USKEB Hosts Regional Fulbright English Teaching Assistants for “Education in the Digital Age: Innovation and AI” Workshop in Partnership with RIT Kosovo (A.U.K.)
Participants of the AI in Education training, including Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs), U.S. Embassy representatives, USKEB staff, and RIT Kosovo (A.U.K.) team members, Prishtina, March 2026.
From March 25–28, 2026, Prishtina became a regional hub for dialogue on the future of education, as twenty-one Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) from the Western Balkans, Bulgaria, and Romania gathered for the workshop “Education in the Digital Age: Innovation and AI.”
Organized by the United States–Kosovo Educational Exchange Board (USKEB), with the training component delivered in partnership with RIT Kosovo (A.U.K.), the workshop brought together ETAs working across varying educational contexts for a shared purpose: to explore how innovation and artificial intelligence are reshaping teaching and learning.
At its core, the program sought not only to introduce practical tools and emerging technologies, but also to encourage critical reflection on the role of educators in an increasingly digital world, while strengthening regional connections and cross-cultural understanding among participants.
A Regional Welcome
Participants arrived in Prishtina midweek and were welcomed with an opening dinner hosted by USKEB. The evening set an informal yet purposeful tone, offering ETAs the opportunity to connect with one another, as well as with USKEB representatives, U.S. Embassy staff, and partners from RIT Kosovo (A.U.K.).
Remarks by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Anu Prattipati underscored the importance of educational exchange and collaboration, framing the days ahead as both a professional and cultural journey.
Remarks delivered by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Anu Prattipati during the welcome dinner.
Exploring Education in the Age of AI
The workshop’s core training, hosted at RIT Kosovo (A.U.K.), focused on a central question: how can educators meaningfully engage with emerging technologies while maintaining the human-centered nature of teaching?
Through a series of lectures, interactive sessions, and discussions, participants explored topics ranging from AI-assisted language learning and cognitive development to the evolving role of teachers in increasingly automated environments. Sessions encouraged ETAs to move beyond passive understanding, engaging directly with tools, reflecting on classroom applications, and considering ethical implications.
At the same time, conversations extended beyond the classroom. Discussions on structural challenges in education systems across Kosovo and the Western Balkans invited participants to situate their work within broader institutional and societal contexts—highlighting both constraints and opportunities for impact.
Throughout the day, speakers from RIT Kosovo, USKEB, the U.S. Embassy, and the U.S. Department of State emphasized a shared message: innovation in education must be paired with critical thinking, responsibility, and collaboration.
Cultural Exchange in Prizren
On Friday, March 27, participants took part in a cultural exchange activity through a guided visit to Prizren, one of Kosovo’s most historic cities. The program included a walking tour of key landmarks such as the Old Stone Bridge, Sinan Pasha Mosque, Prizren Fortress, and the Albanian League of Prizren Museum.
The visit offered participants a deeper understanding of Kosovo’s cultural heritage while further strengthening connections among ETAs serving across the region.
Closing and Impact
The workshop concluded on March 28, with participants departing Prishtina after three days of learning, exchange, and collaboration.
Bringing together ETAs from across the United States and placements throughout the Western Balkans, the program provided a platform to explore innovative approaches to teaching, critically examine the role of AI in education, and build lasting professional connections.
Held in the context of the Fulbright Program’s 80th anniversary and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the workshop also served as a reminder of the enduring role of educational exchange in fostering mutual understanding and international cooperation.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) and USKEB staff on a cultural visit to Prizren.
About:
The United States-Kosovo Educational Exchange Board (USKEB) is an advisory body established in 2021 to advance U.S.–Kosovo relations through educational exchange programs. It provides strategic guidance and supports initiatives such as the Fulbright Program, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo, and Kosovo’s Ministry of Education and Science, and is implemented by American Councils for International Education.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards more than 2,000 grants annually to U.S. college graduates, graduate students, and professionals to study, conduct research, and serve as assistant English teachers in over 140 countries around the world.
RIT Kosovo (A.U.K) is a private, non-profit higher education institution based in Prishtina. Established in 2003, it operates in partnership with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), offering American-accredited undergraduate and graduate programs.