“I am impressed with what I saw” expressed himself at the beginning of his speech Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, who held a lecture today on the topic “The economic development of Republic of Kosovo”, in front of the students and the academic staff of AAB-Riinvest.

Kosovo has entered the last phase of international surveillance while its economy from the post-war emergent phase now has passed in the phase of sustainable economic development, said Prime Minister Thaçi. “We are entering the phase of NATO integration, UN and United Nations Organization. All this conveyed with consolidation and full fictionalization of Kosovo institutions” emphasized Thaçi.

He said that Kosovo is already marking a yearly economic growth of 5.4 %, while for the future years the growth is expected to reach 6%. The new fiscal policy, according to the Prime Minister has created a very attractive investment environment, on the other side he said that the capital investments will continue further.

“These encouraging rates of growth are not enough. We have to reach higher rates of growth in order to reduce the high rate of unemployment, especially of the youth and we all know that this growth comes from beginning with the implementation of huge infrastructural projects that the government is making”.

According to Thaçi the construction of the highway is the will of the nation. “I have presented the highway project and the electorate voted me, now I have this will to construct the highway by providing Kosovo’s access to the sea”. He recalled that the deviation of highway’s track would save the country about 400 million euros, because the opening of tunnels would be avoided, while this deviation will cost to the passenger less than 6 minutes time. 

Answering the question of the students of AAB-Riinvest about his optimism on the war against corruption, Thaçi said that for 11 years from now, corruption and organized crime were not fought and the whole war is concentrated now. “I know that this is not an easy battle, but be sure together we will succeed. This isn’t a daily, monthly or seasonal battle, it not an easy battle and a long one. But the rule of law definitely must dominate in Kosovo. Only with the rule of law we can build order, democracy and functional institutions”.

Prime Minister Thaçi promised that privatization will continue, including also public enterprises, but such a thing will pass through the Assembly and will ensure even a greater economic development. “This is the reason why we are privatizing state’s assets also, KEK, PTK and lately, as you are informed, is successfully closed concessioning of the International Airport of Prishtina to a prestigious international company for the 20 next years”.

Regarding the question of the students why the Government didn’t take in account the recommendations of the international education experts and British Council that AAB-Riinvest should have been accredited long time ago as a university and not as college-Thaçi didn’t give a concrete answer. He said that Kosovo has followed a very progressive education policy concerning the accreditation of private universities.

“We do have the Accreditation Agency where as no other country in region are hired proved international experts of the field of education”. However, Thaçi emphasized that he was truly impressed with the learning spaces and with the work that AAB-Riinvest is doing.

“I think that AAB-Riinvest as well as the other colleges, are moving towards the goal they want to achieve. I was impressed with the achievements of this college and for that let me congratulate you for the achieved success, let me express my high consideration for you, for the professors and especially for the students who are the future of our country” said Prime Minister Thaçi.

You can read Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi’s full lecture here:  

Dear students, academic, administrative and technical staff, we inform you that on Wednesday, 7th of July 2010, 13:00 at AAB-Riinvest University a lecture will be held with the prime minister of Kosovo Mr.Hashim Thaçi. 

The lecture on the topic “The Economic Development of Kosovo Republic” will be held in the large amphitheater at the 1st building, starting at 13:00.

Participation will be open to all interested.

Welcome!

At the press conference organized by AAB-Riinvest University on the occasion of the end of the academic year 2009/2010, discussions were made regarding the achievements and challenges that AAB-Riinvest has passed during this year, University’s strategic plan, also the new programs of basic studies that will offer during the new academic year conducted in English language.

Among the successes that the Rector of AAB-Riinvest, Uros Lipuscek emphasized was the membership of the University in Magna Charta Universitatum, that will be officially signed in September. “We are the first non public University in Kosovo to be part of this organization that consists of 78 countries with around 600 universities” said Lipuscek. He also mentioned the membership in Alpe Adria, a university association consisting of prominent  universities from Germany, Italy, Slovenia and other countries.

The growth of the library book funds is another success of our university. “We have around 20 thousand new units such as EBSCO and some other sources that are very important for our research work” stated the rector of AAB-Riinvest.

Meanwhile, Muhamet Mustafa, vice chairman of the Board of AAB-Riinvest, presented the Strategic Plan 2010-2014 of the University, which was approved a few days ago. “Our aim is to become the best university not just in Kosovo but also in the region and unlike other universities we will be known as a strong research center” emphasized Mr. Mustafa.

AAB-Riinvest University, in the academic year 2010/2011 will also offer new study programs in cooperation with Staffordshire University. The main study courses will be held in English language. The student registered in AAB-Riinvest will physically stay in Prishtina, while they will attend the programs of Staffordshire University which are authorized to be held at AAB-Riinvest. This will happen thanks to the franchise agreement reached with the well known Staffordshire University from Great Britain.

“The process of validation is already done by Staffordshire University, there were two rounds of validation, one in England and one in Kosovo which are successfully finished”. The students that will attend these courses will be awarded with diplomas directly from Staffordshire University” said Alban Hashani, leader of the new franchise study programs. 

At the end of this conference, the Chairman of the AAB-Riinvest Board, Mr. Ilir Tafa, thanked all those who were engaged in many activities organized by AAB-Riinvest University during this academic year. According to Tafa, AAB-Riinvest despite all difficulties, has passed a very successful academic year.
 

Today at AAB-Riinvest stayed the head of Liaison Office of European Commission, Mr.Renzo Daviddi who held a presentation in front of the AAB-Riinvest students.

During this presentation Mr.Daviddi gave a clear structure of the steps that a country should follow towards the European Integration. He said that EU can not put conditions to any country for resolving problems with the neighbors but he may only play the mediator role.

He also mentioned some of the criterias that have to be applied in order to be integrated in EU: “The political criterias including achieving the institutions stability, democracy guarantee, rule of law, human and minority rights and the economy criteria which enable the settlement of many country aspects” are the most important criteria for a country to become a member of EU-said Daviddi.

Regarding Kosovo-Mr. Daviddi said that Kosovo has many problems ahead, however Kosovo is at the beginning of EU membership process. He emphasized that “ Kosovo institutions first of all have to fight against corruption and organized crime if they want to be part of the European Union”.

“If there is determination to fight corruption and organized crime, I think that only the positive part of this will remain, while the negative part will disappear”, said Renzo Daviddi.

Kosovo’s EU Integration process

Macro Economic framework from Economic growth
 

At the Palace of Culture, Youth and Sports in Prishtina,  today will be opened the 12th edition of the book exhibition “Prishtina 2010” which is organized  every year by the Association of Kosova Publishers.

At this exhibition will participate about 100 publishing houses from Albania, Kosova, Macedonia, Lugina e Presheves, Diaspora with about 1500 new book titles.

Moreover , AAB – Riinvest University will participate with more than 70 book titles from different fields. During this exhibition AAB – Riinvest will promote some new books that published last year.
Furthermore, AAB-Riinvest will offers to the readers 30% discount for all its books.

The solemn opening of the 12th exhibition will be done by the President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Jakup Krasniqi and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Lutfi Haziri, on this occasion Ramiz Kelmendi held a greeting speech

The exhibition will remain opened from 7th to 13th of June 2010.

 

AAB-Riinvest published the newest edition of the international research review “Thesis Kosova” 1/2010.

In the spring edition of the review are published papers from different fields of knowledge.

We inform readers of “Thesis Kosova” that the newest edition can be found in “Dukagjini” bookshop and “AAB-Riinvest” bookshop.

The institutions can get the review at AAB-Riinvest University.
 

AAB-Riinvest University approved today the Strategic Plan 2010-2014, conform the current law on higher education in Kosovo.

The strategic plan presents a synthetic, concise document that expresses the development vision of AAB-Riinvest, by which are identified all important actors of the university as well as the factors and growth sources of its development.

This strategic plan contains the achievements of AAB-Riinvest University, successes and challenges regarding the studying programs, students, staff, research programs, quality assurance system, local and international partnerships and financial sustainability.

During the implementation of the Strategic Plan, AAB-Riinvest will consolidate existing programs and will increase the efficiency and the quality of studies.
 

After several activities on Saturday at AAB-Riinvest University the closing ceremony of traditional manifestation “Days of AAB-Riinvest 2010” was held.

The closure of this manifestation was done by rewarding gratitudes and cups for all those who contributed in this manifestation.

Three most successful students presentations for the academic year 2009/2010 were rewarded. These re wards were given by the rporector for Academic Issues of AAB-Riinvest, Rrahmen Paçarizi.

Meanwhile, the cups and medals for the winners of sports finals, held in this day, were given by the Dean of Physical Culture faculty, Prof. Dr. Hazir Salihu.

Winner of the table tennis discipline announced the student Bekim Millaku from Economics Faculty.

In small football the team of Computing Sciences Faculty won the cup.

Rector of AAB-Riinvest University, Uros Lipuscek in his closing speech reminded one more time the activities developed during this week: conferences, debates, humanitarian activities and many other activities and by this he estimated the festival very successful.
 

On the 15th anniversary of Riinvest Institute, at “Activating Sources of Economic Growth” conference, held on this occasion, at AAB-Riinvest University stood the Ambassador of US Embassy, Mr. Christopher Dell. He said that Kosovo survived the economic crises, because of the fact that her weak economy didn’t have much to lose. “Kosovo is fortunate in that it weathered the worst of this economic storm better than most of ots neighbors. Unfortunately, the reasons for Kosovo’s escape are no cause for celebration-its capital did not take flight because of minimal levels of foreign investment in the economy. Exports, did not plunge, because they were already at rock bottom” said Dell, adding that Kosovo’s citizens have shown an amazing ability to survive.

He stressed that Kosovo, by some estimates, has an unemployment rate of 45%, and up to 75% for young people.

“To make a meaningful dent in unemployment and move toward European income levels, the International Monetary Fund Estimates that Kosovo should grow at least 7% per year. And you need to maintain that rate for a long time” claimed Dell, by stressing that growth is not happening, few businesses are being established, there is little domestic or foreign investment and Kosovo’s exports have collapsed.

Kosovo continues to consume far more than it produces, investment is low, unemployment is high, and private businesses face a series of hurdles that prevent them from achieving their true potential, stressed Dell.

The American Ambassador said that such an unbalanced economy is unsustainable over the long term. It is imperative that Kosovo develop a strong- and legal-economic base that will allow it become prosperous and viable candidate for membership in the European Union. There is only one way to achieve this-with a free economy, unshackled from state interference and led by a competitive private sector which generates jobs and wealth for all Kosovo’s citizens-stressed Dell.

Even after reducing the size of the public sector and instituting pro-business reforms we need to set some clear goals for growth based on new companies, new markets and new approaches. Over the next couple of years, I believe Kosovo should aim at least doubleits exports. It should strive to create at least 10.000 more jobs per year. And we should aim to increase GDP by at least 7% a year.

I believe these goals are ambitious, but achievable…
By comparing ups and downs of some states such as Georgia, Zimbabwe etc. Dell said that Kosovo must follow through on the kinds of reforms towards the economic growth.

The first and the most obvious of these steps to resolve the energy problem in the shortest possible time, so the economy benefits from reliable, clean supply of electricity. He also said that he is hopeful that it will follow a fair and transparent process due to PTK privatization.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Riinvest Institute, said that through this conference a review will be given regarding the way that the Kosovo growth index should strengthen.

Click here to download the general speech of United States Ambassador Mr. Christopher Dell

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Riinvest Institute’s establishment, “Activating Sources of Economic Growth in Kosovo” was held at AAB-Riinvest University.

Conference’s aim was research and presenting new advanced experiences and knowledge in activating sources of economic development in a developing economy- with a special reference to Kosovo case.

Moreover, conference’s aim was also promoting research activities in Kosovo that have to do with social economic development and enforcement of partnerships of academic spheres and experts of economic development in Europe, USA and so on, as well as with international organizations.

At the conference participated well known names of academic fields from our country and from the world as well as international economics experts and representatives of local and international institutions.
At the conference also participated the US Ambassador in Kosovo, Mr. Christopher Dell.

In the opening ceremony of conference presentations, Prof. Dr. Muhamet Mustafa said that good governance and effective institutions are considered as the most important factor of economic development.
For Kosovo, this remains a field of a crucial importance. Our new institutions have to go through a developing process but there is not much time for retry and learn from failures because the major unemployment and the social tensions make pressure for a good performance, stressed Mr. Mustafa.

Now, Kosovo must go towards the growth of economic sources aiming to achieve the region level and of course in order to achieve this, there is much work in many aspects required-said Borko Handijski, representative of World bank, during his presentation at the conference.

To increase the economic level Kosovo must use its potentials, agricultural land, the youngest population in region, mines such as Trepca, that once was the biggest in Yugoslavia.

Ken Jackson, from Auckland University talked about the importance of institutions and the geographical position of a country considering these two factors important fro economic development.

At today’s conference divided in three sessions, discussed also about Bank efficiency in Southeastern Europe mediation, where Valentin Toçi said that the financial sector is the most important in increasing economic sources, while the less efficient sector in Kosovo in the Bank sector, foreign banks are more efficient than the local ones, stressed Mr. Toçi.

In the last session of the conference discussed about the human factor, intellectual capital and migration that also have a crucial importance in activating potentials of economic growth.

Education is one of the most important factors for the self employed or employers said Besnik Krasniqi from University of Prishtina. According to him, determining factors of selfemployment are age, marital status and education.

On the other side, Drita Kadriu, Deputy of Assembly of Kosovo, said that education asone of the most important pillars for economic development, has to be slowly reformed. “Learning and innovation, life skills and carrier, learning environment are some of the challenges with which education deals in Kosovo”, said Mrs. Kadriu.
 

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of its establishment, Riinvest Institute announced the winner of the “Professor Ekrem Beqiri” prize.

From all papers arrived by the public advertisement, the evaluation panel, gave the prize for the best paper to the student Bardhyl Dobra, from “Reims Champagne Ardenne” University, in France. 

The winning paper was entitled “Si ndodhi kalimi nga Keynesjanismi ne Neoliberalizem”.

The prize “ Ekrem Beqiri” was established in 2009 to honor professor Ekrem Beqiri, who was a polyedric intellectual of high profile especially in political, economical and technical fields.
 

At AAB-Riinvest’ ambulance, over 40 students and staff members of AAB- Riinvest contributed in volunteer blood donation for people in need.

In addition to this humanitarian activity, Students Union of AAB-Riinvest, visited Krusha e Madhe Village, where the collected donations were distributed to help the orphans of this village.

AAB-Riinvest University, awarded a scholarship to the best pupil of this village and also other donations were distributed such as 100 family packages and 100 flour sacks.

“We are with you and with your pain. AAB-Riinvest University will continue to support you even further ”, said Besard Belegu, Head of Students Union to the visited families of Krusha.

During the manifestation collected donations were distributed also to SOS-Fshati nderkombetar in Prishtina.

AAB-Riinvest , will continue in the future to organize such humanitarian actions to ease somehow the concerns of those who need a helping hand.
 

Activities of sports competitions marked another day of “Days of AAB-Riinvest” manifestation.

In the third day of manifestation sports competitions were held in these disciplines: Small football, table tennis, street ball and volleyball.
In small football competed 16 teams from each faculty of AAB-Riinvest. Meanwhile, Physical Culture Faculty will meet Criminology Faculty at finals.

At the discipline of table tennis 16 players competed, students and staff of AAB-Riinvest. Prof. Ilir Tafa will face Prof.Bujar Tafa at finals of this discipline.

The next discipline was street ball, where 8 teams competed in 6 matches. In street ball finals will compete the Team from Law faculty and Criminology team.

Finals for all these disciplines will be held on Saturday, at 10:00.
To enclose the sports day, at 17:30 the friendly game in volleyball was held between professional female teams, AAB-Riinvest and Forca from Skopje.

The friendly match was held at the Sports Gym of “ Pallati i Rinise” in Prishtina.

This friendly match held on the occasion of “ Days of AAB-Riinvest” manifestation, resulted in the victory of guests from Skopje, 3:0 result.
All three sets held during this match ended with these results: 25-19; 26-24 and 25-22 in favour of Forca team from Skopje.

At the end of the match, the organizer of AAB-Riinvest University, awarded with a cup a gratitude the guests team from Macedonia for the cooperation in the “ Days of AAB-Riinvest” manifestation.