Cove STEM Europe

CoVE STEM Europe Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) in Istanbul, 2nd Day

The CoVE STEM Europe Project successfully held its third Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) in Istanbul,

Day 2 continued with a strong focus on advancing core project components. Discussions centered on the development of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) within WP2, the application of the PDCA cycle for continuous improvement (WP7), and progress within WP5. The sessions were interactive and solution-oriented, contributing to clearer planning and coordination among partners.

Overall, the two-day meeting provided valuable insights for partners to collaborate closely, share knowledge, and ensure a common understanding of the project’s goals and next steps.

The TPM marked an important milestone in moving the CoVE STEM Europe Project forward and reinforcing its commitment to enhancing vocational education and training.

📍 Istanbul, Türkiye

The CoVE STEM Europe Project officially launched its first day of the Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) with a dynamic and engaging agenda in Istanbul!

The day began with a warm welcome and meeting organization session, followed by key discussions and workshops, including:
🔹 WP1: Project updates
🔹 WP7: PPP training
🔹 WP4: Workshop on trainings
🔹 WP6: Dissemination strategies
🔹 WP3 working session

👏 Each session brought valuable insights, active participation, and strong collaboration among partners, setting a productive tone for the entire meeting.

🤝 A big thank you to all partners and session leaders for their contributions and commitment to advancing vocational excellence across Europe.

Stay tuned for more updates from the following days! 🇪🇺

📢 Launch of the First Newsletter – CoVE STEM EUROPE
We are pleased to announce the publication of the first newsletter of the CoVE STEM EUROPE project, presenting key highlights and achievements from the initial months of implementation (February–April 2025).
The newsletter marks an important milestone in the project’s journey, showcasing the strong collaboration among partners from The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Türkiye, and Kosovo working together to strengthen inclusive and innovative STEM education in Vocational Education and Training (VET).
In this first edition, you can discover:
🔹 The story behind the creation of the CoVE STEM EUROPE initiative
🔹 An overview of the project goals and its European impact
🔹 Introduction of the consortium partners and their roles
🔹 Highlights from the online consortium Kick-off meeting
🔹 Insights from the Kick-off Meeting in Delft, Netherlands, and participation in the EU STEM Coalition General Assembly in The Hague
The project aims to establish six regional Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) that will connect education, industry, and policymakers to address skills gaps and promote diversity and inclusion in STEM.
The Public University “Kadri Zeka” is proud to contribute as the lead partner of CoVE Kosovo, supporting regional cooperation and the development of STEM skills in the Western Balkans.
📖 Read the first newsletter and follow our journey as we continue building a strong European network for STEM vocational excellence.

🌍 UKZ Hosts 2nd CoVE STEM Europe Project Management Meeting
From 18–20 November 2025, UKZ welcomed partners for the second Project Management Meeting (TPM) of CoVE STEM Europe.
The three-day event focused on:
✅ Exchanging best practices in Vocational Education & Training (VET) and STEM
✅ Developing joint competencies aligned with European labor market needs
✅ Strengthening collaboration and sustainable models for professional education
Key Speakers:
Artan Dermaku, Rector of UKZ, welcomed all partners and talked on the university’s role in European innovation
Xhevdet Thaqi, Dean & Project Coordinator, spoke about UKZ’s vision, STEM programs, and education modernization
Joan Vandehoek /WP1 Coordinator, spoke about the project progress & coordination
Susanne Jakobs /WP2 Leader, building a harmonized network of European centers of excellence
Johan Stähl /WP3 Leader, industry engagement, mentorship, and practical student learning
UKZ’s active participation highlights its commitment to innovation, modern curricula, and strategic European partnerships in STEM education.

The EU STEM Coalition’s 2025 General Assembly in Brussels reinforced its mission to unite education, research & industry for a more inclusive, future-ready STEM ecosystem.

https://www.stemcoalition.eu/cove-stem-europe/news/eu-stem-coalition-general-assembly-2025-strengthening-europes-stem-ecosystem/

STEM gains ground in Gjilan – "Kadri Zeka" Public University brings together academia and industry to boost innovation and build future-ready talent.

https://www.stemcoalition.eu/cove-stem-europe/news/stem-development-in-gjilan-kadri-zeka-public-university-and-industry-collaboration/

https://vimeo.com/1136807188?fl=pl&fe=ti

STEM Development in Gjilan: "Kadri Zeka" Public University and Industry Collaboration This video highlights the STEM-focused research conference held at Kadri Zeka Public University in Gjilan, organized within the COVE STEM Europe project. The event…

MAJOR MILESTONE! 🚀 The Regional Center of Vocational Excellence – CoVE STEM Europe has officially been founded at the Public University “Kadri Zeka” (UKZ) in Gjilan, Kosovo!.
This is a cornerstone for the regional innovation ecosystem, dedicated to strengthening cooperation between higher education, industry, and innovation in STEM.
On October 23, 2025, we convened with more than 15 industrial enterprises from the region to ensure we prepare qualified professionals for the contemporary labor market. The Center is integrated into an exciting international network across Europe, ensuring global standards.
As Prof. Dr. Xhevdet Thaqi emphasized: “ We believe that only through the modernization of teaching infrastructure and the preparation of qualified professionals can sustainable progress be achieved... ”.
We also celebrated innovation with an exhibition of fantastic student projects from FAS and FCS! 💡.
Join us in celebrating this step forward for Kosovo's technological and economic development!
🔗 Discover how CoVE STEM Europe is shaping the future workforce: https://www.stemcoalition.eu/cove-stem-europe/news/the-foundation-of-the-cove-stem-europe-regional-center-in-gjilan/
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Driving Innovation: CoVE STEM Conference Tackles Kosovo's Industrial Gap! 🛠️🚀
On October 23, 2025, the Public University “Kadri Zeka” (UKZ) in Gjilan successfully hosted the CoVE STEM Europe Conference focusing on the “Challenges of Industrial Enterprises in Kosovo and Technological Developments”.
This crucial dialogue brought together academic staff, students, and representatives from over 15 regional industrial companies to discuss bridging the gap between education and the labor market.
Industry leaders highlighted a critical challenge: the lack of qualified professionals in engineering, electronics, and technology, necessitating extensive technical staff training. As Prof. Dr. Xhevdet Thaqi stressed, “University education must be the driving force of technological change and innovation”.
The conference delivered concrete recommendations, including the mandatory integration of professional practice and the strengthening of essential STEM programs to ensure professionals are market-ready. These solutions are vital for preparing the "backbone of industrial production".
Stay tuned! These recommendations will be presented at the upcoming Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) at UKZ, November 18–20, 2025.
🔗 Learn how CoVE STEM Europe is shaping the future workforce: https://www.stemcoalition.eu/cove-stem-europe/news/cove-stem-europe-conference-on-industrial-challenges-and-future-workforce-development-in-gjilan/

🌍 STEM and Shared Value for Sustainable Development | Matthew Coates at UKZ AC 2025

At the International Annual Conference in Gjilan, Matthew Coates from the EU STEM Coalition presented “STEM and Shared Value for Sustainable Development”, highlighting the role of STEM in driving innovation and sustainability.

🔗 Learn more: https://vimeo.com/1124741643?fl=pl&fe=vl

STEM and Shared Value for Sustainable Development | Matthew Coates at UKZ AC 2025 The values, perspectives, innovation and sustainability of STEM development were presented by Matthew Coates (representative of the Eu STEM Coalition) at the International…

We’re moving forward! 🚀 The CoVE STEM EUROPE partners held a coordination meeting to discuss progress and plan next steps for upcoming activities. Learn more on our website:

Project meeting CoVE STEM Europe + WP2 Project: CoVE STEM EUROPE Date: 01 October 2025 Location: Microsoft Teams – (Online Meeting) Organized by: Joan Vandehoek (Project Leader) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------