Roma Versitas Kosovo has started to operate as a local NGO in June 2017. The first Roma Versitas center was established in Prishtina and targeted mainly students from the University of Prishtina. With the support of Rockefeller Brothers Fund in 2015, Roma Versitas Kosovo has launched two more centers – in Prizren and Peja. Now all three centers operates with REF’s funds.
Roma Versitas Kosovo Program has supported more than 400 Roma students, as more than 60 Roma students have graduated in both Bachelor and Master Studies. Roma Versitas Kosovo has managed to increase the number of female students enrolling at University studies and graduating on time. For comparison: at the launch of Roma Versitas there were less than 20% female tertiary education students, whereas in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic years the Program achieved to inspire more than 56% female students to enroll in higher education.
Two stories
Sabina Berisha is a first-year student at the Faculty of Philology, University of Prizren “Ukshnin Hoti”, majoring in English Language and Literature. She is a Roma community activist, a regular participant at capacity building trainings, and an English – Albanian interpreter.
Sabina’s words on Roma Versitas Kosovo.
“I didn’t know what a CV is, what a cover letter, or how to draft a project proposal. I needed help for developing my skills. When I first went to the offices of Roma Versitas in Prizren, I felt like a stranger, in an environment where I did not know any of students.
Initially, I attended a training course on active citizenship. In a week, I was offered to attend an English language classes, which enriched my vocabulary.
The co- students at Roma Versitas invited me to attend a vocational training in Prishtina, followed by a Romani language course, a digital literacy course and classes on CV-writing. From a blank page my CV turned into 4 pages, full of trainings, certificates and work experience. Today I already offer my help to other students to draft their CVs and write professional emails.
Being part of Roma Versitas family turned me into a participant in Doku Fest and Peer Educators Network.
ROMA VERSITAS KOSOVO : Thank you-‘’ OVEN SASTE.’’
Egzon Ibishi, born is Peja in 1998, is a Law student at the University in Pristina “Hasan Prishtina”. In 2016 he was nominated one of the best Roma students by the Agency Responsible for Education in Kosovo. And, in 2018 Egzon was selected as one of top 30 Law students at the University of Prishtina.
Currently, Egzon does an internship on a voluntary basis at the Ombudsman office in Prishtina, as his job is to deal with discrimination of vulnerable communities in Kosovo.
Roma Versitas Kosovo has supported Egzon with various soft skill trainings, library access and access to the resource center for studying.
Egzon would like to continue with Master Studies in a EU country after he graduates from the University of Prishtina.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
