This program delivers in-country Immersion Courses to students, and in-country public service and Public Policy Development and Leadership (PPDL) courses to Kosovo public servants.

The Transformational Leadership Program’s (TLP) Immersion and Public Service Courses activity works to enhance human capital and talent among Kosovo’s students and public servants. Students attending the Immersion Courses, most of whom have not had access to quality undergraduate programs, have the opportunity to meet their full potential and prepare for greater educational opportunities. The Public Service Courses increase the public policy development and leadership capacity of Kosovo’s public servants at the central and municipal levels. Through this activity USAID would have supported   immersion training to 1,150 participants and Public Policy Development and Leadership training to 1,000 Kosovo Public Servants by the end of the activity in April 2019.

IMMERSION COURSES / AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY PROGRAM

The Immersion program, also known as the American University Preparatory Program is designed to meet the academic needs of prospective university and graduate students and to help improve their likelihood of success if attending universities in the United States. It raises their English language proficiency levels and strengthens essential mathematical competencies. Students requiring remedial courses in English or Mathematics or who wish to prepare for additional undergraduate education in the United States will be offered extra training appropriate to their educational level. Students who are well prepared for direct admittance into American Graduate programs will be able to move directly into the Immersion Regular Courses.  

PUBLIC SERVICE COURSES / PUBLIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP

The 14-week PPDL Certificate Program increases the public policy development and leadership capacity at both central and municipal levels in Kosovo. This program will provide specialized training in professional leadership, public policy analysis, evidence base decision making, and program evaluation. The PPDL training program will consist of two modules taught over a fourteen-week period (48 contact hours) running concurrently with the regular RIT Kosovo (A.U.K) semester schedule.

MODULE 1

Foundations of public policy development and analysis; techniques of effective leadership and respect for diversity; policy cycle (from agenda setting to implementation and policy evaluation); strategies for effective stakeholder engagement in the policy process; and key tools and practice in writing effective policy memos, including using evidence in decision making, and applying cost benefit analysis and policy evaluation.

MODULE 2

Specialized Topics on Diplomacy and the Rule of Law; Economic Development; Energy Policy Social Policy; Rural, Urban and Regional Planning; and a Final Group Policy Proposal.

KEY RESULTS

• To date a total of 1150 participants have completed the AUPP (Immersion courses) giving them a better chance to be accepted for degree programs.
• 1043 public service employees completed PPDL program, strengthening their leadership and management skills.

Project Duration:  April 2014 – April 2019

Partner:                    RIT Kosovo [Former American University of Kosovo (AUK)

Contact:                    Antigona Mustafa