Mr. Dukagjin Pupovci speaks about the education system in Kosovo, progress and challenges related to investments in infrastructure and income vs quality, and what PISA results indicate including with references and comparison to the region and to EU. Mr. Pupovci mentions the high unemployment (and an inactivity rate of around 60%) in Kosovo, provided by the Kosovo Agency of Statistics; that a number of young people either works in the region or countries of the European Union (EU) but that the unemployment is high in the entire region and the issues around limited employment opportunities, low salaries and sometimes language/culture do not make the region attractive.

He stresses that higher education in Kosovo does not adequately equip the young people for the labour market. Numerous surveys with Kosovo employers reveals that they have to invest - train/build the capacity - of young graduates in the profession in which they have already received education. But, if they would complete an Internship program, then we can expect them to develop planning and communication skills that would be reflected in their work place.

Tempus and Erasmus programs financed by the EU have enabled cooperation between educational institutions in the region, and other student mobility schemes such as CEEPUS. Also, an initiative by the University of Prishtina, International Summer University (UPISU) brings students from the entire region during the summer months.

However, the biggest obstacle for young people from the region is language because, as a rule, countries in the region offer higher education in their official languages which young people do not know. There are exceptions when the lectures are provided completely in English language.  

He recommends that young people should at least learn two other (foreign) languages and aim to complete a part of their education outside their home country and bring new/different experiences, and to develop their general knowledge/life skills in addition to their narrow professional/academic skills.