On 25th of September, “Pjetër Budi” College held the Final Conference in the frame of the project “Increasing graduates’ capacities for smooth transfer to labor market in the field of Customs and Freight Forwarding industry”. This project is financed by The U.S. Embassy in Pristina, administered by KUSA, and implemented by Pjeter Budi College.
The Rector of “Pjetër Budi” College, Prof. Dr. Asoc. Sabri Klaiqi, officially announced the opening of the concluding conference for this project.
Vice-Rector of “Pjetër Budi” College, Ms. Luljeta Aliu Mulaj, expressed her gratitude to the attendees for their active participation in this important event and also contribution throughout the project implementation period to support on the achievement of project objectives. She emphasized that this project has been a significant step toward improving the quality of education and strengthening the capacities of students in the field of customs and freight forwarding.
In her presentation, Vice-Rector Aliu Mulaj presented the project’s achievements, including the revision of the study program in Customs and Freight Forwarding. She also highlighted that this project has contributed to preparing students for a successful future in the labor market within the customs and freight forwarding field.
Dr. Gokcen Ogruk-Maz, a professor at Texas Wesleyan University, USA, involved as international expert in project, presented the U.S and her university’s practices and experiences, highlighting the importance of linking higher education institutions with the economy. She also shared concrete experiences applied at the university where she teaches.
Meanwhile, Ms. Merita Koliqi, Head of the Human Resources Department at the Customs of Kosovo, in her speech emphasized that academic institutions and stakeholders need to collaborate to ensure that the curriculum is up-to-date and aligned with the industry’s needs. This includes practical knowledge, international trade regulations, and digitalization, as the customs and freight forwarding industries are becoming increasingly digital, requiring graduates to adapt to new technologies.
Prof. Jeton Vokshi, Chairman of the Kosovo Freight Forwarders Association, added that the Kosovo market needs professionals, given that there are currently about 350 Freight Forwarding Agencies and hundreds of transport companies operating in Kosovo. He also emphasized that the staff involved in cargo control should have high-level professional training.
Prof. Asoc. Dr. But Dedaj, former dean at the University of Pristina, professor, and higher education expert in Kosovo, emphasized the crucial role of increasing educational capacities. He presented examples of job demands compared to market offerings and skill mismatch in Kosovo and region.
The conference has been of great importance in addressing the challenges and opportunities in the field of customs and freight forwarding, emphasizing the need for close collaboration between the academic sector and the industry to prepare students for the challenges of the labor market.
