Experts and Students Join Forces for a Successful Summer Academy on Entrepreneurship at UBT

15/07/2025

With a series of events and numerous activities, the Summer Academy for Entrepreneurship and Innovation officially kicked off—an initiative designed to empower students with knowledge and practical skills in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The official opening of the academy was led by Prof. Kestrim Avdimetaj, who emphasized the importance of preparing young people for the challenges of an increasingly dynamic and uncertain market. This academy includes carefully structured modules that combine academic and professional lectures with industry visits, offering a rich and comprehensive experience.

As part of the academy, Dr. Syed Asif Mehdi from Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University in India delivered a lecture on the role and importance of building innovative enterprises—from idea to impact. He shared practical experiences and successful strategies for creating ventures that are not only profitable but also address real-world challenges, contribute to improving people’s lives, and stimulate economic growth.

Meanwhile, Prof. Gonxhe Beqiri focused on the importance of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and its connection to business marketing. Several Kosovar brands were analyzed in relation to SEO marketing, examining which platforms and data should be leveraged to target potential consumers, generate more organic traffic, and how effectively they are using keywords.

Prof. Engelbert Zefaj’s lecture focused on Total Quality Management (TQM) and the implementation of this philosophy in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He concentrated on the core principles of TQM and the tools and techniques needed for its successful application in a business. In addition to theoretical presentations, he demonstrated the use of Pareto Analysis 80/20, identifying key problems within a business that hinder the achievement of full production quality.

The Summer Academy continued with a thematic lecture titled “Social Entrepreneurship”, led by Prof. Ermira Shehu. Participants were presented with an in-depth and practical overview of social entrepreneurship as a business model that goes beyond profit and aims to create a lasting impact in the community. At its core lie innovation, social purpose, and sustainability.

From the industry side, Lavdim Beqiri addressed the impact of technology and innovation on business development in Kosovo through a case study on Dukagjini Group. Meanwhile, Driton Rrahmani from Elkos Group provided a practical analysis of distribution and supply chain operations, as well as the impact of technology on these processes.