During the General Assembly of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), held from April 9 to 11, 2025, in Paphos, Cyprus, with delegations from over 40 countries in attendance, the publication “The Role of ENQA’s Evaluation in the Development of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA)” was officially presented.

The presentation was conducted by the President of the State Council of Quality (SCQ), Professor Hasnije Ilazi, and the Director General of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), Naim Gashi.

This presentation highlighted the concrete results of the reforms implemented by KAA since its last evaluation by ENQA, including the enhancement of the legal framework, strengthening of institutional capacities, and alignment with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) for Quality Assurance.

Professor Ilazi and Director Gashi emphasized that ENQA’s evaluation served as a roadmap for KAA’s institutional transformation, significantly strengthening its operational and financial independence, while also enhancing its credibility among key stakeholders-such as higher education institutions and international partners.

Particular attention was given to the law adopted by the Assembly of Kosovo in 2023, which ensured the independent functioning of KAA as a regulatory body and reinforced the role of the SCQ in decision-making processes. The expansion of professional staff, the improvement of digital infrastructure, and the establishment of new divisions for quality enhancement and thematic analysis were also highlighted as major milestones.

The latest ENQA review findings were also discussed during the presentation. This evaluation is considered a major achievement, particularly considering the complexity of the reforms undertaken and the external challenges KAA has faced.

KAA considers that the ENQA evaluation process has not only contributed to raising internal standards but also fostered a sustained culture of quality improvement and institutional reflection.

Despite these significant advancements, KAA faced several critical challenges during the evaluation process. Among them was the impact of external factors beyond the agency’s direct control, which nonetheless affect its institutional perception. Furthermore, the complexity of the situation raised questions about what matters most in an evaluation: the process, the current state, or future potential? Another challenge lay in the interpretation of the local context in relation to European standards, which in some instances led to misunderstandings or incomplete assessments of the agency’s work.

KAA representatives expressed their appreciation for the continued collaboration with ENQA and peer agencies across Europe, underlining the importance of these partnerships in further integrating Kosovo into the European Higher Education Area.

The presentation sparked interest among the forum participants. Representatives of peer agencies from across Europe raised questions about KAA’s recent developments and the tangible benefits of the ENQA evaluation process, recognizing Kosovo’s experience as a success story and a valuable model for countries undergoing transition.