Heads of state institutions, representatives of the U.S. Embassy, representatives of higher education institutions, representatives from countries of the region, students, professors, and friends of higher education attended the gala evening organized by the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) on 19.05.2026, on the occasion of its admission to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the United States.

The President of the State Council of Quality (SCQ), Professor Hasnije Ilazi, in her opening remarks, thanked all higher education stakeholders, representatives of local and international institutions, as well as representatives of civil society, for their cooperation and support in the process of KAA’s recognition by CHEA.

President Ilazi stated that this recognition by the United States of America is not only a formal admission, but also a confirmation of the quality, value, and professionalism of Kosovo’s quality assurance system.

She emphasized that quality in higher education is not measured by the size of states, but by the values they represent. The President of the SCQ pointed out that the path to this achievement was filled with challenges and required vision, commitment, and patience, but above all, the ability to demonstrate that Kosovo is on the right path.

The Acting President of Kosova, Albulena Haxhiu, in her remarks, stated that the recognition of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation in the United States of America (CHEA) is one of the most important achievements for higher education in Kosovo.

She emphasized that this recognition is evidence of the commitment to quality, international standards, and the credibility of the country’s academic institutions. The Acting President congratulated the Kosovo Accreditation Agency, universities, professors, and students, stressing that education remains one of the most important pillars of Kosovo’s development.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova, Albin Kurti, stated that the official recognition of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation of the United States of America proves that when a state invests in knowledge, criteria, and integrity, it gains authority and dignity.

According to Prime Minister Kurti, through this recognition, the Republic of Kosovo is speaking the universal language of quality, credibility, and knowledge. He added that this achievement also marks the beginning of a major responsibility: for our universities to produce free minds, capable professionals, and citizens who make the state better today and tomorrow than it was yesterday.

KAA presented a recognition award to the U.S. Embassy in Prishtina for its institutional and financial support. The award was accepted by the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Anu Prattipati, who congratulated KAA on its recognition by CHEA in the United States.

The Director General of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency, Naim Gashi, stated that KAA now has full functional and operational capacities to implement quality standards in accordance with the most advanced European and American practices. He emphasized that these developments create significant opportunities for students, graduates, and higher education institutions in Kosovo.

During this gala evening, the Kosovo Accreditation Agency presented recognition awards to institutions and individuals who have contributed to strengthening the quality assurance system and to achieving KAA’s international recognitions, including the Embassy of the United States of America, the Information Society Agency (ASHI) within the Ministry of Digitalization and Public Administration, the Budget Department within the Ministry of Finance, as well as Professor Kamal Shahrabi.