SCQ Approves the New PhD Standards and the Regulation on Monitoring and Post-Accreditation Procedures
The State Council of Quality (SCQ) of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), at its meeting held on 30 June 2025, approved the revised Standards for Doctoral Programmes as well as the updated Regulation on Monitoring and Post-Accreditation Procedures.
This decision follows an inclusive and consultative process involving all key stakeholders in higher education in the Republic of Kosovo.
The newly adopted PhD evaluation standards are the result of a comprehensive five-year review process initiated after the original standards were first introduced in 2020. The revised standards are structured across seven key areas: institutional framework, admission criteria, programme content, research environment, supervision, assessment, and research outcomes.
The revision process was supported by the SHER Programme, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), co-financed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and implemented by the consortium of WUS Austria, ZSI, and OeAD.
In parallel, and with the objective of strengthening the quality assurance system and promoting greater transparency in higher education, the SCQ also approved the revised Regulation on Monitoring and Post-Accreditation Procedures.
The Regulation clearly stipulates that monitoring must take place at least once during the accreditation cycle and may involve on-site visits or remote evaluations. Monitoring includes the verification of compliance with accreditation conditions, changes in academic staff, infrastructure and resources, as well as internal quality assurance mechanisms.
As part of the post-accreditation process, higher education institutions are required to submit an implementation plan addressing the recommendations made by international experts. This plan must be structured, well-documented, and time-bound. Following the submission of the self-improvement report, the KAA appoints international experts to verify compliance with recommendations and to formally conclude the accreditation cycle.
At today’s meeting, the SCQ also reviewed several reports submitted by international accreditation experts and rendered decisions accordingly.
Full member of:
More From Latest News
KAA Delegation Received by the Ambassador of Kosova in Brussels
On the eve of the official visit to Brussels, the President of the State Quality Council (SQC), Professor Hasnije Ilazi, and the Director General of the Kosova Accreditation Agency (KAA), Naim Gashi, were received by [...]
KAA and MES Delegation Conducts Official Visit to Brussels
A delegation of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) and the Ministry of Education and Science (MASH) conducted an official visit to Brussels, where they met with representatives of the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher [...]
KAA Seeks Croatian Expertise in Developing Joint and Double Degree Programs
The President of the State Council of Quality (SCQ), Professor Hasnije Ilazi, the Director General of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), Naim Gashi, and the international member of the SCQ from Croatia, Professor Maja Martinović, [...]
CHEA President: We are proud to welcome KAA into the international community
On the occasion of the recognition of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency as an accrediting authority by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation in the United States of America (CHEA), CHEA President, Nasser H. Paydar, through [...]
Professor Hasnije Ilazi Recognized as Honorary President of Kosovo Accreditation Agency
The State Council of Quality (SCQ) and the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), upon the completion of her mandate, have proclaimed Professor Hasnije Ilazi Honorary President of KAA, in recognition of her “vision, leadership, and contribution [...]
KAA Organized a Gala Evening on the Occasion of Its Recognition by CHEA-USA
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 [...]