QËNDRIM BYTYQI

Qëndrim Bytyqi holds a master's degree in European and International Law from Ghent University in Belgium. With a background in European integration and policy coordination, he previously served in the European Integration and Policy Coordination Department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Currently, Qëndrim is the head of the Department for Management of Public Officials at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where he leads efforts to enhance the management and development of public officials.

GERALD KAGAMBIRWE KARYEIJA

Gerald Kagambirwe Karyeija is an Associate Professor of Public Administration and Dean of the School of Management Sciences at Uganda Management Institute. He also serves as an Extra-Ordinary Professor of Public Administration at North-West University and a Senior Scholar at the University of Lusaka. Karyeija holds a PhD and MPhil in Public Administration from the University of Bergen and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from Makerere University.

VRULLIM BUJA

Vrullim Buja is a faculty member at AAB College in Prishtinë, where he serves as the Dean of the Public Administration Faculty and lectures in economics and public administration. He holds a Doctor of Political Sciences from South East European University in North Macedonia, and an MA in Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations from CITY College, University of Sheffield.

Amongst other official positions in Government, Prof. Prasojo was Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Administrative Reform of the Republic of Indonesia. His research focuses on Governance, Federalism and Decentralization, Democratization and Local Democracy, Political Economic in Bureaucracy, Administrative Reform, Public Policy, and Public Service Studies.

Hiroko Shimada-Logie

Professor Hiroko Shimada-Logie is Professor at Kyoto University, Japan. She has over 30 years of experience in Japan’s public service, having served as Deputy Director General at the National Personnel Authority and as Japan’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva. Her academic work bridges public administration theory with the realities of government practice, focusing on professionalism, impartiality, and service to citizens. With her unique experience in both government and academia, she brings valuable insights into building effective and citizen-centered public institutions.

Catherine Althaus

Professor Catherine Althaus is Professor at the School of Business, UNSW Canberra, Australia, and Founding Director of the Academy of Adaptive Leadership at UNSW. She also serves as Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, is an ANZSOG Distinguished Fellow, and an Honorary Fellow of the South Asian Network of Public Administration. With a background in the Queensland public service and as Director of the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria (Canada), she combines governance practice with scholarly expertise in leadership, policymaking, and cross-cultural governance. Her work focuses on adaptive leadership and inclusive approaches to public administration in an era of global and technological change.

Wolfgang Drechsler

Professor Wolfgang Drechsler is Professor of Governance at TalTech’s Ragnar Nurkse Department, Estonia. He also serves as Honorary Professor at University College London’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose and Adjunct Professor at Universitas Indonesia’s Faculty of Administrative Sciences. With academic engagements across four continents, his expertise covers innovation policy, digital governance, and state capacity. His research critically examines the role of technology in the public sector, with a focus on digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

Anneli Temmes

Professor Anneli Temmes is the former Director General of HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management, Finland. She holds a Licentiate in Administrative Sciences and has extensive leadership experience in one of Europe’s premier public administration institutes. As former Director of Training and Director of HAUS International, she has played a key role in developing innovative approaches to public administration education and institutional capacity building in Finland and internationally. Her expertise lies in how institutions adapt and evolve while maintaining their core mission in times of change.

Michiel de Vries

Professor Michiel de Vries is Professor of Public Administration at Radboud University, the Netherlands. He is also Distinguished Professor at Kaunas Technological University, Lithuania, and Honorary Professor at the Free State University in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He holds a Master’s in Sociology from Groningen University, a PhD in Law from Utrecht University, and received a Doctor Honoris Causa in Public Economics from Masaryk University, Brno (2016). A former President of the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), his research and teaching focus on comparative and international public administration. He has made significant contributions to governance modernization and public sector reform worldwide.

Olga Siemers

Dr. Olga Siemers is Associate Professor of Public Policy at King’s College London. Her research examines decision-making, risk management, and digital transformation in government. She brings valuable insights into how AI can strengthen policymaking capacity and help administrations navigate global uncertainty

Younes Abouyoub

Dr. Younes Abouyoub is Director of Governance, State-Building and Conflict Prevention for the MENA Region at the United Nations. He has led governance and state-building initiatives in some of the world’s most challenging contexts, including Libya, Yemen, Burundi, and Sudan. With decades of experience in conflict prevention and institutional resilience, he brings critical insights into how emerging technologies like AI can support governance under extraordinary circumstances.

Jelena Lagger

Dr. Jelena Lagger is an International Policy Expert and Research Fellow at the University of Bath’s Future of Work Centre, United Kingdom. She is Co-Chair of IASIA’s working group on HRM in the public sector, Associated Expert at CAFRAD, and a member of the UN-DESA List of Experts. Her research explores the intersection of work, technology, and policy, focusing on how AI and human capital development can transform public sector capacity in the digital era.

Zwelinzima Ndevu

Professor Zwelinzima Ndevu is Director of the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He also chairs the University’s Anti-Corruption Centre for Education and Research (ACCERUS) and serves on several governance boards. His expertise in leadership, institutional collaboration, and performance management provides valuable perspectives on how AI can enhance public sector capacity while preserving accountability and ethics.

Edoardo Ongaro

Professor Edoardo Ongaro is Professor of Public Management at The Open University, United Kingdom. A former President of EGPA and current Council member of IIAS, he is also Editor of Public Policy and Administration. His expertise in strategic management, multi-level governance, and the foundations of public administration offers crucial insights into integrating AI while safeguarding core democratic values.

Sabrina Bandera

Sabrina Bandera is Head of the Research, Innovation and Strategy Division at the Italian National School of Administration (SNA). She leads pioneering projects on AI integration in public administration training, including the AISNA Research and Training Programme. With expertise in strategic foresight, competency development, and digital transformation, she brings hands-on experience in preparing public servants for the AI age.

Lamia Moubayed

Lamia Moubayed is President of Institut des Finances Basil Fuleihan in Lebanon and Vice-Chair of the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration. She has worked extensively with the IMF, OECD, and World Bank, and is a founding member of the GIFT-MENA and MENAPAR networks. With two decades of experience in governance and institutional development across the Middle East and Africa, she brings a global perspective on how AI can strengthen public administration capacity.

Mario Pireddu

Mario Pireddu (Italy) is Associate Professor of Educational Technology at the University of Tuscia and co-coordinator of the AI4SNA project at the Italian National School of Administration. His research explores the intersection of AI, learning, and public administration, with a focus on generative AI and digital innovation. He has advised the Italian Ministry of Education on digital citizenship and collaborated with RAI on digital education, making him a leading voice on AI-driven training and professional development for the public sector.

Hélène Martin

Hélène Martin (France) is Deputy Director of Statutory Synthesis, Territorial Policies and Partnerships at the Directorate General for Public Administration and the Civil Service (DGAFP). A career civil servant and General Inspector of Administration, she brings extensive expertise in territorial governance, institutional partnerships, and multi-level coordination. With experience spanning central and local government, her insights highlight how AI can strengthen administrative capacity across diverse governance structures.

Luanda Domi

Luanda Domi (Kosova) is Responsible AI Governor at the Global Council for Responsible AI and Gender Mainstreaming & Cyber Skills Development Manager at the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise. She leads international efforts on AI governance, cybersecurity, and inclusive capacity building, coordinating initiatives such as the Women in Cyber Capacity Building Network. With experience at UNDP, DCAF, and USAID projects, she offers unique expertise on responsible AI, digital policy, and building ethical, inclusive governance frameworks.

Ideja Bajra

Ideja Bajra (Kosova/UK) is Founder of Edvance AI and Based in Science (BIS), where she consults organizations on AI integration, strategy, and education. She helps institutions bridge the gap between complex AI systems and practical professional use through training, workshops, and strategic support. Combining scientific rigor with entrepreneurial vision, she provides actionable insights on how the public sector can build both technical competence and human-centered approaches to AI adoption.

Debabrata Samanta

Debabrata Samanta (India) is Program Head and Assistant Professor at the Department of Computing and Information Technologies, RIT Kosovo. A leading AI and blockchain researcher, he has authored over 258 papers and 13 books. His expertise in advanced computing and technology integration provides key insights into leveraging AI for more efficient, transparent, and responsive public administration.

Eglė Vaidelytė

Eglė Vaidelytė (Lithuania) is Vice-Dean for Education and Full Professor at Kaunas University of Technology. Her research focuses on civic participation, citizen science, and institutional transformation, with leadership in multiple H2020 projects. She brings expertise on how AI can enhance citizen engagement and foster responsive, inclusive governance.

João Pedro Resendes

João Pedro Resendes (Portugal) is Director of the Department for Cooperation and Communication at Portugal’s National Institute of Administration. With over 17 years in public administration, he specializes in European affairs, inter-institutional cooperation, and administrative modernization. His insights show how AI can strengthen coordination, efficiency, and citizen-responsive governance across administrative levels.

Francesco Leone

Francesco Leone (Italy) is Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister for Public Administration and Delegate to the OECD Public Governance Committee. With over 20 years of experience in European governance and public sector reform, he provides a diplomatic perspective on cross-border cooperation. He shares expertise on how AI can enhance institutional capacity and governance innovation internationally.

Adrian M. Velazquez Vazquez

Adrian M. Velazquez Vazquez (USA/Mexico) is Associate Professor and Director of the DPA program at the University of La Verne. Vice-President for North America of IASIA, his research spans policy analysis, comparative public administration, and international academic cooperation. He provides insight on how AI can enhance cross-border learning and strengthen global public administration programs.

Jeta Zagragja

Jeta Zagragja (Kosova) is Founder and CEO of AnchorzUp and a technology entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience in tech, finance, and non-profit sectors. She has co-founded and scaled multiple companies while mentoring startups and fostering innovation across the Balkans. Her expertise in digital transformation and operational excellence shows how AI can modernize public administration and citizen services.

Lulëzon Jagxhiu

Lulëzon Jagxhiu (Kosova) is Advisor to the Prime Minister on Information Technology and CTO. With over 20 years in telecommunications, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, he leads Kosova’s national technology initiatives. His expertise in strategic technology implementation and secure AI integration is key to building resilient and efficient public administration.

Art Alishani

Art Alishani (Kosova) is Junior Research Fellow at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Science, University of Tartu. His research focuses on AI applications in citizen-government interactions and democratic engagement. With extensive policy collaborations across European institutions, he provides cutting-edge insights on how AI can enhance citizen participation and administrative capacity.

Dardan Prebreza

Dardan Prebreza (Kosova) is Co-founder and Head of Security Services at Pretera. A cybersecurity expert with international experience in penetration testing and red teaming, he advises on securing AI systems in public administration, ensuring safe, robust, and resilient government digital services.

Bernarda B. Radoncic

Bernarda B. Radoncic (Kosova) is a biomedical engineer and innovation catalyst, specializing in medical technology, AI ethics, and regulatory compliance. She combines global healthcare experience with AI governance expertise, guiding ethical, inclusive, and skill-building initiatives in public administration. She will also moderate the panel on "Future-Proofing the Public Sector: The Missing AI Skills That Will Define Governance."

Celestino Barros

Celestino Barros (Cabo Verde) is Pro-Rector for Technology, Innovation, and Data at the University of Cabo Verde. With extensive experience in AI applications, cybersecurity, and digital transformation in higher education, he provides insight on building sustainable AI capacity in public institutions while fostering innovation and secure practices.

Alistair Croll

Alistair Croll (Keynote Speaker, Canada) is a serial entrepreneur, author, and tech innovator who has built, scaled, and advised startups globally. With decades of experience navigating technological disruption, he brings real-world insight into AI adoption, data-driven decision-making, and building systems that truly serve citizens.

Myesere Hoxha

Dr. Myesere Hoxha is an internationally recognized management consultant and digital transformation expert with more than twenty years of experience in public administration reform, governance, and sustainable development. As founder of Sigma BMC, she has partnered with the IFC (World Bank Group), GIZ, EBRD, and the EU, leading high-impact projects on quality management, ESG, and innovation. A CMC® Certified Management Consultant, CDTE® Digital Transformation Expert, and Lead Auditor, Dr. Hoxha has advised governments, municipalities, and enterprises on building institutional capacity through technology. Her recent work focuses on AI-driven governance frameworks and public sector resilience, making her a leading voice in aligning public administration with the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies.

Arta Statovci

Arta is a Chief AI Officer and CTO of Libraro with over a decade of experience working with C-suite executives from Fortune 500 companies (e.g., IBM, Unilever, Cargill), governments (e.g., Kosovo, Germany) and award-winning tech startups. Arta brings private-sector AI expertise to the public sector by establishing public–private partnerships, strengthening governance, and driving large-scale workforce upskilling. She launched Kosovo’s first national AI Bootcamp, backed by government and top AI companies, which has been featured in London, San Francisco, Singapore, and other global AI hubs.

Endrit Morina

Endrit Morina is an AI Trainer, Implementation Expert, and Instructional Designer at PECB. An IBM-certified AI Developer, he specializes in AI upskilling, digital innovation, and human-centered implementation in both professional development and public sector transformation. His work focuses on integrating advanced technologies like large language models and machine learning into real-world, ethical applications.

Diellon Bytyqi

Diellon Bytyqi is an AI systems engineer and implementation strategist building practical AI education and deployment pipelines across emerging markets. From leading intelligent automation rollouts in North America with BlackCube to shaping youth AI bootcamps in Kosovo and advising on digital governance at the UN, his work bridges frontier tech with institutional reform. His work spans from machine learning, private sector transformation to scalable AI education.