INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP
The majority of graduate programs taught at UBT the students will be required to undertake practical and/or laboratory work.
The aims of practical work vary but usually include:
The target group of this program may already have some hands on experience however the program is also designed to give further experience for Students also receive 5 ECTS credit for internships combined with lectures on professional development. There are exceptions for those who already work. The institution has a standing cooperation agreements with the Ministry of Diaspora, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Agency for Private Sector Development. Municipality of Ferizaj, Municipality of Lipjan, Municipality of Vushtrri, Ministry of Health, Kosovo Centre for Security Studies, Group for Legal and Political Studies, Public Broadcaster etc. both target groups. The ‘writing up’ or reporting of practical work is therefore very important.
The policy process and the management of services are and should be closely connected. Most obviously, policy decisions determine what and how public services will be delivered. Just as importantly though, the way in which policies are implemented and delivered on the ground affects what policy outcomes can be achieved. This process in turn throws up issues and challenges that affect the policy agenda. The wider context within which governments work is changing rapidly, and reflects global issues, governance and connectedness, the role of e-technology and rising demands and expectations. Managers of public services need to understand this wider context and the pressures it creates in order to function effectively and lead change within it. Those involved in public services can gain through learning and sharing experience with other students. While local contexts are very different, there are common themes and issues that cross these boundaries, and so learning that takes advantage of shared experience can add extra value to professional development.
This curriculum responds to the priorities set in the European Partnership, especially those designed to meet the political criteria. European Commission Progress Reports (2008, 2009 and 2010) emphasize public administration reform as one of the preconditions for Kosovo’s European integration aspirations pointing: “Ensuring the delivery of public services to all people in Kosovo and establishing a professional, accountable, accessible, representative public administration free from political interference is a key European Partnership priority”. The 2011 European Partnership Action Plan (EPAP) acknowledges that although several important measures were undertaken in this sector, more challenges remain, especially in terms of implementing new legislation on civil service, advancement of the human resource management system, implementation of the revised Public Administration Reform 2016 – 2021 as well as the implementation of functional reviews.
Additionally, the Strategy for Public Administration Reform 2016-2020 covers measures planned in terms of management of policies, drafting legislation, ethics and transparency, communication with citizens, budget planning, budget execution, control and internal audit, procurement, organization of public administration, rationalization of electronic, administrative and e-governance. The Strategy guides the achievement of three essential national objectives : effective delivery of administrative services, efficient delivery of administrative services and europeanisation of organization and working methods.
UBT is in many respects a path-leading institution as regards the core of its teaching and research. It has therefore taken an approach of defining its unique niche in the Kosovan public administration landscape and not duplicating other programs. Thus, beyond the public policy and public management focus, the curricula has also embedded contemporary academic developments in public administration, has streamlined a focus on technology (e-governance) and Kosovo’s commitment towards European integration and public administration reform in order to align its practices with those of EU acquis communitaire. Furthermore, UBT is renown in Kosovo for its international focus and participation in international research and teaching projects. UBT’s teaching and is diverse in that it combines theoretical knowledge and practical skills which is made possible by UBT prioritization of staff recruitment and linkages with industry and institutions. Finally, UBT has strong linkages with public administration, local governments, regional development agencies and non-governmental sectors. It has developed strategic development plans for the Ministry of Public Administration, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Diaspora, Municipality of Ferizaj, Municipality of Vushtrri and Regional Development Agency South Kosovo. The hands-on experience has given an edge but also provided inputs to the planning process.