University “Haxhi Zeka” has officially launched HELIXA – UHZ Living Lab for Innovation & Sustainability, a new multidisciplinary platform dedicated to strengthening sustainability education, applied innovation, and university–industry collaboration.
The Living Lab was established within the framework of the Erasmus+ funded project GreenWB – Sustainable Living Labs for Regional Entrepreneurial Cooperation, supported by the European Union. HELIXA represents an important step in advancing experiential learning, green transformation, and structured cooperation between academia and the socio-economic ecosystem of Kosovo.
The launch event brought together university leadership, academic staff, students, representatives of local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, NGOs, and public institutions. Participants were introduced to the Living Lab’s mission, service portfolio, and upcoming pilot initiatives designed to engage students in real-world sustainability and innovation challenges.
HELIXA is built around three main service pillars:
• Applied Sustainability Education & Green Skills
• Prototyping, Design & Applied Innovation Support
• Sustainability Assessment & Data-Driven Tools
Through these services, students will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on projects, develop prototypes using 3D technologies, contribute to sustainability assessments, and co-create solutions with external partners. Academic staff will serve as mentors, ensuring alignment with study programs and quality standards.
The Living Lab operates as an open, collaborative environment where students, researchers, and external stakeholders work together to test ideas, experiment with solutions, and develop applied responses to environmental and innovation challenges. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical knowledge, HELIXA promotes project-based learning, interdisciplinary cooperation, and practical problem-solving.
During the launch, participants were presented with the first thematic pilot calls that will support student-led initiatives in sustainability training, innovation prototyping, and sustainability data analysis. These pilot projects mark the transition from the Lab’s establishment phase to active implementation under the GreenWB project.
The establishment of HELIXA strengthens UHZ’s role as a regional actor in sustainability education and innovation. By combining academic expertise, student engagement, and external collaboration, the Living Lab aims to contribute to green skills development, entrepreneurial capacity building, and long-term institutional transformation.
With HELIXA now operational, UHZ continues to position itself as a forward-looking institution committed to sustainable development, innovation, and meaningful engagement with its community.
