Pristina, 14 July 2025 – The Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) has been accepted as a full member of the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), following a positive evaluation by an independent panel of experts from the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).

In an official letter sent on Monday, the President of EQAR, Mr. Stéphane Lauwick, wrote to KAA’s Director General: “Dear Mr. Naim Gashi, The Register Committee has considered your application of 2024-02-02 for (renewal of) inclusion on the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR). Your application has been approved and your inclusion shall be valid until 2029-12-31. Please accept my congratulations on your successful application and my good wishes for your work on behalf of the entire Register Committee.”

EQAR is the highest European body that registers agencies operating in accordance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ESG).

Membership in EQAR represents international recognition of KAA’s tireless and dedicated efforts to meet the highest European standards, significantly enhancing the credibility and trustworthiness of the higher education system in Kosovo.

As a result, the diplomas of Kosovar students will enjoy guaranteed international recognition and validity—both academically and professionally—across Europe and beyond. EQAR registration indicates that a diploma originates from a programme or institution that adheres to rigorous quality standards, providing assurance to both students and employers about its value.

Furthermore, higher education institutions in Kosovo will gain full access to European Union programmes in the field of education, opportunities for international recognition, partnerships, funding, student recruitment, and long-term development.

With its admission to EQAR, KAA is now recognized as a credible institution not only nationally but also internationally, standing on equal footing with other European agencies in evaluating higher education institutions across the continent and beyond.

Following the confirmation of KAA’s admission to EQAR, the President of the State Council of Quality, Prof. Hasnije Ilazi, stated that Kosovo is the first country in the Western Balkans to achieve full membership in this international institution.

“This is a national success and a monumental achievement for Kosovar students and graduates, as their diplomas now carry the seal of European quality. It raises the image and credibility of Kosovo as a country with higher education aligned with EU standards,” said Ilazi.

KAA’s Director General, Mr. Naim Gashi, emphasized that this success is the outcome of a long and determined process:

“In 2020, we developed the roadmap to fulfill the 14 ESG standards. After becoming an affiliate member of ENQA in September 2022 and submitting our official EQAR application in December 2023, a team of five international experts visited Kosovo on 1 July 2024 and delivered a positive evaluation,” said Gashi.

Chairperson Ilazi and Director Gashi extended their sincere gratitude to the KAA Board, professional staff, Minister of Education Mrs. Arbërie Nagavci, the Government, the Assembly, civil society, donors, and international partner agencies that supported the process—especially the counterpart agencies from Croatia, Austria, and Germany.