Support to HE in Kosova 2008-2011: Organization of the training seminar on “Joint Degrees & Academic Recognition”
Prishtina. WUS Austria Office in Prishtina in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Kosova (MESTK) organized the training seminar in Prishtina during July 7th-8th, 2010.
Understanding the joint degree concept and its development, and the role of Higher Education System in the Economic Development of Kosova, were the main topics elaborated during this seminar.
The seminar started at 10.00 o’clock, on July 7th with the speeches
delivered by:
· Prof. Dr. Muje Rugova, Rector of the University of Prishtina
· Prof. Dr. Avdulla Alija, Director of Higher Education Department at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Kosova
· Christian Geosits, Austrian Development Cooperation
· But Dedaj, WUS Austria Office in Prishtina
During the opening speech, Prof. Dr. Muje Rugova, Rector of the University of Prishtina stated the importance of organizing such events as a contribution on the development of the Higher Education System. Further he stated:”This seminar will be very useful in giving us the feedback for improving the quality and developing new programs in our university”.
Prof. Dr. Avdulla Alija, Director of the Higher Education at the MESTK, presented that the seminar topic is decided jointly with WUS and MESTK, and it represents a strategic interest of development of the future study programs in the Higher Education System. In addition, it aligns with the second phase (2010-2015) of the “Strategy for Development of Higher Education in Kosova 2005 – 2015”. This, way, development of joint programs represents the future development of the entire Kosova Higher Education System.
Christian Geosits, from the Austrian Development Cooperation, emphasized the great contribution and investments that the Austrian Government is donating in developing the Higher Education in Kosova.
At the end of the opening session But Dedaj from WUS Austria, Prishtina Office welcomed the participants.
The Two-days training seminar consisted of presentations and workshop part. Topics of the seminar were presented by the following international and national experts:
1. Higher Education in Kosova, Priorities and Challenges – Prof. Dr. Avdulla Alija , Director of Higher Education Department at the MESTK
2. The role of TEMPUS for Joint Degrees – Kimete Canaj, Coordinator Kosovo TEMPUS Office
3. Linkage between Higher Education and Research in Kosova - Dukagjin Pupovci, KEC
4. NARIC Kosova - Mirsade Voca & Qamile Sinanaj
5. Introduction to Joint Degrees – general principles, Tia Loukkola, European University Association (EUA)
6. Recommendations of the European University Association developed for the planning of a new joint degree as well as for internal QA of a degree - Tia Loukkola, European University Association (EUA)
7. Legal tools for joint programs - Heinz Kasparovsky, ENIC NARIC AUSTRIA
8. Joint degrees – a challenge for quality assurance, Elisabeth Fiorioli, Austrian Accreditation Council
Discussions during the presentation rounds and workshops led in drawing up very important conclusions, which will be forwarded to the decision-making bodies of the Higher Education System of Kosova.
In the event were invited Management of the UP (Rector & vice rectors, deans & vice deans), 17 officers of the Office for Academic Development, CDP+ & MSDP professors, EU-LER coordinators, Head of ENIC NARIC offices in the Region (Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia & BiH), ENIC NARIC Kosova, TEMPUS Office in Kosova, Kosova Accreditation Agency etc. Number of participants was around 40.
The seminar was implemented in the frame of WUS Austria project “Support to Higher Education in Kosova 2008 – 2010”, financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation, and took place at the premises of the MESTK. The seminar was co-financed by the MESTK.
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