Prishtina International Summer University provided a unique opportunity for participant student to expand their knowledge and skills in different fields of studying.
In April 1999 representatives of University of Prishtina and Academic Training association started their discussions about possibilities of organizing International Summer University in Prishtina. First International Summer University was organized in summer 2001.
First Edition of Prishtina Summer University had a great success as it established international contacts and provided the infrastructure for the future Editions of SU. In the year 2002 University of Prishtina renamed the Summer University as Prishtina Summer University.
As a result of the shown success the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the government of Holland rewarded the project with financial support for the next three coming edition of PISU in the year 2002, 2003, and 2004.
Between 2001-2004, the University of Prishtina (UP) and the Academic Training Association (ATA) successfully implemented the first four editions of the Prishtina International Summer University. These comprised of 30 courses annually and brought together more than 250 international and local professors over the years. In total, more than 2000 students from Kosovo, South Eastern Europe and the rest of the world participated in the Summer University over the first four years. The PISU has assisted the UP in adopting the Bologna Action Lines and improving the quality of the curriculum. Moreover, previous editions proved to be a large success in encouraging regional co-operation and reconciliation.
Over the years, the University of Prishtina and ATA carried out several activities to facilitate the transfer of the project from ATA to the UP. These activities include annual trainings of PISU staff, pre-training meetings for co-professors and logistics officers, preparation of a detailed PISU manual, as well as the publication of an annual Summer University report. From 2005-2007, the University of Prishtina will organize three further editions of the Prishtina International Summer University with limited assistance of ATA. ATA’s involvement will focus on securing participation from the SEE region, and management support on demand at crucial moments of the project cycle.
In January 2005, the PISU project was formally transferred from ATA to the University of Prishtina. The UP has taken a leading role in the implementation of the project and since 2005, the PISU has been organized by UP staff with limited assistance of ATA.
In the PISU participated more than 4000 local, regional and international students and more than 400 local and international professors.
Prishtina Summer University has achieved proved values and provided a beginning of encouragement for regional reconciliation and cooperation among different comities and academics from the region.