SHER – Expert visit to Kosovo
From March 4-7, 2025, WUS Austria conducted an expert visit as part of the SHER Programme. During the visit, two key agreements were signed: the co-financing agreement between the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the SHER Programme, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the SHER Programme and the University of Applied Sciences in Ferizaj (UASF).
The SHER Advisory Board Meeting provided updates on the progress of the programme’s implementation. Additionally, a series of stakeholder consultations were held to explore ways to address current needs in the higher education sector. These consultations included discussions with the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), the International Business College Mitrovica (IBCM), HANDIKOS (an organization advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities), and national experts including on gender equality in higher education.
As part of the visit, the Selection Board Meeting for the SHER PhD and Postdoc Fellowship Grants also took place as well as an info session on the SHER Social Dimension Grant Scheme. Furthermore, representatives from our Austrian partner organizations in the Consortium participated in various meetings and workshops, including discussions with International Offices of Higher Education Institutions (OeAD), the Organization of Kosovar-Austrian Alumni (OeAD), a Working Group Meeting on the Draft Law for Scientific Research Activity and Innovation (ZSI), and the Rectorate of the University of Prishtina (ZSI).
The programme SHER - Sustainable Higher Education and Research in Kosovo aims to contribute to a sustainable, evidence-based, needs-oriented and gender-responsive Higher Education and Research sector in Kosovo that is in line with the principles of EHEA, ERA, and SDG 4 and 9 and is implemented by WUS Austria (project lead) together with ZSI and OeAD and is funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation and co-financed by the Kosovo Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI).
