The Public International Business College Mitrovica welcomed Ms. Silvana Verdiani from the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), European Commission, for an official monitoring visit during her mission in Kosovo. The meeting was led by the Rector Prof. Dr. Mihone Kerolli-Mustafa, and attended by Mr. Goran Lazić from the Kosovo Erasmus+ Office, Secretary General Ms. Jehona Murati-Dugolli, Lecturer and Project Office representative Ms. Gresa Ferri, and Public Relations representative Ms. Dea Gaxha.

IBCM presented its extensive engagement in Erasmus+ and EU-funded initiatives, highlighting how each project is carefully selected, strategically relevant, and designed to leave long-term impact. The institution emphasized its growth through projects such as the development and modernization of Knowledge Transfer Centers, the strengthening of research culture, and continuous upgrades in academic and infrastructural capacities. The Rector noted that IBCM’s project philosophy is built on sustainability, noting that no project ends when its official period concludes, but must contribute lasting knowledge, culture, or infrastructure to the institution.

IBCM’s portfolio of EU-funded and Erasmus+ projects reflects the institution’s strategic commitment to innovation, capacity building, and sustainable impact in higher education. The College’s leadership in the Creating Theory to Practice Centres for Innovation and Employment (T2P/CTPCIE) project demonstrates its pioneering role in bridging higher education and the labor market through sustainable cooperation between universities and enterprises. This was followed by the STAND project, which strengthens university autonomy and governance in the Western Balkans while fostering professional capacities and international academic exchange. IBCM has also played a leading role in the ResearchCult structural project to enhance research culture across Kosovan higher education institutions and participated in initiatives such as SMARTEL, IDEA, DGTRANS, PELMOB, ROAMING, STEFORA, QUADIC, Horizon, and others, covering diverse fields from digital learning and inclusion to renewable energy, transportation safety, civic engagement, and smart cities.

Complementing these efforts, IBCM established the first Master’s program in Sustainability in cooperation with Sapienza University of Rome and is developing the region’s first joint PhD program in Sustainability.

Active projects such as AL4Life, MAGNET, REZEB, VirtuEU, Tech2Link, Edu4Migration, WebNimbus, ACTIVATE, CIVIC, and the newly launched Q-Helix Alliance further demonstrate the College’s dedication to strengthening employability, internationalization, and the European Research Area alignment. Throughout this diverse portfolio, IBCM remains committed to submitting high-quality applications that reinforce institutional capacities, foster innovation, and generate tangible benefits for students, staff, and the broader society.

Ms. Silvana Verdiani expressed strong appreciation for the scale and quality of IBCM’s work, stating:

“I am amazed by the number of projects you have implemented, and even more by their quality and visibility.”

She commended IBCM for its clarity of direction, professionalism, and visibly high impact on both students and the wider higher education landscape in Kosovo.

Rector Kerolli-Mustafa emphasized the institution’s commitment to shaping a forward-looking academic environment, explaining,

“Every initiative we take must leave something behind - knowledge, a culture of change, or a structure that improves the institution. Our work is grounded in sustainability and long-term transformation.”

Mr. Goran Lazić from the Kosovo Erasmus+ Office described IBCM as a pioneering institution, remarking,

“IBCM has set standards in Kosovo, particularly through its leadership in structural projects and its ability to select topics that matter and produce real change.”

Reflecting on the human capital development and capacity building enabled by Erasmus+, lecturer Gresa Ferri shared, 

“I grew within Erasmus projects, from being an intern, to becoming part of managing the Project Office. It is inspiring to now see other students grow through the same opportunities and to witness their impact on our institution.”

The visit concluded with Ms. Verdiani touring the IBCM campus, where she observed firsthand the visibility of EU support and the tangible impact of projects on the College’s infrastructure, facilities, and overall development. The monitoring ended with mutual appreciation and recognition of IBCM’s role as a dynamic and strategically oriented institution that continues to shape higher education development in Kosovo through its commitment to quality, innovation, and international collaboration.