The Faculty of Medicine hosted the official launch of the Pharmacy Institute, which aims to link university pharmaceutical education with the needs of Kosovo’s job market.

The roundtable, titled “Bridging Pharmaceutical Education with Labor Market Demands in Kosovo: Strengthening Academia’s Role in Pharmaceutical Practice, Regulation, and Public Health,” was organized by the Pharmacy Institute and the European Union project 4InnoPipe2, “Strengthening Innovation Pipelines for Impactful Universities 2.0.” It gathered government officials, international partners from the Universities of Helsinki and Iowa, and pharmaceutical industry representatives at a central venue of the University of Prishitina’s Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy Department.

In her opening address, the Director of the Pharmacy Institute, Prof. Pranvera Breznica-Selmani, explained that the institute’s goal is to bridge academia with professional practice, industry, healthcare services, and the sustainable growth of the pharmaceutical sector.

Rector Prof. Arben Hajrullahu noted that the first decision he signed after taking office in 2024 was the establishment of the Pharmacy Institute. He stressed that the institute must, among other roles, ensure medicine quality in Kosovo and serve the public interest.

Also speaking at the event were the Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Hajrulla Çeku; the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Sefedin Muçaj; and the Head of the Pharmacy Department, Prof. Adnan Bozalija. Participants were also greeted via video link by Prof. Titta Pirkola from the University of Helsinki and representative of the “4InnoPipe2” project, as well as by professors from the University of Iowa, Donald Letendre and Russell Ganim.

Taking part in one of the discussion panels was the Vice-Rector for Scientific Research, Projects, and Innovation, Prof. Avni Hajdari.