Kosovo Research and Education Network (KREN) launched at official inauguration event

On the 6^th of November 2022, KREN – the Kosovo Research and Education Network – was officially inaugurated at the Innovation and Training Park in Prizren, and at the presence of the Prime Minister of Kosovo*, of Ministers of Economy and of Education, Science and Technology, parliament members, representatives of the World Bank and university officials.

The event marked the formal start of the work of KREN in its new and modern facilities and it was chaired by Mrs. Fjolla Restelica Ahmeti, coordinator of the Kosovo Digital Economy (KODE) Project.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Prime Minister, Mr. Albin Kurti stressed the important role that KREN plays in the digitalization of the country, one of the strategic objectives of his government. KREN is the key enabler for improvement of research and education in Kosovo*, and as part of GÉANT, it is a bridge for international collaboration.

Mrs. Artane Rizvanolli, Minister for Economy, focused in her speech on the infrastructure that KREN will offer as a support for the members of the R&E community. In particular, KREN will provide students, professors and researchers with a variety of new tools and services, processing power, storage, and virtual laboratories in many areas such as agriculture and medicine.

Mrs. Arbërie Nagavci, Minister for Education, Science and Technology underlined the importance of KREN in the context of the recently adopted strategy for education 2022-2026, with a budgetary increase of 81% compared to the previous strategy. Services offered by KREN will enable over 85.000 staff and students at Kosovar universities to exchange knowledge and collaborate both nationally and internationally.

Mr. Massimiliano Paolucci, World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo and for North Macedonia spoke about the support that the World Bank has given to the KODE project, the key infrastructural project which enabled the establishment of KREN.

Finally, we also heard a word from a representative of the R&E community, Prof. Zirie Hasani, Vice Rector for Teaching, Student Affairs and Scientific Research at the University of Prizren, who highlighted the importance of the establishment of KREN from the point of the end-users, the universities and the opportunities that this will bring to the students and the staff of all Kosovar universities.

Prof. Anastas Mishev from UKIM, as part of the GÉANT partner relations team, thanked the government officials, the representatives of the World Bank and the staff of KREN on behalf of GÉANT for recognizing the importance of the establishment of the latest Research and Education Network in Europe and for boldy pursing this idea which led to the inauguration. He introduced GÉANT as a true European value and welcomed once again KREN and the Kosovar R&E community to the great GÉANT community.

On behalf of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Kosovo, the KODE Project, the KREN network and myself I want to express our sincere thanks for the participation of Anastas Mishev in the inauguration of KREN and in particular for his concise speech and presentation on behalf of GÉANT. His participation brought significant added value for KREN and for the event. – Atif Basani, KREN coordinator.

Read more about the Kosovo Research and Education Network (KREN) on their website: https://kren-ks.eu

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.