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On December 3, 2024, the Director-General of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), Naim Gashi, hosted a meeting with Ms. Marina Grubišić, Head of the Evaluation Division, and Ms. Mia Đikić, Head of the Research Division at the Croatian Agency for Science and Higher Education (AZVO). The discussion focused on the benefits KAA will gain from the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) project aimed at improving the quality of higher education in the Western Balkans. Director Gashi highlighted KAA's achievements in completing legislation, regulations, and criteria that enable the full implementation of European quality standards. He emphasized that KAA has tripled its staff, [...]

The State Council of Quality (SCQ) of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), in its meeting held on November 27, 2024, established criteria for study program holders in the field of arts. The new criteria are grounded in the Law on KAA, European standards and guidelines, and the Standards and Accreditation Manual of KAA. Before making this decision, KAA engaged in discussions with representatives of higher education institutions and adopted best practices from several European countries, including Finland, Croatia, Slovenia, and others. The SCQ decided that, upon submitting applications for accreditation or reaccreditation of study programs in the field of arts, higher [...]

On November 18, 2024, the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) initiated the institutional accreditation process at the University of Prishtina. This is the first accreditation to be carried out under the new accreditation standards based on the approved Law on the Kosovo Accreditation Agency. The team of experts assessing the University of Prishtina is led by Professor Melita Kovacevic from the University of Zagreb. The team also includes Deputy Rector Magdalena Platis from the University of Bucharest, Professor Mauro Zarreli from the National Research Council in Naples, Italy, and student expert Marija Vasilevska. This week, two teams of international accreditation experts will [...]

On 15.11.2024, the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) hosted a comprehensive training session for experts who will participate in the institutional and program accreditation processes. The training focused on recent changes to accreditation standards and regulations, aimed at ensuring a clear understanding of the evolving criteria and compliance expectations. Participants also received detailed guidance on drafting evaluation reports and accurately calculating standard compliance. This initiative underscores KAA's commitment to maintaining high standards and continuous quality improvement in the sector of higher education in the Republic of Kosovo.    

On November 12, 2024, the Assembly Committee on Education, Science, Technology, Innovation, Culture, Youth, and Sports visited the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA). They were received by the President of the State Quality Council (SQC), Professor Hasnije Ilazi; the Director General of KAA, Naim Gashi; SQC member Mirlinda Batalli; and other Agency staff. The delegation from the Assembly included the Chair of the Committee, Ardian Gola; Vice-Chair Albena Reshitaj; and members of parliament Arjeta Fejza, Eliza Hoxha, and Arjeta Rexhepi. Professor Ilazi expressed her gratitude to the members of the Committee and the Assembly for approving the KAA Law, which has paved [...]

On November 1, 2024, national and international members of the Kosovo State Quality Council (SCQ) of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (AKA) conducted an official visit to “Haxhi Zeka” University in Peja. During this visit, they met with the Rector, Professor Armand Krasniqi, as well as the institution’s deans and vice-deans. The meeting focused on the implementation of revised quality standards and other relevant issues concerning accreditation and collaboration between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the SCQ. While in Peja, the SCQ also held its 130th meeting, during which it reviewed and decided upon the reports of international experts evaluating doctoral programs, [...]

As part of the collaboration in the field of quality assurance in higher education, Naim Gashi, the Director General of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (AKA), participated in the annual international conference held in Las Vegas with the invitation of Ahmad Zargari, President of the Board of the American Accreditation Agency - ATMAE. This conference is one of the most significant events in the United States regarding study programs in technology, management, and applied engineering. The conference presents an excellent opportunity for professors, administrators, students, and representatives from business and industry who are passionate about advancing their knowledge and skills in these [...]

The Director of Evaluation and Accreditation at KAA, Arianit Krasniqi, welcomed the delegation from the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM), accompanied by the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies (FSI) in Pristina, Professor Islam Hasani. The purpose of this visit was to explore a potential partnership in developing study programs in the field of Islamic studies between FSI and UTM. During the discussions, UTM representatives expressed their interest in collaborating with the Faculty of Islamic Studies to expand study opportunities in this field, emphasizing the importance of academic and cultural exchange. KAA officials presented Kosovo’s quality assurance standards and KAA’s [...]

The President of the State Council for Quality (SCQ), Professor Hasnije Ilazi, and the Director General of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), Naim Gashi, participated in the General Assembly of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) taking place in Malta. The Assembly focused on the review of the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG 2015). The new European standards are scheduled to take effect in 2027, with member states provided a transitional period for their adaptation. On the eve of the ENQA Assembly, the KAA delegation met with ENQA President Douglas Blackstock, the newly appointed [...]

On October 22, 2024, the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (AKA) held a meeting with representatives of higher education institutions (HEIs) that offer study programs in the field of arts. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the suitability of heads of study programs in the field of arts and to gather contributions from experts in this area. During the meeting, representatives from various HEIs shared their experiences regarding the challenges and opportunities related to the recognition of academic degrees in the arts field. Their proposals were highly valuable, highlighting the specific nature of artistic programs. The approaches presented by the HEIs [...]