Innovation in education systems 14th International Youth Conference “EUROPEAN VALUES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES” Innovation in education systems Prof. Dr. Ramë VATAJ University “Ukshin Hoti” Prizren KOSOVO 22 – 26 September 2016 Kruševo, Macedonia

Innovation - is the introduction of new ideas, goods, services and practices which are intended to be useful. Something new ore improved, including research for development of new technologies, refinement of existing technologies, or development of new applications for existing technologies. A new introduced practice or method intended to improve the current practice. Etymology: from the Latin In = in and Novare = make new, renew, rebuild, restore, transform, change.

Innovation is primarily associated with pure science or technology and the term is often generalized to mean technological progress. Pedagogical innovation(*) can also be called scholastic innovation, in education or in training. Pedagogical innovation corresponds to a change that we can defines as an intentional action that aims to introduce something original into a given context, and it is pedagogical as it seeks to substantially improve student learning in a situation of interaction and interactivity. In a university context, pedagogical innovations are often described as everything which is not lecturing, the method still used by the overwhelming majority of professors. (*) Anne Mai Walder, The concept of pedagogical innovation in higher education, Education Journal, 2014; 3(3): 195-202,

Education is key to prosperity. Encouraging Innovation in Education is fundamental to address growth and expansion challenges in the regional economy. Goal: To achieve a Knowledge-Based Economy The cultivation of creative and innovative people Education starts in the home. Parents need to create a home environment that encourages individuality, creativity, idea development and problem solving. The skills and talents of children should be groomed at a young age and they should be taught how to view challenges as opportunities. The innovative citizen is a critical thinker, a problem solver and a life-long learner. Cultivation of the innovative citizen starts in the home and in the school environment.

Developing Creativity at School The structure of the current schooling system is geared towards standardized testing following a strict curriculum which does not lend to exploring the imagination and latent talents. We must re-think the principles which govern the current education system.

Educate to Innovate The education system needs to be more focused on developing attitudes that can lead to innovative ideas. The education system should ideally foster innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. By honing students’ talents and channeling their creativity, entrepreneurial attitudes can be fostered. Entrepreneurship education should be integrated into all educational levels of curricula. Students need to stop being job seekers but rather critical thinkers, business creators and innovators.

Four main types of innovation (by innovation object) As an object of the innovation, the Oslo Manual concentrates on four innovation types: product innovation, process innovation, marketing innovation and organizational innovation.

Institutional sectors relevant for Innovation in Kosovo - MEST

- Ministry of Trade and Industry – MTI - Department of industry: - Industrial Property Office, - Investment Promotion Agency for Kosovo, - Agency for the support of small and medium enterprises of Kosovo - Ministry of Economic Development – MED - Different Agencies…

Gross expenditure on research and development (From Institut of Statistics, UNESCO, http://stats.uis.unesco.org/

In Higher Education System i Kosovo From 2013 in University of Prishtina: SEMS – Sistemi Elektronik i Menaxhimit të Studentëve (Electronic System for Managing Students).

Thank you for your attention