Higher Education in Kosovo

Recently, all 29 private universities in Kosovo went through an accreditation process. None received sufficient enough scores to be able to call themselves a university (although the American University in Kosovo seems to be some kind of exception due to its relationship with the Rochester Insitute of Technology and the main issue appears to be that its enrolment is under 3000 students, not quality of education).

Here's an excerpt from the Prime Minister's website (click to read the original site).

"Based on the report offered by the British Council for Accreditation, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo made the decision: other than the American University of Kosovo no Private Higher Education Institution (Bartës Privat i Arsimit të Lartë - BPAL) in the Republic of Kosovo currently fulfils the criteria to be called a University.

1. No Private Higher Education Institution fulfils the criteria to be licensed to be given the status of University.

2. No Private Higher Education Institution which has applied under names such as Academy, Faculty, Institute etc. fulfils the conditions for accreditation and licensing.

3. No Private Higher Education Institution which has applied for accreditation with the aim of being licensed for the first time will be accredited or licensed.

4. No Private Higher Education Institution fulfils the conditions for accepting new students for the academic year 2008-2009.

5. All the Private Higher Education Institutions are obliged to make new applications for accreditation to the Kosovo Agency for Accreditation.

6. From 1 October 2008 the process of accreditation must start in all private institutions at beginner and intermediate level, including the Public University of Prishtina."

Some other links for further reading:

Life in Kosovo discusses private universitie's accreditation
Life in Kosovo Returns to Discussion of Education Quality (from January, 2008, I think)
Kosovo Accreditation Agency
Country Profile: Kosovo (from the World Bank, this focuses on the education system)
Higher Education in Kosovo: Major Changes... (this is an academic paper available for free download)
Gap Institute for Advanced Studies (a fair amount of info on higher education in Kosovo)

How does this affect me? I don't think it does. I'm with the public University of Pristina, which will begin its accreditation process on October 1, when the fall semester starts.