ROMA VERSITAS KOSOVO PROGRAM
The main goal of the program is to increase the retention rate and academic capacities of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian university students. The project aims to improve the retention, performance and graduation levels of at least 80 Roma Ashkali and Egyptian full-time tertiary students in Kosovo by providing them with academic skills.
Target group and beneficiaries;
The core target groups of the project are Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians university students. The project also will offer an opportunity to non-Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian students. During the project period, min 80 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian university students are expected to benefit from the RV assistance offered, min 80 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian students are to receive tutoring assistance, at least 20 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian high school graduates/freshmen students are expected to receive non-formal peer mentoring, 90 students are expected to participate in 6 thematic academic workshops/training (40 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian and 10 non-Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian students), 40 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian students attend foreign language and 20 students’ computer courses;
Program Development Objectives;
The main program objective is to increase the retention rate and personal capacities of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian university students. It will support students to complete their University studies through tackling the challenges of low study and career prospects of students enrolled into Kosovo universities (both Albanian and Serbian).
Compulsory project components are:
- Establishment of the Advisory Board, Roma Versitas Student Resource Center and Library:
In sum, the objective of the Component 1 is to establish a fully functional AB, create a RV student resource canter(s) (furnished facility with necessary technical and material equipment) and to establish a library with most common books used by students.
- Roma Versitas Student Resource Center(s) (RVSRC) and Library;
Roma Versitas Student Resource Center(s) (RVSRC) and Library enrichment and maintenance in Prishtina, Prizren, and Peja. As a result of this work package, resources available to students will increase, and to the Prishtina based resource center will be added 200 titles and other academic texts.
- Academic tutoring scheme;
The objective of Component 2 is to improve the retention, performance and graduation levels among at least 80 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian full-time tertiary students (Kosovo Albanian and Serbian administered Universities) in Kosovo through provision of academic tutoring.
- Provision of Mentoring Services:
The group mentoring for freshmen students will be carried out by mediators. Under close supervision of RV Kosovo management, the technical coordination of the activity implementation will be carried out by RV Kosovo Program Manager and Recourse Centers Coordinators.
Optional project components will include:
- Provision of academic development services;
The objective of component 4 is to ensure supplementary academic support to advance the students’ learning capacities. It will help up to 90 full-time students (80 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian and 10 non- Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian) tertiary students in Kosovo to acquire academic skills necessary for their successful professional development and managing in any sphere of life.
- Student Initiatives and Projects- SIP:
The objective of component 5 is to support up to 80 full-time Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian tertiary students in Kosovo to further expand, express, and exchange their academic knowledge and skills in their fields of studies as well as to raise policy issues tackling Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian students or the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities by providing them with small grants to conduct researches and/or debates and discussions.
- Self –Esteem Modules
The activity will be delivered through taking positive examples of the renowned universities in Kosovo. Initially, assessing the needs of specific skills which will raise the self-confidence of the targeted students. Additionally, RV Kosovo will seek to acquire support from Kosovo based institutions for provision of pro bono services in sociology and psychology counselling, if there is not will of public institution to deliver pro bono, RV Kosovo will find any other nonpublic institution and develop activities.
- Internship Program for Community Benefit
This component objective is to educate the Roma students to commit themselves genuinely for benefit of their community while gaining experience which can be instrumental and beneficial in their after –study career in getting job opportunities.
Roma Versitas Kosovo is funded by Roma Education Fund (REF).