Advancing Education Pillar in Kosovo: 2024 Journey
Through diverse initiatives and partnerships, we have consistently highlighted the potential of Wikimedia projects as powerful tools for learning and knowledge sharing. These efforts have enabled students, educators, and professionals to contribute to Albanian-language content, bridging knowledge gaps and promoting digital literacy across communities.
Summary: The Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group has made significant progress in enhancing education in Kosovo throughout 2024. Our work was focused on raising awareness about the transformative role of Wikimedia in education, empowering communities to engage with free knowledge, and fostering collaboration to expand access to educational resources.
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Conferences and fairs
We are dedicated to raising awareness about the role of Wikimedia in education and empowering communities to use and contribute to free knowledge. Attending conferences and fairs is just one step in our ongoing journey to foster collaboration and engagement in Kosovo’s education sector.
Kosovo Education Fair
WoALUG participated in Kosovo's National Education Fair, connecting with educators, students, and contributors who are passionate about advancing education through Wikipedia and its sister projects.
The event was a fantastic opportunity to meet individuals eager to contribute to Wikimedia projects and connect with fellow Wikimedians we hadn’t met before. Our stand was a hub for discussions on how Wikipedia can enhance education in Kosovo, inspire collaboration, and provide accessible knowledge to all.
DokuTech
DokuTech, one of Kosovo’s premier technology and innovation events, brought together technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs to discuss the intersection of technology with education, culture, and societal change.
This dynamic event served as a platform for exchanging ideas and exploring how technological advancements impact education and everyday life. We engaged with attendees on how Wikimedia projects can bridge the gap between technology and education, promoting accessible knowledge for all.
Annual International Meeting of the Alb-Science Institute WoALUG participated in the 19th Annual International Meeting of the Alb-Science Institute held in Skopje. This scientific event gathered researchers, experts, and representatives from various fields to exchange knowledge and promote international academic collaboration.
A presentation was held on the significance of Wikipedia as a free and open platform for sharing knowledge in the Albanian language. Emphasizing Wikipedia's vital role in enriching resources in the native language and improving access to knowledge for Albanians worldwide.
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Partnerships
Our partnerships with universities have played a key role in advancing our mission to expand knowledge and promote free educational resources. Through collaborations with institutions such as RIT Kosovo and the University of Prishtina, we have successfully engaged students and faculty in various educational projects, enhancing the impact of Wikipedia and fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing within academic communities.
RIT Kosovo University
We partnered with RIT Kosovo University to foster the use of Wikimedia projects as educational tools. Through workshops, presentations, and hands-on activities, we introduced students to the impact of contributing to Wikipedia and its sister projects. This collaboration enabled students to develop critical digital skills, improve information literacy, and engage in meaningful contributions to free knowledge in both English and Albanian.
International Relations Class Collaboration One of our key projects with RIT Kosovo was with the International Relations class. Students enriched the English Wikipedia by creating and improving articles that highlighted Kosovo's diplomatic relationships with various states. This initiative not only expanded global knowledge about Kosovo’s international presence but also equipped students with research and writing skills that align with academic and professional standards.
Collaborating with CIT Students We also worked closely with students from the Computing and Information Technology (CIT) program at RIT Kosovo. Together, we translated more than 100 articles on computing and information technology topics into Albanian. This effort significantly enriched the availability of technical knowledge in the Albanian language and provided students with a platform to engage in practical language and technical collaboration.
University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”
The collaboration between the Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group and the University of Prishtina in 2024 marked a significant step in promoting open knowledge and digital literacy within academic circles. Through partnerships with various faculties, we engaged students and faculty members in enriching Wikipedia with valuable content, fostering skills in research, writing, and collaboration.
Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences Students from the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences actively contributed to Wikipedia by editing and translating 45 articles on computer science topics. This initiative offered students a unique opportunity to publish their first academic contributions publicly, providing a lasting resource for future students and the general public.
The students covered essential topics such as Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence Applications, Software Architecture, and more. To celebrate their accomplishments, we hosted a pizza party as a token of appreciation for their dedication.
Faculty of Philology – Journalism Department In collaboration with the Department of Journalism, students in the Citizen Journalism class replaced their traditional writing assignments with a unique Wikipedia project. They created and edited articles that emphasized the importance of credible, well-researched content in journalism. This initiative not only strengthened their journalistic skills but also contributed to expanding Wikipedia's repository of reliable information in Albanian.
Faculty of Philosophy – Department of Social Work Our workshop titled “Gendering Wikipedia” with the Department of Social Work addressed the gender gap on Wikipedia and its influence on shaping societal perceptions. In partnership with forumZFD, this event introduced students to systemic bias in content and editorial participation, focusing on underrepresented gender topics.
The workshop agenda included discussions on gender representation, case studies of overlooked women and movements, and hands-on editing sessions. The participants created and improved articles highlighting the contributions of women in Kosovo to peacebuilding, transitional justice, and activism.
This project aims to create a more inclusive Wikipedia in the Albanian language and will continue to expand the visibility of women’s contributions to significant movements. We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative for equality and representation.
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Editathons
We organized several editathons aimed at expanding our education program by fostering collaboration with various other educational institutions. These events brought together students, educators, and professionals, enabling them to contribute to Wikipedia and enhance Albanian-language content.
Insitituti Alb-Shkenca We hosted an edit-a-thon in collaboration with Alb-Instituti, which culminated in our participation at their annual conference. The event included both online and offline session, engaging members of the institute in the world of Wikipedia editing. During the edit-a-thon, we provided a comprehensive presentation on how to edit Wikipedia, emphasizing its core pillars such as neutrality, verifiability, and reliable sourcing.
Iniciativa MODERNe Collaborating with Iniciativa MODERNe, this joint effort, brought together architecture students from Kosovo, who contributed to enhancing and creating articles on Albanian Wikipedia, focusing on the rich history and significance of modern architecture in Kosovo.
The initiative bridged the knowledge gap in the Albanian language regarding modern architectural practices in the region. The students, passionate about preserving and sharing Kosovo’s architectural heritage, participated in an edit-a-thon where they created and improved articles on key structures, architects, and the evolution of modern architecture in the country.
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Wikeys
We had the pleasure of joining our Wikimedian teacher, Gëzim, for a lively class session at SHFMU "7 Marsi" in Bukosh, Vushtrri, with the 4th-grade students. The session featured Wikeys, an educational game we had previously translated and designed into Albanian, tailored to introduce young learners to the world of Wikipedia in a fun and interactive way. The students enthusiastically participated, demonstrating curiosity and creativity throughout the activity.
The excitement didn’t stop there—5th-grade students, intrigued by the buzz, eagerly asked to join the fun. We were delighted to include them, and their energy and enthusiasm proved just as inspiring. By the end of the session, Wikeys became a favorite among both groups, sparking an interest in exploring and contributing to Wikipedia in the future.
To extend the impact of the activity, we gifted a copy of the Wikeys game to the school. This ensures that students can continue to engage with the game, developing a deeper understanding of how Wikipedia works and fostering a sense of contribution to free knowledge. We look forward to seeing these young learners grow into future editors and advocates for open knowledge!
WikiCamp
We proudly organized our first WikiCamp, bringing together 27 students and educators from Prizren, Suhareka, Hasi, and Tropoja. Centered on the theme of Cultural Heritage, the camp marked a significant step in reaching underserved regions and emphasized our commitment to using Wikipedia as a platform for education and heritage preservation.
Participants enhanced their skills in Wikipedia editing, copyright awareness, and multimedia uploads while also developing critical competencies such as research, writing, teamwork, and digital literacy. The camp’s diverse activities included: Hands-on workshops for Wikipedia editing A photowalk to document the cultural heritage of Gjakova Engaging lectures and collaborative sessions
By actively engaging with the history of their communities, participants fostered a deeper connection to their heritage and contributed valuable knowledge to Wikipedia.
This WikiCamp not only inspired learning but also strengthened the bond between communities and their cultural heritage, paving the way for future contributions to free knowledge.
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