Historic: UBT Brings the European Quality Congress to Kosovo for the First Time
22/10/2026For the first time, Kosovo is hosting one of the major events of the European quality community, placing UBT’s Science, Innovation and Technology Park at the center of an important international gathering focused on expertise, innovation, and a vision for the future.
With the official opening of the 67th Congress of the European Organization for Quality (EOQ), UBT marks an important milestone for Kosovo and its European cooperation.
The Congress was officially opened by UBT President and Rector, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi, who is also President of Quality Kosova and Vice President of the European Organization for Quality (EOQ). He emphasized that, in the modern era, quality must go beyond the traditional concept of standards and certifications, becoming a strategic force for development, innovation, and social transformation.
“Quality can no longer be understood simply as compliance with standards, procedures, or certification requirements. Quality must become a strategic capability. Moreover, quality must remain deeply connected to human values, because technological progress without trust is fragile, and innovation without responsibility is incomplete,” Rector Hajrizi emphasized.
Highlighting the historic importance of hosting this event for Kosovo and UBT, Rector Hajrizi pointed out that hosting the EOQ Congress in Kosovo for the first time represents a significant step toward strengthening ties with the European and international quality community, as well as an opportunity to showcase the country’s potential on the international stage.
“For Kosovo, hosting the EOQ Congress for the first time is particularly meaningful. It represents an opportunity to connect our institutions, professionals, and young people more closely with the European and international quality community, while presenting an ambitious, outward-looking Kosovo that is committed to innovation and European cooperation,” Rector Hajrizi stated.
In this spirit, the Congress serves as an important platform for bringing together academic expertise, professional experience, and institutional vision, creating new opportunities for cooperation, the exchange of best practices, and the advancement of quality standards in Kosovo and beyond.
At the official opening of the Congress, EOQ President Prof. Dr. Paulo Sampaio also delivered a speech. He placed the event in the context of the EOQ’s 70th anniversary, emphasizing that this anniversary celebrates not only a long history of leadership in the field of quality but also serves as a call for collective commitment to the future.
“It is a pleasure to join you here on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the European Organization for Quality and to congratulate both the organization and UBT for bringing us together at this timely and important event. This anniversary celebrates seven decades of leadership in quality, but it is also a call to action for Europe and for Kosovo,” Prof. Dr. Paulo Sampaio emphasized.
Speaking about the role people play in developing organizations and creating lasting value, the EOQ President underlined that success cannot be built on strategies and plans alone, but also requires strong relationships, trust, and shared commitment.
“The greatest asset of an organization lies in its people, in its members. No strategy can be implemented without people, and no organization can create long-term value without relationships,” Sampaio stated.
He also emphasized that the future of organizations and institutions depends on their ability to cooperate and build a shared vision.
“The future will not be determined by what a president, a board, or a single organization can achieve, but by what can be accomplished collectively through trust and a shared purpose,” the EOQ President declared.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Jeton Mehmeti, Deputy Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation in the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. He highlighted the importance of the 67th EOQ Congress for developing a culture of quality in Kosovo, increasing business competitiveness, and strengthening the integration of Kosovan businesses into European and international markets.
“For us, quality is not simply about implementing standards or meeting technical requirements. It is a vital element of consumer trust, a prerequisite for fair competition, a driver of innovation, and an important factor in integrating our businesses into the European and international markets,” Mehmeti stated.
Boguslaw Gertruda, Head of the Political, Economic and European Integration Section at the European Union Office in Kosovo, spoke about the strategic importance of quality in Kosovo’s European integration process. He emphasized its role in strengthening institutions, increasing competitiveness, and building public trust.
“For Kosovo, this message is particularly important as the country progresses along its European path. Convergence with the European Union is about embedding a culture of quality in governance, education and skills, industrial performance, healthcare systems, the functioning of rules-based markets, and the credibility of public institutions. Quality helps turn reforms into results and ambition into trust,” Gertruda emphasized.
Meanwhile, Irfan Lipovica, Director General of the Kosovo General Directorate of Accreditation, spoke about the importance of accreditation and improving quality infrastructure. He highlighted the need to align with European and international standards, as well as to strengthen confidence in products and services.
“Through accreditation and the reliability of results, consumer protection and trust in products and services are strengthened. For the Kosovo General Directorate of Accreditation, improving quality infrastructure, aligning with European and international standards, and achieving international recognition of conformity assessment results are very important priorities,” Lipovica stated.
The 67th EOQ Congress marks a particularly important milestone in positioning Kosovo within European discussions on quality, standardization, accreditation, and innovation. Through this event, UBT is creating a shared space for dialogue between academia, public institutions, and the international professional community, bringing Kosovo to the center of an exchange of ideas and experiences aimed at continuously improving management systems and advancing professional standards.
By organizing this Congress, UBT demonstrates its role as an institution that builds bridges of international cooperation and opens new horizons for Kosovo’s academic, professional, and technological development.
The event represents more than just a gathering of experts. It is a platform where the European vision for quality meets Kosovo’s potential, creating opportunities for new partnerships, knowledge exchange, and greater participation in international networks of expertise.
The Congress sessions will continue today and tomorrow, with international experts presenting on a variety of topics.