Promoting Institutional Development in Higher Education and Research in Kosovo

The project „Higher KOS – Promoting Institutional Development in Higher Education and Research in Kosovo“ contributed to the well-functioning of the higher education and research system in Kosovo along European values, practices and standards.
Its purpose was to effectively and sustainably implement the principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in the public Kosovar Higher Education (HE) institutions and to sustainably enhance Kosovo’s integration into the European Research Area (ERA).
The intervention focused on three thematic areas, which led to three expected results, each contributing to the above mentioned objectives:

(1)    The quality of education offered at public HE institutions was enhanced through improvement and labour market oriented teaching and learning (didactics, planning), and improved quality assurance mechanisms.
(2)    The system of research promotion in Kosovo was improved substantially through developing capacities and establishing a national research fund and administration that was functioning according to international standards.
(3)    Quality management and governance as well as administrative capacities of main stakeholders (MEST, universities) were further developed in order to be more efficient, transparent, effective, and customer-oriented.

The three thematic areas were divided into ten components, thus allowing tailor-made measures for each of the expected results, specifically targeted at the direct beneficiaries. Direct target institutions were: The public universities of Kosovo (University of Prishtina, University of Prizren, University of Mitrovica), the MEST, the Kosovo Accreditation Agency, the Kosovo NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) Office, and the National Research Council (approx. 2.000 staff members in total). Indirect beneficiaries were the student populations of the three public universities (ca. 55.000), as well as the students of private universities and graduates with foreign degrees returning to Kosovo (approx. another 10.000). Through enhanced research capacities and improved RTDI (Research, Technological Development and Innovation) structures in Kosovo, economic development and entrepreneurship were stimulated from which the whole society benefits. To this end, the project also contributed to poverty reduction and economic development.

Team:

• Magª. Johanna Scheck (project leader)
• Magª. Pamela Bartar, MAS
• Magª. Elke Dall
• Mag. Dr. Klaus Schuch
• MMagª. Katharina Riedmann

Section: Research Policy & Development

Partners:

• Kosovar Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
• Kosovo Accreditation Agency
• NARIC Center Kosovo
• OeAD GmbH
• University of Prishtina
• University of Prizren
• World University Service Austria (Coordinator)

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Tags: Balkan, education, governance, higher education, internationalisation, Kosovo