NEWS AND EVENTS

Workshop III: EU Environmental Implementation Review

On 14 April 2024, Gjirokaster University in Albania hosted Workshop III: EU Environmental Implementation Review, a pivotal event focused on the environmental progress and challenges within Europe. The day began with registration at 9:00 AM, followed by a welcome address. Participants then delved into the complexities of trade in environmental goods and services, discussing both the benefits and drawbacks for the continent. A summary session encapsulated the key points of the morning discussion. Post-lunch, the workshop shifted focus to Kosovo, examining the unique environmental challenges it faces. The final session addressed the impact of climate change on the environment and agriculture, highlighting the pressing issues and future challenges. The event concluded with a closing address, wrapping up a day filled with insightful discussions and forward-looking strategies for environmental sustainability in Europe.

Workshop II – Steps Towards Sustainable Business Development and the Circular Economy: The Role of Environment and Agriculture

On 23 March 2024, University of Prizren hosted a workshop titled “Steps Towards Sustainable Business Development and the Circular Economy: The Role of Environment and Agriculture.” The event focused on various key areas, including the economics of environmental quality, agricultural production, the use of analytical tools, and international trade and development policy. The workshop emphasized the potential for the Western Balkans to adopt best practices from the EU, aiming to improve regional sustainability and economic growth.

The morning sessions started with analytical tools that are crucial for evaluating environmental quality and optimizing agricultural production. These discussions provided participants with important practical recommendations on how to implement these tools effectively. The afternoon session moved its focus towards international trade and development policy, exploring how the Western Balkans can use the EU best practices to develop a sustainable business environment and support the circular economy.

IBCM Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Gjokaj participated in the workshop, providing an overview of the Jean Monnet module “Best European Practices in Environment and Agriculture.” He also discussed his subject, “Agri-Environmental Economics and Sustainable Growth: EU Practice,” sharing his expertise on how agri-environmental policies and sustainable growth strategies from the EU can be applied in the Western Balkans. His contribution added significant value to the workshop, and it highlighted the importance of integrating EU practices to achieve sustainable development in Kosovo and the region.

IBC-M College Director and Jean Monnet Professor Mihone Kerolli participated in the 2023 EAIE Conference

IBC-M College Director and Jean Monnet Professor participated in one of the biggest events organised by the European Association for International Education (EAIE) in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Around 241 exhibitors and thousands of professionals from around the world participated in the event to strengthen connections and forge new partnerships with higher education colleagues from all over the world. Professor Kerolli used the two days of workshops to build skills, reunite with friends and colleagues, and establish exchange partnerships that will provide more possibilities for IBC-M staff and students for mobility and capacity building.

THE IMPACT OF HEAVY METALS ON THE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT: A SPECIAL EDITION ISSUE OF OPEN ACCESS JOURNAL “SUSTAINABILITY”

Environmental sustainability is a crucial aspect of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the planet for future generations. The adverse effects of heavy metals on the environment and human health have gained significant attention. To explore deeper into this critical subject, the esteemed Jean Monnet professor, Dr. Mihone Kerolli Mustafa, has taken on the role of Guest Editor for an Open Access Journal “Sustainability by MDPI. Professor Mustafa Kerolli is pleased to announce a special edition issue that will focus on various topics related to the impact of heavy metals on the sustainable environment. The special edition aims to shed light on crucial aspects such as heavy metals’ mobility, pollution, health risks, prevention, remediation, monitoring, statistical modelling, circular economy, and cross-cutting aspects of sustainability.

This special edition of the “Sustainability” journal, guest-edited by Professor Mihone Kerolli Mustafa, promises to be a significant platform for disseminating knowledge and promoting research on the impact of heavy metals on the sustainable environment, and contribute to the global efforts towards a cleaner and more sustainable future by addressing key topics related to heavy metal pollution. Prof. Dr. Mihone Kerolli Mustafa invites researchers, scientists, and experts to contribute their relevant manuscripts to this Special Issue. Both original research papers and reviews are welcome, providing an opportunity for scholars to share their insights, findings, and innovations in the field of heavy metal pollution and sustainability. The deadline for submission is 30 March 2024.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION INFO SESSION (JEAN MONNET MODULE)

An Info session was organized for all high school students who are interested in IBC-M study programs. The presentation was led by the Academic Director of IBC-M, Ph.D. Jelena Đokić, who focussed on environmental protection as part of her expertise, presenting also the ERASMUS + Jean Monnet project and talked about the challenges related to agroecological issues, protection of natural resources, and the environment in rural areas, as well as solving the problem of climate change through the achievement of sustainable and efficient land use, forest management and the introduction of new methods of agricultural production that will preserve the environment.

JEAN MONNET MODULE ENACT AT THE SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE “RESEARCHCULT” PROJECT

Within the framework of the project “Enhancing Research Culture in Higher Education in Kosovo (ResearchCult)”, supported by Erasmus +, with funds from the European Union, the “International Conference on New Achievements in Science, Technology and Arts” – ICNA-STA” was organized at the University of Pristina in May 2023. The conference is co-organized with a number of local and international universities and higher education institutions. It intends to bring together the international and Kosovo academic staff, researchers, students, businesses and other local and international stakeholders aiming to share their scientific experiences, best practices and steer up cooperation in related fields. In addition, the conference attempts to create a friendly environment where multinational researchers’ community arrays from different fields can use interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to link the research with economic development. Dr. Mihone Kerolli-Mustafa, as the Jean Monnet professor, was talking at the Conference about innovative curricula under Jean Monnet and demonstrators used on climate change and citizen science approach.

WORKSHOP I: STUDENTS’ CONFERENCE IN TIRANA -“GREEN TRANSITION IN ALBANIA, THE ROAD TO SUSTAINABILITY”

On 27 and 28 April, IBC-M Jean Monnet Professor and College Director Dr. Mihone Kerolli Mustafa was part of Earth Week activities at POLIS University in Albania.

The first day was dedicated to the Environmental Students Conference “Green Transition for Albania, the Road to Sustainability” where students presented their work tackling interesting topics such as climate change, green transition, the state of agriculture, and future alternatives.

The conference was followed by the workshop on “Product End of Life Management” held by Jean Monnet Professor Dr. Mihone Kerolli Mustafa with the students of Polis University and International Business College Mitrovica (IBC-M). Participants had a chance to learn more about the management of products and materials at the end of life, including the process of product reuse, recycling, and other choices that are affected greatly by the new recovery technologies, and the economic and environmental perspective of impact on sustainable development.

WORKSHOP IN BRUSSELS

The STAND (Strengthening university autonomy and increasing accountability and transparency of Western Balkans Universities) workshop, centered around the theme of autonomy and institutional empowerment, took place at the European University Association (EUA) offices in Brussels in March 2023. The workshop featured presentations and discussions to enhance participants’ collaboration and knowledge sharing on institutional empowerment, leadership, and open science in Western Balkans and European policy. The workshop concluded with a presentation on Open Science in the Western Balkans and European policy by Dr. Mihone Kerolli-Mustafa, emphasizing the importance of sharing the results of publicly funded scientific research, data, and publications, making them freely accessible to all interested parties. A special focus was given to the ENACT module, its concept and structure, courses within the module, organized activities and forums, etc. Participants had the opportunity to present their action plans, share ideas, and engage in discussions to enhance autonomy and empowerment in their respective institutions.

 

HOCHSCHULE GEISENHEIM UNIVERSITY HOSTED THE JEAN MONNET’S PROFESSOR

Jean Monnet’s professor Dr. Mihone Kerolli-Mustafa participated in the exchange visit to Hochschule Geisenheim University (HGU) in Germany in December 2022. This visit was enabled through ERASMUS+ mobility for teaching staff and was a continuation of successful cooperation with the IBC-M partner. Dr. Kerolli-Mustafa had the opportunity to conduct lectures and share her vast expertise in the area of project management and environmental protection with HGU students and staff, as well as to meet the relevant head of departments and had productive meetings at HGU, visit the campuses, etc. Valuable experience and best practices in environment and agriculture were shared, with modern and innovative approaches. This visit was a great chance to explore possibilities on how the cooperation between institutions can be expanded in the future with new business models.

ROUNDTABLE DISSCUSSION AT THE NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS

International Business College Mitrovica staff, represented by the College director Dr. Mihone Kerolli-Mustafa and Academic director Dr. Jelena Djokic, as the core Jean Monnet professors, took part in a two-day workshop at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in Greece. The event was held in November 2022 as part of the Erasmus+ project IDEA – Inclusive Tertiary Education in the Western Balkans.

The purpose of the two-day workshop was for partners involved to share their views on the state of play of the project, ways to integrate accessibility into educational practice, ensuring that direct engagement of students and staff in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating accessibility units in each of the respective institutions involved in the project. Dr. Kerolli-Mustafa and Dr. Djokic actively supported and participated in all steps of the planning process by suggesting a realistic timeline for all partners involved, providing valuable input related to the Jean Monnet module “Best European Practices in Environment and Agriculture (ENACT)”. The module has been introduced through roundtable debates.