The Department of Journalism at the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina” was established in 2005 by a group of experienced professors in journalism, communication, Albanian language, and literature. For a period, the Department of Journalism offered all three levels of studies: Bachelor’s, Master’s, And Doctorate. Currently, it organizes Undergraduate and Master’s studies. Based on market data, over 90% of graduates from the Department of Journalism are employed in local and international media, public institutions, and private companies. The role of journalists has never been more critical than today, as we live in an era of post-truth and widespread disinformation. For those who wish to gain the proper education and pursue the right path in the journalism profession, the ideal place is the Department of Journalism at the University of Prishtina. The study program aligns with the mission and strategic goals of the higher education institution and the needs of society. Through high-quality education and the professional preparation of young people for the job market, the program aims to fulfill societal needs based on the highest European standards.

In line with the mission of the Faculty of Philology, the primary goals of the program include:

• Enhancing the quality of teaching and learning;

• Meeting market demands;

• Increasing the quantity and quality of scientific research activities, publishing books and academic journals, continuing the indexing of current journals on other platforms, and publishing journals in foreign languages (e.g., English);

• Organizing debates, forums, and scientific conferences on various public and scientific issues;

• Participating in joint projects with counterpart departments in the region and beyond;

• Continuing to create opportunities for a doctoral study program in the field of communication sciences;

• Conducting individual and team research projects supported by the University of Prishtina.

The Department of Journalism offers the following study programs:

• Journalism, BA (180 ECTS)

• Journalism and Public Relations, MA (120 ECTS)

WHY #UPjournalism?

By studying at the Department of Journalism at the University of Prishtina, students can develop professional communication skills and pursue various professions that are increasingly important in the age of communication.

Through their studies at the Department of Journalism, students can acquire the knowledge and the needed skills to become:

• Journalists

• Photojournalists

• Editors

• Moderators/Content Creators

• Digital Content Creators

• Social Media Managers

• Public Relations Specialists or Officers

• Media Researchers

• Communication Scholars

• Media Officers

• Communication Advisors, and much more.

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGREEMENTS

Our students benefit from hundreds of collaboration agreements signed by the University of Prishtina, enabling student exchanges under the European Union’s “Erasmus+” program and other exchange programs. Through these agreements, journalism students have participated in dozens of study visits to various universities across Europe and the United States.

The University of Prishtina and the Department of Journalism have signed multiple cooperation agreements with public and private institutions for student internships. Among the institutions with which our department has agreements for student internships are:

• Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK)

• The Independent Media Commission

• The Audiovisual Media Authority of Albania

• Various private media outlets and companies related to the fields of study offered by our department.

Additionally, our students benefit from the University of Prishtina’s internship program, which runs throughout the academic year and offers students opportunities to develop their skills and gain valuable experience.

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Throughout the year, the staff of the Department of Journalism organizes and participates in numerous scientific and professional activities. Some of the activities organized in 2024 include:

• Producing three series of the podcast “UPpodcast”, each with ten episodes, addressing topics such as media, education, technology, artificial intelligence, information disorder, and more.

• Hosting a discussion roundtable on the topic “Challenges and Opportunities in Teaching from Digital Transformation”.

• A lecture by Major General Enrico Barduani, KFOR Commander in Kosovo, on KFOR’s mission and its role in fostering peace and stability.

• Participation of students and staff in the South East Europe Media Forum, supported by the Department.

• A study visit by the staff to key educational institutions in Finland, one of the global leaders in media and media education.

• Staff participation in the Brave New Media Forum and Next-Gen Expo, organized by Deutsche Welle Akademie.

• A lecture for journalism students by Peter Limbourg, Director-General of Deutsche Welle.

• Marking the Global Media and Information Literacy Week.

• Organizing the literary activity “Writers’ Hour” in collaboration with PEN Center, featuring writer and professor Milazim Krasniqi from the Department of Journalism.

• Opening of an exhibition featuring 44 cartoons on freedom of expression, created as part of the Media Freedom Cartoon Competition in the Western Balkans.

• Staff participation in the 5th International Media Education Research Symposium, held in the Azores, Portugal.

• A student discussion with the author of the book “Imaginary Encyclopedia”, Professor Bajram Kosumi.

• Marking World Press Freedom Day and promoting the magazine “An Innovation”, created by students from the Department.

• Presentations by professors, journalists, and researchers from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia on their findings regarding disinformation in Europe, with a focus on combating Russian disinformation and propaganda.

• A presentation of the Media Literacy Digital Dictionary, developed by the Institute of Communication Studies (ISK) in Skopje.

• A lecture for students on “Media Reporting in Times of Crisis”, organized in collaboration with representatives of security institutions.

• A lecture by Jason Steinhauer, an expert in history, technology, social media, and politics, for the students.

• Presentation of the findings of a scientific study on hate speech against journalists in Kosovo by professors of the Department of Journalism. The research summarized results regarding challenges and threats journalists face as a result of hate speech, conducted in Kosovo, Greece, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia.

• Participation of students and professors in the FutureRise Media Forum.

• Implementation of the “Journalism for Juniors” project in collaboration with Turkish Public Television (TRT) and supported by the Yunus Emre Institute.

 

CONTACTS:

Prof. Ass. Dr. Muhamet Jahiri
Head of the Department
E-mail address: [email protected]
Tel: +383(0)38 222 970

Ass. MA. Blerta Dibrani
Secretary of the Department
E-mail address: [email protected]
Tel: +383(0)38 222 970

E-mail address of the Department:
[email protected]

 

STAFF:

 

Prof. ass. Muhamet Jahiri

Prof.Asoc. Bajram Kosumi

Prof. asoc. Arben Fetoshi

Prof. asoc. Remzie Shahini-Hoxhaj    

Prof.ass. Gëzim Qerimi

Prof. ass. Alban Zeneli

Prof. ass. Faton Ismajli

Ass. Dren Gërguri

Ass. Jeta Abazi Gashi

Ass. Blerta Blakaj

Ass. Berta Dibrani

 

MEDIA INSTITUTE
The Media Institute was established in 2011 by a decision of the Governing Council of the University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina” and operates under the Department of Journalism within the Faculty of Philology.

The mission of the Media Institute is to study the field of media and public communication in Kosovo and the region, providing scientific findings on issues in this area. Additionally, the Institute aims to facilitate access to literature and various research for scholars in the field.

In line with its mission, the Media Institute can also provide educational, scientific-research, and professional services.

Some of the activities organized by the Institute include training sessions on the impact of the internet on journalism, the “Prishtina Media Days” conference, and more.

Contact:
Prof. Ass. Dr. Gëzim Qerimi
Director of the Media Institute
Email: gë[email protected]

Ass. Dr. Dren Gërguri
Secretary of the Media Institute
Email: [email protected]

 

DEPARTMENT PROJECTS

The Department has implemented the project "Media 2040: Empowering Young Advocates for Media Freedom in the Western Balkans," which has made the University of Prishtina part of a network consisting of six public universities in the region. This network brought together 40 journalism and communication students from Novi Sad, Podgorica, Prishtina, Sarajevo, Shkodra, and Skopje. Students and staff collaborated to imagine the future of media, envisioning a scenario for the year 2040 where young people aim to work as experienced media professionals. The project was supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Belgrade, through the Dutch Fund for Regional Partnerships – MATRA program.

The project “Raising Awareness in Higher Education on Information Disorder – UPpodcast” has been another significant initiative. It aims to raise awareness among the academic community, particularly students, on critical issues such as the use of propaganda and misinformation. This project emphasizes the fight against non-Western propaganda in Kosovo, the misuse of artificial intelligence for misinformation, and the improvement of digital services for students at the University of Prishtina.

Furthermore, the project promotes an understanding of how social ideas can drive activism, tackle gender issues, and address challenges in the field of telecommunications. Through podcast episodes, academics from various UP departments, business leaders, experts, and researchers have engaged in discussions on topics such as the use of propaganda in politics, non-Western propaganda in Kosovo, the misuse of AI for misinformation, the digitization of university services, the role of social ideas in encouraging activism, gender issues, and the challenges faced in telecommunications.

BA program_Journalism

MA program - Journalism and Public relations