29.10.2016

Alan Greenberg: I can fix technology. I cannot fix people.

Dafina Halili, Kosovo 2.0 (www.kosovotwopointzero.com) – edTech guru discusses how technology is shaping the future of learning.

“I don’t care about being liked. I want to be respected,” says Alan Greenberg, a world leader in education technology and innovation, as he explains what he calls the ‘Greenberg technique,’ to K2.0. Young developers and startups need to be able to explain their product in 30 seconds in order to grab his attention, otherwise he moves on. “If they aren’t able to explain in 30 seconds what they are doing and what it will change, it will fail.”

Greenberg was demonstrating his technique on participants in the Startup Fair at the fifth edition of the KOSICT Tech festival, which was held in Prishtina last week. The conference was organized by the Kosovo Association of Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) with support from Innovation Centre Kosovo (ICK) and Universum University College. It featured talks on a number of global trending topics in IT; from digital marketing to education technology and e-sports.

Greenberg, who managed Apple’s Higher Education business in Europe and Asia between 2004 and 2009, was one of the most prominent KOSICT speakers during the two-day conference, that gathered international speakers from the tech world. He is now an investor, consultant and sometime mentor to a number of tech companies from across the globe. His portfolio includes companies from New York to London to Beijing.

For over a decade, his focus has been on education technology. His presentation at KOSICT included an introduction to ed-tech apps that have already found a place in the classroom and new apps that are being developed with the aim of further revolutionizing digital learning. K2.0 caught up with him after this presentation to discuss how technology can improve education, how the Kosovo government can help tech companies, and the development of technology to help autistic children.

In order to read the full interview, please follow this link: http://kosovotwopointzero.com/en/alan-greenberg-i-can-fix-technology-i-cannot-fix-people/

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29.10.2016

Marcin Malinowski: Artificial intelligence is going to be a game changer for humankind

Dafina Halili, Kosovo 2.0 (www.kosovotwopointzero.com) – Google’s head of Global Partnerships for Eastern Europe talks AI, user privacy and how to get hired.

For many people, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is considered a distant science fiction seen in Hollywood movies such as Ex-Machina and Transcendent. But last month in front of a large audience in Prishtina, Google’s Marcin Malinowski pointed out how AI has not only been the focus of the tech world in recent times, but that within a couple of years it will be a game changer for humankind.

Talking about AI breakthroughs, Malinowski described how Google’s AI has learned to play the ancient Chinese game Go; famous for its boundless possibility of moves and the strategic thinking required to play it, Go is often considered to be more complex than chess. He highlighted that this Spring, Google’s AI managed to beat the Go world champion in what is considered to have been a historic Go battle and an ultimate victory for AI researchers.

Malinowski went on to discuss how AI can today reproduce the artworks of the greatest painters in the world. He explained how researchers from a German university developed an AI able to even understand the technique and brush strokes of painters; as a result deep learning algorithms recreated masterpieces by painters such as Van Gogh and Edvard Munch. “There is also a song performed by AI, which resembles Beatles’ music as I recall,” Malinowski told K2.0.

The endless possibilities of AI and data collection were the focus of his keynote speech during October’s fifth edition of the KOSICT Tech festival, organized by the Kosovo Association of Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) with support from Innovation Centre Kosovo (ICK) and Universum University College. Head of Google’s global partnerships for Eastern Europe, Warsaw-based Malinowski was one of the most prominent speakers at the conference, which featured talks on a number of global trending topics in IT; from digital marketing to education technology and e-sports.

K2.0 caught up with Milanowski after the conference to discuss what is required for young developers to be part of Google, his thoughts on where AI is heading and issues related to users’ privacy.

In order to read the full interview, please follow this link: http://kosovotwopointzero.com/en/marcin-malinowski-artificial-intelligence-going-game-changer-humankind/

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27.09.2016

Breakfast with STIKK member companies and member companies of the German-Kosovo Economic Chamber (OEGJK)

Today, on 27th of September 2016, the traditional breakfast meeting organized by STIKK in cooperation with OEGJK is happening.

The breakfast meeting with member companies of STIKK and member companies of OEGJK was opened by the Board President of STIKK – Mr. Mentor Sahiti and the Executive Director of OEGJK – Mr. Albert Matoshi.

Member companies of STIKK and member companies of OEGJK are participating at this meeting, where they are discussing topics related to potential collaborations and development of the IT sector.

In addition, member companies of STIKK are discussing about creation of more opportunities in exporting their services and creating a more suitable system in doing that. This system would positively impact the increase of efficiency because it would allow companies to have an automatic form through which companies would operate faster and be more accessible in the market.

Furthermore, it was emphasized that OEGJK will work on prioritizing the IT sector in order for the partnership to be more sustainable. This partnership will also enhance the creation of job opportunities, a factor which directly impacts the development of economy in general.

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26.09.2016

Second Steering Committee Meeting in Istog

The second Steering Committee Meeting of the EU financed project, “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”.

Today, on 26th of September 2016, the Steering Committee meeting is being held in CBC Innovation Hub in Istog, as part of the “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)” project, financed by EU, implemented from Kosovo ICT Association (STIKK) and Syri i Vizionit, in cooperation with Tourist Organization Berane and IT Cluster Montenegro.

Participants of the meetings are officials of the Municipality of Istog, representatives of the project from both sides of the cross-border region, Kosovo and Montengero.

This meeting is being directed by Mr. Lorik Mullaademi – Project Manager, who is explaining all the details of the work process and achievements until the actual stage and expected results until the end of the project.

As such, the first steps of the project are being discussed, where presentations at high schools of the Dukagjini region with the aim to inform students about the project’s objectives are mentioned; study visit at Val Di Fassa; activities of CBC Innovation Hub such as trainings and workshops in Istog and Berane, which prepares youth to contribute in developing tourism sector through the use of technology, and at the same time positively impact the development of economy.

In addition, during the meeting, all participants are discussing their opinions and ideas in regards to activities, which are focused in preparing youth to engage in developing the tourism sector on online platforms.

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07.09.2016

STIKK Education opens the application for the second generation!

The main goal of STIKK Education is to increase the capacities in the sector of ICT through professional and competent trainings, specifically designed to meet the needs of the local industry, while keeping on with international technology trends.

You can be part of STIKK Education by registering online @ stikk.education/register. Deadline for applying is March 31, 2016.

STIKK Education will implement 2 training cycles and other supplementary project activities as foreseen in the activity plan below in a 12-month period 2016-2017. Through the trainings, the young IT enthusiasts will gain specific skill-sets that are currently key on the local and European Union market by successfully mastering over curricula that are in full compliance with the European e-Competence Framework 3.0, which is an initiation of multi-stakeholders from the European ICT sector in order to identify and standardize skills that are currently needed in the market, and which has also been prioritized by the local ICT companies to implement.

During the second half of our training programme, 45 young IT enthusiasts will go through intensive training in these three profiles: IT Management, Mobile Development (iOS), and Software Engineering (Java). 3 months of internship will be provided to successful trainees at STIKK member companies, which will help them put to practice the newly acquired skills and showcase their skills to potential employers.

The total fee for attending one training profile is 200 EURO.

For further information, please refer to the Terms and Conditions: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Terms_and_Conditions_-_STIKK_Education.pdf

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22.08.2016

Training on “Digital Promotion Tools”

The first training of “Digital Promotion Tools” at CBC Innovation Hub in Istog, financed by EU, “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)” project.

At “Digital Promotion Tools” training, financed by EU, “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)” project, 27 youngsters of Dukagjini region are participating. They aim to collaborate with each-other and trainers as well, in order to be productive throughout trainings, workshops, and innovative week.

Trainings will continue until Friday and they will include topics which will serve the youth of Dukagjini to develop their innovative ideas.
The topic which is being discussed today is “Introduction to Digital Marketing”.

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11.08.2016

Extension of deadline: Organization of Entrepreneurship Training and Branding Workshops for the EU funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”

Request for offers: Organization of Entrepreneurship Training and Branding Workshops for the EU funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”.

Kosovo Association for Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) and Syri i Vizionit (SiV) are seeking to hire a consultant or company to organize Entrepreneurship Training and Branding Workshops for the EU funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”

Attached please find the detailed Terms of References for the scope of work of the company.

Selection criteria is based on work experience submitted, a brief training and workshops action plan proposal, a brief description of the materials to be taught, a proposed work timeframe, and the financial offer.

You need to send your proposal via e-mail to [email protected] no later than 19.08.2016.

Looking forward to your applications.
This project is financed by the European Union, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

CBC 28 – ToR Entrepreneurship training and Branding workshops: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ToR_-_Entrepreneurship___Branding_extended_deadline.pdf

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03.08.2016

Organization of Entrepreneurship Training and Branding Workshops for the EU funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”

Request for offers: Organization of Entrepreneurship Training and Branding Workshops for the EU funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”.

Kosovo Association for Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) and Syri i Vizionit (SiV) are seeking to hire a consultant or company to organize Entrepreneurship Training and Branding Workshops for the EU funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”

Attached please find the detailed Terms of References for the scope of work of the company.

Selection criteria is based on work experience submitted, a brief training and workshops action plan proposal, a brief description of the materials to be taught, a proposed work timeframe, and the financial offer.

You need to send your proposal via e-mail to [email protected] no later than 10.08.2016.

Looking forward to your applications.
This project is financed by the European Union, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

CBC 28 – ToR Entrepreneurship training and Branding workshops: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CBC_28_ToR_Entrepreneurshiptraining___Brandingworkshops.pdf

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07.07.2016

Launching of CBC Innovation Hub in Istog, project funded by EU

Launching event of “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)” project, financed by European Union.

Today the launching event of “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)” project, financed by European Union was held, in which Mayor of Municipality of Berane, Mr. Dragoslav Scekic, and Mayor of Municipality of Istog, Mr. Haki Rugova participated.

Launching of the project was held at the Culture Palace in Istog, specifically, at CBC Innovation Hub. After the opening speeches, guests and all participants had the opportunity to talk and search for future potential cooperation with each-other.

Starting from today, CBC Innovation Hub in Istog will serve as a co-working space for the youth of Dukagjini region, supporting innovative ideas by being based on development of tourism sector in technology. It is expected that trainings and workshops of specific topics that will prepare youth in particular field to be held at CBC Innovation Hub. In addition, the co-working space can also be used by the NGOs which aim to improve the socio-economic situation through trainings and workshops.

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28.06.2016

Extension of deadline: Facilitation of training and workshops of Digital Promotion Tools for the EU funded project

Request for offers: Training on Digital Promotion tools for the European Union funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of Kosovo (KS) and Montenegro (MNE)”.

Kosovo Association for Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) and Syri i Vizionit (SiV) are seeking to hire a consultant or company to facilitate trainings and workshops of Digital Promotion Tools for the EU funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of KS and MNE” project.

Attached please find the detailed Terms of References for the scope of work of the company.

Selection criteria is based on work experience submitted, a brief training and workshops action plan proposal, a brief description of the materials to be taught, a proposed work timeframe, and the financial offer.
You need to send your proposal via e-mail to [email protected] no later than 06.07.2016.

Looking forward to your applications.
This project is financed by the European Union, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

CBC 27 – ToR_Digital_Promotion_Tools: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/Extended_-_ToR_-_Digital_Promotion_Tools_Training___Workshop.pdf

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