UBT Strengthens International Cooperation with the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar Through the Erasmus+ Programme

26/07/2026

As part of UBT’s strategy to internationalize higher education and expand strategic partnerships with prestigious European institutions, a UBT delegation, led by the Rector, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi, and comprising Prof. Dr. Artan Tahiri, Director Fisnete Hajrizi, Deputy Director of UBT International Smart Schools Shqipe Agushi, and Director of Infrastructure Murat Retkoceri, paid an official visit to the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (Instituto Politécnico de Tomar) in Portugal under the Erasmus+ programme.

The delegation was welcomed by the President of the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Prof. João Freitas Coroado, with whom they held a high-level meeting. They also met with Vice Presidents Prof. Natércia Santos and Prof. Célio Gonçalo Marques, vice-rectors, deans, the Head of the International Cooperation Office MSc. Maria Catroga, and representatives of the institution’s research and innovation centers.

During the meetings, both institutions discussed opportunities to expand and strengthen inter-institutional cooperation, focusing on the development of joint study programmes and dual-degree initiatives, increased student and academic staff mobility, participation in international projects and initiatives, and active engagement within the KreativEU European University Alliance. Particular attention was also given to exchanging best practices in innovative teaching methodologies, the digital transformation of education, scientific research, and innovation.

During the visit, UBT Rector Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi presented UBT’s 25-year journey, highlighting its development as one of the leading higher education institutions in the region. He introduced the unique UBT Smart City model, which integrates education, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship within a modern university ecosystem, as well as the Center of Excellence for Education, which promotes contemporary teaching practices, professional development, and scientific research.

The leadership of the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, in turn, presented the institution’s academic structure, research capacities, state-of-the-art laboratories, and collaborative projects carried out with European partners, expressing their commitment to expanding cooperation with UBT in areas of mutual interest.

The UBT delegation also had the opportunity to tour the institution’s modern infrastructure, laboratories, and research and innovation centers, gaining firsthand insight into best practices in higher education, technology, and knowledge transfer.

As part of the visit programme, the delegation also explored some of Portugal’s most significant cultural and historical landmarks, including the Convent of Christ in Tomar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the historic university city of Coimbra, renowned for its centuries-old academic tradition and exceptional cultural heritage.

At the conclusion of the visit, UBT Rector Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi extended an official invitation to the President of the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Prof. João Freitas Coroado, and his colleagues to pay a reciprocal visit to Kosovo during the international academic events and activities that UBT will host later this year. The visit is expected to represent an important step toward implementing joint initiatives and expanding cooperation in education, research, innovation, and international development.

This visit reaffirms UBT’s commitment to building and strengthening sustainable partnerships with prestigious European institutions, creating new opportunities for students, academic staff, and the scientific community, while further enhancing UBT’s position within the European Higher Education Area in education, scientific research, and innovation.