15.10.2015

Request for Offers: Web Site and Equipment for STIKK Education

STIKK is interested in offers for the development of a web site and purchase of equipment to be used for STIKK Education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the request for offers can be found here: stikk.education/faq.

Offer for the development of the STIKK Education Web Site
Those interested can send their offers to the above stated physical address or electronically to [email protected], with the title:

“STIKK Education – Offer for Web Site”
Offer must be sent until the: 30.10.2015
Preferred date for the work completion is: 30.12.2015
The offer should include payment conditions, as well as the price without the VAT.

Web Site specifications:

Build the website based on a Content Management System (e.g. WordPress);
Build a Learning Management System for Students, Teachers and the administration to use (Should include these pages: Profile, Transcript, Schedule, Notifications, but should not be limited to only these pages);
Selection Management System for participants and trainees to apply and be selected upon;
Solutions for Seminars/Webinars;
Build the website based on the guidelines provided by the STIKK Education brand book;
Hosting of the Web and Maintenance.

Additional Specifications can found in Ofertë për Ueb Faqe – ANNEX 1:
https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/STIKK_Education_-_Oferte_per_Ueb_Faqe.pdf
https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/STIKK_Education_-_Oferte_per_Ueb_Faqe_-_ANNEX_1.pdf

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Offer for Equipment – 01
Those interested can send their offers to the above stated physical address or electronically to [email protected], with the title:

“STIKK Education – Offer for Equipment 01”
Offer must be sent until the: 30.10.2015
Preferred date for the work completion is: 15.12.2015
The offer should include payment conditions, as well as the price without the VAT and the Customs tax (if applicable).

Equipment specifications:

– 15 Windows laptops;
– 15 Macintosh laptops;
– 1 Smartboard projector;
– 15 Working Stations.

Additional Specifications can found in Ofertë për Pajisje 01 – ANNEX 1:
https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/STIKK_Education_-_Oferte_per_Pajisje_01.pdf
https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/STIKK_Education_-_Oferte_per_Pajisje_01_-_ANNEX_1.pdf

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Offer for Equipment – 02
Those interested can send their offers to the above stated physical address or electronically to [email protected], with the title:

“STIKK Education – Offer for Equipment 02”
Offer must be sent until the: 30.10.2015
Preferred date for the work completion is: 15.12.2015
The offer should include payment conditions, as well as the price with the VAT and the Customs tax (if applicable).

Equipment specifications:

– 15 Android Mobile Devices;
– 15 iOS Mobile Devices.

Additional Specifications can found in Ofertë për Pajisje 02 – ANNEX 1:
https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/STIKK_Education_-_Oferte_per_Pajisje_02.pdf
https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/STIKK_Education_-_Oferte_per_Pajisje_02_-_ANNEX_1.pdf

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22.09.2015

New fiscal package makes the ICT sector more competitive in the region

After two successful years of advocating and lobbying by STIKK, and the dedication of the Government to treat the ICT sector with priority, the Tax Administration of Kosovo issued an Administrative Instruction with which ICT equipment will have a reduced VAT rate of 8%.

The law no. 05/l-037 for Value Added Tax, Article 26, point 2, points out that the Information Technology equipment are included in the essential product list which have a lower VAT. Implementation of new law begins today, on 1st of September, 2015. Furthermore, the same equipment will be exempt from VAT on import.

The law no. 05/l-037 for Value Added Tax can be found here: http://www.stikk-ks.org/fileadmin/PDF/LAW_NO._05_L-037_ON_VALUE_ADDED_TAX___ANNEX.pdf

Administrative Instruction with the complete list of ICT equipment with e reduced VAT rate can be found here: http://www.atk-ks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1642-MF_KM-U.A-Nr.03-2015-per-zbatimine-Ligjit-Nr.05-L-037-per-tatimin-mbi-vleren-e-shtuar.pdf (Albanian Only)

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19.08.2015

STIKK and USAID’s EMPOWER Private Sector signed a grant agreement to support STIKK Education

Pristina – Today, the Kosovo Association of Information and Communications Technology (STIKK) and USAID’s EMPOWER Private Sector signed a grant agreement that will support a training and internship in ICT program for youth.

“In 2014, STIKK published a report on ICT Sector Skills Gap Analysis, which highlighted that there is a strong domestic market and export market demand for ICT service providers,” says Vjollca Çavolli, STIKK Executive Director. “However, there is a major obstacle to realizing this opportunity: lack of educated professionals in Kosovo in a range of ICT profiles, such as software programming and coding, even ICT business administration and marketing. This puts Kosovo service providers at a competitive disadvantage, especially in getting outsourcing jobs from EU buyers.”

This training and internship program to be launched by STIKK as part of its STIKK Education consists of two 6-month training cycles to take place in 2015 – 2016. The program covers software and mobile applications programming that complies with the European e-Competence Framework 3.0, which ensures international standards and certification for defined ICT skills profiles.

The program targets unemployed youth interested in pursuing careers in ICT. Therefore, the training participants will be linked with companies in Kosovo that will provide internship opportunities and subsequently job placements for them.

The activity is co-funded by USAID’s EMPOWER Private Sector, the Norwegian Embassy, and GIZ. It is expected that as a result of the training, 70 new jobs will be created, and the program will support the STIKK Education to achieve sustainability.

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14.07.2015

IT Barometer Kosovo – 2015

Following the trend created last year, the IT Industry Barometer (ITIB) has been prepared for Kosovo this year as well.

40 Kosovo companies have completed the questionnaire containing 36 questions divided into six sections:

– General Information;
– Export Related Questions;
– Statistics;
– Human Resources;
– Forecast;
– Current Issues and Remarks, Comments.

STIKK, together with five other regional ICT associations (AITA, BIT Alliance, STIKK, MASIT, IT Cluster, ICT Network), with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), have prepared this research titled “South-East Europe IT Barometer”. The goal of this survey is to gather relevant information on the SEE regional software / IT services industry in order to develop an export planning as well as support measures to promote regional exports.

Participants of this survey helped in creating an IT profile for Kosovo, offering information of the domestic and regional market, and strengthening regional cooperation.

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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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30.05.2015

Promoting Youth Employment through Social Partnerships and Cooperation

On 30 May in Mitrovica, PIPS organised a seminar about the project “Promoting Youth Employment through Social Partnerships and Cooperation was held”.

This project aims at facilitating cooperation between local self-governments, business community, education providers and civil society organizations from 6 towns/municipalities in resolving the issue of youth unemployment through exchanging innovative ideas and best practices, as well as engaging in social dialogue and networking at the level of local communities. Municipalities and towns participating in the project are: Nis, Leskovac, Vranje, Mitrovica, Peja and Prizren.

In this seminar presentations of local initiatives, cooperation, and examples of best practice were presented, where participating was also STIKK. Mr. Lorik Mullaademi, Project Manager at STIKK discussed about the practices, achievements and initiatives of the association. For more, find the link to the presentation.

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29.05.2015

TAIEX Expert Mission on Information Society Statistics

On 26 May, under the patronage of the Ministry of Economic Development and the help of the TAIEX Expert Mission, a three-day workshop on the topic of Information Society Statistics has been organised.

The aim of this expert mission was to support the beneficiary in the creation of a statistical system aligned with European and EUROSTAT standards to produce accurate information and communication technology statistics.

The first day summarized topics about EU Legislation concerning Community Statistics on Information Society, the second day was about ICT Statistics for Enterprises and the third day was about ICT Statistics for Households.

In this event, also the working group was formed consisting of STIKK, MED, MPA, Kosovo Statistic Agency and ARKEP, which will responsible for the conception of the survey in the future.

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