UBT and Italy join forces for innovation and economic development – opens “Hub Revolution Your Start Up” Center

30/10/2024

In the Smart City of UBT in Lipjan, the inauguration of the Office “Hub Revolution Your Start Up”. This event represented an important step in supporting and developing innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in the region, creating an inspiring environment for young people and professionals who want to realize their ideas and build the future.

The inauguration aimed not only to promote the vision of The Revolution Your Start Up Hub as an innovation and professional development center, but also to foster dialogue between the academic and business worlds. This is an opportunity to create bridges of cooperation that will enable the transfer of knowledge, resources and skills between these two sectors.

The Ambassador of Italy to Kosovo, Antonello De Riu, praised the initiative for the establishment of this center, while underlining that through this project, innovation and entrepreneurship in the region will be strengthened, bringing a more developed and sound future.

“The city has a new population and important sectors for development. UBT has enough capacity to educate at this level,” de Riu said. He also noted the contribution of the diaspora, which has brought development and valuable experiences to the country.

The Ambassador stressed that some organizations are ready to help develop start-ups and that it is important to seek development through new innovations and grants from the Government. He also cited the importance of sectors like agribusiness and renewable energy, providing solutions for entrepreneurship.

At the end, Ambassador De Riu expressed confidence that this UBT center will create new opportunities for Kosovo and advocate for start-ups in the European Union. This initiative has the potential to transform the economic landscape of the region and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship at every level.

The Rector of UBT, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi, stressed the importance of the inauguration of the Office “Hub Revolution Your Start Up” by expressing that “this is an important event because we create a new point in Kosovo, where we want to strengthen cooperation with Italy”. He stressed that UBT has built an innovative ecosystem with an excellent physical and academic space, along with additional infrastructure that supports these partnerships.

Rector Hajrizi went on to stress that “the idea we have is that there is still room to support this cooperation and increase competence in generating links with funds for development”. He stressed that the joining forces will create a revolutionary center, arguing that it is an important opportunity to advance further.

He also highlighted the increased cooperation with Italian institutions, citing joint diplomas and various mobility that have contributed to the rise of cooperation with Italian industry. “We have managed to make Italian language the official language at UBT, turning our institution into a proactive center for business connections,” he concluded, expressing optimism for the future of cooperation with Italy.

Massimiliano Adilardi from d’Impresa, stressed that “the perspective of entrepreneurship in Kosovo is very important and every entrepreneur should consider this opportunity”. He noted that there are many capacities in young students and expressed the desire to contribute in this aspect.

Adilardi, with 40 years of experience as an expert in fiscal policy, expressed his commitment to providing assistance to capacities found in Kosovo. “We will use this as a point of support for UBT and we will convey this support to students, while also promoting Eurokosovar cooperation,” he added.

He concluded with a call for all to engage in the development of democracy and economy in Kosovo, stressing the importance of this commitment for the future of the country.

Flavio Boccia from Flavio Boccia & Partners, stressed the importance of international cooperation in the new project, thanking all partners who have contributed with their presence. “We are here to become an engine of mediating European funds and to develop the map of the balkans,” he said. He emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting economic development in the region.

Paolo Stern, a representative of Nexumstp – Your Next Step from Rome, highlighted the important role of the business in this process. “It’s important for businesses to be creative and explore their interests,” he said. “We provide assistance to all our members and will engage our experts to focus on Kosovo’s economic development, by cooperating with our partners.” He also stressed the importance of providing training to students, stressing that “we must work together to contribute to Europe, taking into account Kosovo as well”.

The event, which was moderated by the well-known journalist Artur Nura, also attended other prominent personalities from the field of politics, business and economics, among others spoke the former Mayor of Presevo, now deputy mayor of this Municipality, Professor Ragmi Mustafa, Chairman of the Global Network of Albanian Diaspora Businesses, Omer Nura, Chairman of the Albanian Business Network in Presevo, Bujanoc and Medvedja, Xhelal Mehmeti, as well as Francesca Mondello from ICE – Italian Trade Agency.

Also at this event, General Giuseppe Morabito, who discussed the importance of youth in Kosovo and the role of UBT in support of it. He stressed that youth constitutes a great potential for the country’s development and that universities such as UBT play a key role in shaping future leaders.