The journey of success: Shkolla Digjitale and achievements during 2023

2023 was another successful year for Shkolla Digjitale, marking numerous achievements, expansion into many new cities, and contributions to training new generations who create creative and functional applications from an early age.

Expansion into new locations

Following numerous requests and successes through Shkolla Digjitale franchises around the world, this year we expanded the network into the Asian market, with a point in the Philippines, in Albania with new points in Tirana and Durrës, as well as the local market with new points Deçan, Gjilan, and Lipjan. This expansion has brought an increase in the number of students, especially in Kosovo with over 2800 active students, with a 30% increase compared to 2022, demonstrating the growing interest of children and youth in training in information technology and programming. Shkolla Digjitale continues to remain the programming school with the largest reach in Kosovo, in terms of locations and number of students. Also, it has secured re-accreditation and has been re-validated by the National Qualifications Authority for the 'Junior Programmer' level for five years.

Increase in female participation

In an effort to promote gender equality, Shkolla Digjitale has managed to increase female participation in staff and in the number of students. While female staff participation is over 56%, their percentage in the number of students is around 30%, showing a continuous commitment to encourage and include more girls in the field of technology. On the occasion of Girls in ICT Day, under the motto "Girls who code change the world", we welcomed over 150 participants to Shkolla Digjitale in Prishtina for the 'Girls In ICT' day to discuss with the panel about the journey of future programmers and the opportunities for girls in the ICT industry. Also, during this event, we informed our students about the opportunities for girls in ICT as well as inspiring success stories in the ICT field.

Student Successes

In the grand 'ICT Awards' competition, the student of Shkolla Digjitale in Ferizaj, Lirik Rexhepi, won the prize in the 'Best Education Technology Project' category, and the student of Shkolla Digjitale in Dibër, Orhidea Ollogu, was recognized in the 'Rising Stars' category. Students of Shkolla Digjitale in Prizren, Tarik Ajvazi, Enes Ramani, Ejmen Ajvazi, took first places at the 'Albania Science & Engineering Fair'. Melos Shabani is the next student who, thanks to skills shown while attending our program from age 14, has become part of the school staff, employed as an instructor at Shkolla Digjitale in Ferizaj. Another success worth noting is that of former student from Shkolla Digjitale Prizren, Denis Hoti, who will begin studies in 'Data Science' at 'Eichstaett-Ingolstadt' University in Germany. Projects developed by students: Masar Hakiqi, with the project 'Digital Library' Lart Sejdiu, with the project 'Spark' Tarik Ajvazi, with the project 'Green Planet' Former student of Shkolla Digjitale, Dielli Jashari, who started his learning in programming at Shkolla Digjitale in Prishtinë when he was only 6 years old, was declared a finalist in the International Olympiad for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, which brings together students from grades 1-12 to address challenges in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Among over 9000 participating students from 98 countries, Dielli successfully passed the coding challenges, reaching the final of this competition. Also, the student of Shkolla Digjitale in Prishtinë, Nart Hoti, 9 years old, represented our school in the 'Bebras Computing' or 'Computing Beaver' challenge, which is an international initiative that aims to promote informatics and computational thinking for ages 8-18. Among over 2000 participating students from all municipalities of Kosovo, Narti reached the final of this challenge, promoting critical, algorithmic thinking and problem-solving, to whom we wish much success in the final.

Social and Educational Initiative

With the aim of encouraging young people, Shkolla Digjitale has offered a scholarship for one year free of charge in the regular program, at the event 'DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality', which scholarship was also received by three students participating in the Summer School, as a reward for their engagement during the special summer program. At the Shkolla Digjitale locations in Prishtina, Ferizaj, Gjilan, Gjakova, Mitrovica, Peja, Prizren, Lipjan and Deçan, we had the pleasure of assisting about 6000 public school students, who came to learn and test their coding skills during one class hour. We are happy that this year more importance has been given to the coding hour through the partnership with SHPIK and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. We organized a special party with students who have completed the course at Shkolla Digjitale (Alumni), to celebrate an unforgettable journey, the achievements of the graduated community and the close ties we have built together. This event was a good opportunity to reunite with each other and share new plans and projects together, as the beginning of our common adventure, and we hope to have many more such events in the future.

From local tech events to the international arena of innovation

Through the staff and students of Shkolla Digjitale, this year too we have been actively involved in important local and international competitions, organizations, and conferences, including Game Jam, Junction X Tirana, International B2B Software Days, DOKUTECH, Albania Science and Engineering Fair, and others, where participation in such events has once again proven the level of skills and talent of our students. The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, during her address at the plenary session of the European Parliament, echoed the successful journey of the co-founder of Shkolla Digjitale, Hana Qerimi. She was part of the delegation that best represents our country with their story and international success, turning startups into global brands with over 500 locations worldwide and making Kosovo a leader in the region as a technology hub. Also, Hana was part of the delegation of the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, at the world's largest technology conference, 'Web Summit', which was held in Lisbon, Portugal. Shkolla Digjitale closed 2023 with a decoration and recognition received from the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, for the contribution to Information Technology and the development of skills among young people.

Summer School 2023

During the months of July and August, Shkolla Digjitale organized the most special two-week summer program for age groups 8-18 with a curriculum covering the most attractive fields of technology, all in one package: Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Entrepreneurship, 3D Game Development, Online Streaming, and E-Sports. The program also included: full-day stay with food and drinks, two instructors per class, various tournaments, company visits, and guest speakers. Over 150 students were part of the Summer School in Prishtina, who attended intensive technology lessons, visited successful technology companies, had fun with various games, and many other activities.

Hackathon: 48-hour challenge

This year again, the biggest coding competition for children aged 8-18, November Code Fest - sixth edition, was organized as a 48-hour challenge. Shkolla Digjitale students made us proud again with their successful projects, among which the winners of the competition were selected: - Uvejs Borovci: Best Code Game - Orges Hajzeraj, Sali Axhija & Andi Neziraj: Best Scratch Game - Lora Vega: Best WordPress App - Riga Hyseni: Best Mobile App - Blin Halimi, Jon Mehmeti & Nil Bakija: Best Game App - Amar Alija, Agon Kamberi & Dijedon Tairi: Best Web Development - Leart Ramadani: Best React Native App The conclusion of this competition at Shkolla Digjitale in Prishtina is an inspiring moment for all participants, marking another great success with the development of about 60 projects in various categories. The participation of a large number of students from Kosovo and Macedonia, especially girls, as well as their success in this competition, proves the growth and progress of interest of the new generations in the field of information technology. This successful moment also reflects the dedication of the staff and volunteers of Shkolla Digjitale in Prishtina and its franchises, to provide an environment for the development of new talents in programming.

Recognition of success through prestigious media and magazines

The successes of Shkolla Digjitale and StarLabs have been presented in an article about building the digital economy, in one of the most important and globally known magazines, 'The Economist', which on a weekly basis can reach millions of readers. Journalists from 'The Economist' visited our offices in Prishtina, where they conducted an interview with Hana. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has published an article regarding the successes of Shkolla Digjitale and Hana Qerimi, in leading the company, highlighting the benefit from the EBRD's "Youth in Business" program as well as Hana's recognition as one of the young entrepreneurs who is influencing the future of the Information Technology industry, more specifically the development of applications by providing outsourcing services for the international market. Hana was also part of an interview on Poland's international television, where she supported the work of entrepreneurs by emphasizing the great potential of our country's youth.

Follow our interviews during 2023: Kosovo: Bold entrepreneurs defy the odds | Hana Qerimi | TVP World Project of the 17-year-old that digitalizes schools Protection of the Oceans, a project by young students from Peja TABU | Artificial Intelligence - Risk or a great opportunity Artificial intelligence, risk or opportunity - Klan Kosova Terminal Podcast - Darsej Rizaj & Hana Qerimi The future of Artificial Intelligence | Darsej Rizaj | Buzhala's Interview Inspiring Success Story in Innovation & Business | Hana Qerimi | Drive on D

Recognition of work through official visits

We had the pleasure that during this year, among many official visits, we welcomed to our company: the deputy mayor of the Municipality of Prishtina, Alban Zogaj, the president of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Lumir Abdixhiku, the Senior Marketing Manager at the famous company LinkedIn, Hava Maloku, the delegation of leaders of large Swiss businesses Groupe Orllati, Edipresse Groupe SA, Lamuniere Holding SA, Probst Group Holding SA and Editions Favre. During these visits, the co-founders and leaders of Shkolla Digjitale, Hana Qerimi and Darsej Rizaj, informed those present about the work and achievements of our company and discussed opportunities for cooperation in the field of technology and innovation.

Opportunity to take the online course

Many students from Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, America and beyond have become part of the programming course thanks to online learning. Part of this large online community are also students who live in rural areas and places around big cities, having the opportunity to connect online wherever they are.

Teamwork and professionalism of the staff

One of the most important points behind the extraordinary success is the teamwork and professionalism of our staff. We thank all of you for your continued partnership and support this year as well, being an important part of us, especially the staff of Shkolla Digjitale, all partners, students and parents for their trust. As a token of appreciation for their work, all employees of Shkolla Digjitale with over three years as part of the company have enjoyed an unforgettable free trip to Milan. Also, the entire staff of Shkolla Digjitale enjoyed an unforgettable experience in Albania as a 'staff retreat', sharing gifts with each other, creating fun moments and celebrating shared successes also at the end-of-year party of Shkolla Digjitale.

We thank everyone for the continued partnership and support during 2023 as well, being an important part of us, especially the staff of Shkolla Digjitale, all partners, students and parents for their trust.