Head of SNT Technology Transfer Office at the Univ of Luxembourg, Carlo Duprel, “Research must be connected to real needs. Through collaboration with industry, we develop solutions while training the highly skilled people companies need-so they can contribute both to academia and the economy.”
 

At the same time, the focus on fields such as cybersecurity and digital trust reflects broader development priorities. These are not only academic disciplines-they are essential foundations for economic competitiveness and sustainable growth. As Ambassador Dietz underlined, “Cybersecurity and digital trust are fundamental to modern economies-without them, there can be no sustainable growth or competitiveness.”

A pathway for the future

From the Warm-Up Winter Academy to international research placements, this initiative represents a structured pathway-one that starts with dialogue, evolves through experience, and delivers impact. As more students engage in this process, the effects will extend beyond individual success stories. They will shape institutions, influence policy, and contribute to a more innovative and resilient Kosovo. Through sustained investment in skills, partnerships, and research, the Skills for Sustainable Jobs in Kosovo project is helping build not only careers-but a stronger academic and innovative ecosystem for the future.