Qëndresa Kukaj Prelvukaj has experience in managing projects and programs in higher education in Kosovo. She is currently a PhD candidate in Economics at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) in Hungary, focusing on the transition of youth from education to the labor market.
She completed her Master’s degree in Economics at Vanderbilt University in the USA as a scholar of the Transformative Leadership program funded by USAID. She also holds a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the “Haxhi Zeka” University in Peja.
Professional Experience
Ms. Kukaj holds the position of Lecturer and Teaching Coordinator at the Faculty of Economics at AAB College, where she is engaged in overseeing academic processes as well as the development and accreditation of study programs. She is also a researcher in the international EDULAB project funded by Horizon Europe, which aims to study the transition from education to the labor market for European youth. Additionally, she is involved as a researcher in the HUMLIT project, also funded by Horizon Europe, which focuses on studying how humor is produced, distributed, and accepted in Europe.
Her previous experiences include serving as Chairperson of the Temporary Board of Directors at KRU Hidrodrini in Peja, the role of Project Officer and Lecturer at AAB College, Lecturer and Program Coordinator for the University of London/London School of Economics programs at Riinvest College, Lecturer and Project Specialist at Universum College, as well as developer and coordinator of projects in the NGOs Play2Educate, Anibar, and Lens, where she was engaged in coordinating programs for youth empowerment, social entrepreneurship, and training for civil society organizations.
Research and Publications
Her research focuses on higher education and the transition from education to the labor market. Some of her recent research includes:
Kukaj, Q., Hashani, M. (2024) Emerging Trends in Post-Secondary Education: The Impact of Digital Technologies on Access, Delivery, and Credentialing, 2024 ICONBEST, University of Skopje
Vértesy, L.; Kukaj, Q. (2024) “Micro-credentials: Navigating New Frontiers for Skill Acquisition and Lifelong Learning”; Intellectual Potential of Society in the Context of Permanent Social Changes: Ways of Retaining and Development.
Kukaj, Q.; Boros, A.; Bislimi, K. (2023) “The impact of ownership type on the quality of study programs in higher education in Kosovo: a comparative analysis”, Prizren Social Science Journal, 7:2
Laszlo, V; Kukaj, Q.; Boros, A. (2023) “The legal framework for higher education and maintainers rights in Hungary and Kosovo”, DE IURISPRUDENTIA ET IURE PUBLICO: JOURNAL OF LAW AND POLITICAL SCIENCE 14:2 pp. 88-109
Ruxho, F., Dervishaj, V., Kukaj, Q. (2021) “Effects of gender and year of study on digital teaching performance in higher education in Kosovo during the Covid-19 pandemic,” 76th International Scientific Conference on Economic and Social Development – “Building Resilient Society,” Zagreb, Croatia
Dervishaj, V., Kukaj, Q. (2021) “Economic impact of government measures to manage the Covid-19 pandemic in developing countries: the case of Kosovo,” International Online Conference on Economics & Social Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Kukaj Q. (2020) “Analysis of factors influencing youth choices for higher education: the case of Kosovo,” 4th International Conference Towards Sustainable Development (TSD2020), Skopje, North Macedonia
Zhubi D., Kukaj Q. (2018) “Free Data?”, Lens, Pristina
Trainings and Awards
Throughout her career, Qëndresa has participated in initiatives aimed at youth empowerment and professional development of women in society. In 2019, she was selected as a mentor in the “Womentorship for Dialogue” program by OSCE, providing guidance to young girls in Kosovo for their personal and professional development. The same year, due to her involvement in the NGO Play2EDUCATE, which uses play and dialogue as tools to combat extremism, she was awarded the title “Volunteer of the Year for Community Impact” by USAID and Citizens Corps.
She is also a recipient of two full academic scholarships. In 2021, she won the “Stipendium Hungaricum” scholarship for doctoral studies in Hungary, while in 2016, she was selected as a scholar of the Transformative Leadership Program, which enabled her to pursue her master’s studies in the USA, funded by USAID and the Government of Kosovo.
Language and Computer Skills
Qëndresa’s native language is Albanian. She also speaks English (C2), Spanish (B2), and Serbian (A2).
Her computer skills include proficiency in MS Office and statistical software such as SPSS, Stata, and R.
