Closing the International Summer Academy of Psychology and the Counseling Center for Students

25/07/2022

The International Summer Academy organized by the Counseling Center for Students and the Faculty of Psychology at UBT successfully concluded this year’s edition within the framework of the ‘Global UBT Fest 2022,’ where various activities were held on the main theme: ‘Emotional Intelligence.’

As part of the diverse activities in this academy, the head of the Counseling Center for Students, Vjollca Pllana Shahini, gave an introduction to the concept of Emotional Intelligence, while UBT Psychology professor Egla Kraja Bardhi conducted an interactive lecture on the genetic basis of Emotional Intelligence.

The academy also addressed the five main pillars of Emotional Intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, social skills, and empathy, presented by professors Violeta Zefi and Denis Celcima, with participants from the International Career Academy joining.

Psychology professor Fatbardha Qehaja Osmani provided participants with insights into the risk and protective factors of Emotional Intelligence, and a visit to Taukbahqe Park in Pristina was organized. Here, psychologist Vjollca Pllana Shahini demonstrated to participants the positive role that nature plays in mental health hygiene and Emotional Intelligence.

Through a direct session with the participants in the form of group therapy and workshops, participants practiced breathing exercises, therapeutic walks, sensory stimulation, reflection, and relaxation in nature. These exercises aimed to develop and enhance Emotional Intelligence with its five elements: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, sensitivity, and social skills.

During this academy, the WLF project – Work Life Flow, in which UBT is a partner, was presented. This project aims at fostering a positive Work-Life-Flow (WLF) in post-Corona legacy arising from remote working and social distancing. WLF refers to the dynamic equilibrium between an individual’s professional and social role