25.06.2015

National ICT Day 2015

The 7th Edition of the National ICT Day was held on the 25th of June in Durres, Albania. Over 30 representatives of the ICT sector including companies from Kosovo and Albania met with the goal of identifying different ways of cooperation, strengthening and creation of a nationwide professional network in the field of ICT.

Mr. Dritan Mezini, Executive Director of AITA, as the host of the event welcomed the participants to the event. Ms. Vjollca Çavolli, Executive Director of STIKK, also had the pleasure to welcome participants and describing how the traditional meetings between Kosovar and Albanian ICT sectors have deepened cooperation.

The audience had an opportunity to listen to the presentation of Kosovo IT Barometer by Mr. Bardh Kadiu, STIKK Program Coordinator. Following the presentations the participants had an opportunity to contribute to the open discussion regarding the difficulties occurred in terms of cooperation between the two countries. The companies continued to exchange their experience and their knowledge during the cocktail which was also planned as a networking event.

The attending companies highly valued the need to further continue the cooperation in order to overcome the identified barriers and creation of a more favourable environment for doing business.

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11.06.2015

Conference “Prishtina – An Unused Chance for Development”

Innovation Centre Kosovo had the pleasure to host the conference which dealt with the socio-economic situation in Prishtina and its effects. Prishtina REA, the organiser of this conference, prepared a presentation of the Prishtina Economic Development Platform, which offers solutions and models for Prishtina in order to progress, to develop, to offer opportunities for investments, work, education, professional advancement, a secure life, and turning Prishtina into a real Metropolitan Capital.

Representatives from different institutions participated as panelists, such as Mr. Dardan Sejdiu, Vice President of the Prishtina Municipality, Mrs. Besa Zogaj, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economic Development, Mr. Ferat Shala, Deputy Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Mrs. Vjollca Çavolli, Executive Director of the Kosovo ICT Association-STIKK, and Mr. Skender Krasniqi, Vice President of the Kosovo Business Alliance.

“For the first time Kosovo will have a National Development Strategy that is initiated by the Government, which will include national strategic priorities. Those will assist as guideline through measures and actions which will be taken by the respective institutions in order to establish development”, said Mrs. Besa Zogaj from the MED.

Find out more about the National Development Strategy here: http://mzhe.rks-gov.net/?page=2,42,1030

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11.06.2015

ICT Event in Tirana on July 11

On behalf of our partner organization, TURN8, we would like to invite you to an exclusive event for start-up entrepreneurs and innovators. Join us on for Innov-a-thon, a one-day idea pitching event to qualify innovative start-ups and technologies for funding, support and participation in the new TURN8 seed accelerator.

At Innov-a-thon, you will have the opportunity to:

Pitch an idea for one of the TURN8 themesMeet and connect with other creative geniusesForm a team and work together to refine your ideaPitch again at the end to qualify for TURN8 seed accelerator in Dubai

DATE: July 11, 2015
TIME: 10.30AM – 6.00PM
VENUE: Epoka University, Autostrada Tirane-Rinas, km. 12, 1000, Albania

Themes: What type of ideas?

– Web or mobile applications
– e-commerce portals
– Arabic content advancements
– Education and e-learning enhancements
– Sustainable living technologies
– Crowdsourced services
– Social networking innovations
– Healthcare technologies

Learn more about TURN8.
Register for Innov-a-thon here!
For questions or to register by phone, call +9714-319-7645.
Email the TURN8 Innov-a-thon team.
Can’t make it to an Innov-a-thon? You can pitch online!

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03.06.2015

Seminar “International Software Engineering: A Case Study of the Honeywell Experience”

On 3 June, USAID, in cooperation with the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering (FECE – UP) and STIKK, organised a seminar on the topic of International Software Engineering.

Prof. Ronalds Birks from Honeywell, and Prof. Shahin Berisha, Software Engineer from the Arizona State University shared their experiences. Globalisation pushed Honeywell from USA to outsource to India, China, Russia and Mexico. Prof. Birks, after working one year in Russia, more than four years in India, and more than five in France, explained how companies which have offices in many different countries in the world are functioning. The company starts working on the project in the USA, in the afternoon the concept is developed in the Czech Republic, the development continues in India, and then goes back to the USA for testing. This efficiency has been developed through years of experience and cooperation, especially with Universities for adjustment of the curriculum with the needs of the labour market.

But success is not the only thing International Software Engineering brings. Besides the language difference and the time zones, a small possibility for face-to-face meetings and difficult process cooperation are challenges that these multi-national projects face. When focusing on Kosovo, Prof. Birks highly valued the level of English and German language knowledge, the geographic position, and the young age of potential employees in the ICT sector.

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