The Governing Council of Haxhi Zeka University has taken a historic decision by approving the establishment of the University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – NOVA, a pioneering institution that is set to become a reference point for the new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs in Kosovo.
NOVA Center is founded as a commercial company fully owned by Haxhi Zeka University, making it a unique model within the Albanian-speaking and regional higher education space. It will be developed gradually and will operate under the modern “triple helix” model – integrating university, business, and governance – thereby creating a sustainable ecosystem that connects academia with entrepreneurship and policy-making.
Through its establishment, Haxhi Zeka University marks a new chapter in its transformation into an entrepreneurial university, assuming responsibility for the management of business incubators, startups, and accelerators, which are expected to generate innovative ideas, new jobs, and extraordinary opportunities for youth development.
The Rector of Haxhi Zeka University, Prof. Dr. Armand Krasniqi, emphasized that this initiative represents a cornerstone in the university’s trajectory towards direct engagement with the market and the economy:
“NOVA Center is not merely a new institutional structure; it is a space where ideas transform into projects, projects into businesses, and businesses into engines of economic growth. This is a direct investment in the future of our youth and in the empowerment of Dukagjini and Kosovo.”
NOVA Center will serve as a bridge between students, professors, local and international businesses, and public institutions, contributing to the creation of an environment conducive to innovation, creativity, and sustainable economic growth.
This decision of the Governing Council marks a giant step towards Haxhi Zeka University’s vision of becoming a hub of knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship, positioning Peja and the Dukagjini region on the map of academic and economic development in the region.