On April 7, 2025, the President of the State Council of Quality (SCQ), Professor Hasnije Ilazi, and the Director General of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), Naim Gashi, were received at the University of Zagreb by the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Professor Jurica Pavičić.

The meeting served as a valuable platform for a fruitful exchange on Croatia’s experiences in the development and implementation of joint and double degree programs in higher education.

Professor Ilazi emphasized that the KAA is currently in the process of drafting new regulations and guidelines that will enable higher education institutions in Kosovo to establish joint and double degree programs in partnership with international academic institutions. She highlighted that Croatia’s successful practices in this area offer critical insights that can significantly contribute to enhancing quality and fostering internationalization in Kosovo’s higher education system.

Professor Pavičić shared specific experiences from the University of Zagreb and noted that, in practice, double degree programs have proven to be more stable and effective than joint programs. He also expressed his willingness to share best practices and support initiatives aimed at deepening international academic cooperation with Kosovo.

Director Gashi commended the Croatian counterparts for their engagement and noted the significant progress KAA has made in recent years in aligning with European quality assurance standards (ESG). He added that Kosovo has successfully built national cohesion around quality assurance in higher education, reflecting a strong commitment to reform and integration into the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

The KAA delegation, accompanied by SCQ international member Professor Maja Martinović, also held a meeting with professor Karmela Barišić, who served for more than a decade as Chair of the Accreditation Council of the Croatian Agency for Science and Higher Education (AZVO). The discussion focused on best practices in quality assurance and the implementation of European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) in higher education.

During their stay in Zagreb, KAA leadership also met with Professor Melita Kovačević, who is currently engaged in the revision process of doctoral standards within the KAA framework.

This visit represents a meaningful step toward strengthening institutional cooperation and opens new avenues for academic exchange and quality enhancement in Kosovo’s study programs.