“The most powerful indicator that an academic initiative is creating real impact is when students move from learning about Europe to thinking about how we can contribute to Europe,” says Venera Llunji, Vice Rector for International Relations at AAB College in Kosovo.
She witnessed this shift during a two-week summer school organised at the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, hosted at AAB College through the EU’s Erasmus+ programme. Students initially focused on Kosovo’s path towards EU integration. As discussions progressed, their questions became more analytical: how does the EU work, what challenges does it face, and what responsibilities would membership bring for Kosovo itself?
Encouraging this kind of engagement is at the heart of the Centre, which brings together academic expertise from different disciplines to promote teaching, research and debate on the European Union.
Through lectures by academic staff and guest speakers, student debates, information sessions and research, the Centre helps students and the wider community better understand EU institutions, policies and the integration process, while encouraging critical thinking and open discussion.
Named after Jean Monnet, one of the founding figures of European integration, these Centres are present at numerous universities across the world and promote his vision of cooperation as the foundation for a more peaceful, united Europe. For Kosovo, they are particularly important in strengthening knowledge of the EU, fostering academic excellence, and connecting higher education with European values, policies, and integration processes, while empowering students and researchers to contribute to Kosovo’s European future.
From Learning to Active Participation
For students, the opportunities extend beyond the classroom. Through the Jean Monnet Centre's Student Ambassador programme, they can help organise EU-related activities, encourage their peers to participate and contribute their own perspectives to the project.
For Bleonë Brestovci, being a Student Ambassador has meant putting academic knowledge into practice.
“One experience that stands out is the organisation of a lecture on European integration and the role of young people in shaping Europe’s future, delivered by Hubert Perr, the EU in Kosovo’s Head of Cooperation. Communication, teamwork, event organisation and coordination have become integral parts of the experience, bridging academic learning with practical skills and active participation,” she said.
Her experience illustrates how the Centre connects academic learning with opportunities for students to develop practical skills, take initiative and actively participate in discussions about European affairs.
Investing in Kosovo’s European Future
The experiences of Llunji and Brestovci illustrate how EU support for education goes beyond academic learning. By encouraging students to ask questions, exchange ideas and take an active role in organising activities, the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence helps connect knowledge about the EU with practical experience.
The Centre is one example of the EU’s broader investment in education, student mobility, skills development and youth initiatives in Kosovo. Through Erasmus+ and other programmes, the EU supports young people in gaining knowledge, developing skills and accessing new opportunities.
As Kosovo’s strongest and most reliable partner and largest provider of financial assistance, the EU remains committed to supporting education and empowering young people to contribute to their communities and Kosovo’s European integration.
