Celebrating the Successful Completion of HERAS Plus
We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the HERAS Plus project (Higher Education Research and Applied Science Plus) after three years and nine months of implementation.
Empowering Kosovo's Higher Education Sector
HERAS Plus aimed at significantly enhancing Kosovo's public higher education and research landscape. The project focused on achieving alignment with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the European Research Area (ERA), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 & 9, promoting quality assurance, economic and labor market relevance, international cooperation, and social inclusion.
The project was funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds of Austrian Development Cooperation, and co-financed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation in Kosovo (MESTI). The project was implemented by World University Service Austria (WUS AT, lead organization) together with Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI) and OeAD (Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation).
HERAS Plus played a pivotal role in:
- Shaping a Robust Legal Framework: The project supported the finalization of the Higher Education Law and established a new Kosovo Accreditation Agency Law. This strengthens the legal foundation for quality assurance within the Kosovan higher education system.
- Enhancing Quality Standards: HERAS Plus facilitated the revision and adoption of accreditation standards aligned with European guidelines, ensuring higher education institutions in Kosovo meet international benchmarks.
- Promoting Research Visibility: The project conceptualized a research activity tracking system (KRIS) for Kosovo, providing a crucial tool to monitor and showcase research output.
- Aligning with Strategic Goals: HERAS Plus contributed to the development of Kosovo's Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) for higher education and research, fostering alignment with national development goals.
- Building a Human Rights-Based Approach: The project championed the integration of a Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) into higher education practices, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
- Empowering Institutions: HERAS Plus supported public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in revising and developing strategic documents, allowing for more focused and effective institutional development.
- Strengthening Accreditation: The project contributed to strengthening institutional accreditation in public universities, ensuring the quality and effectiveness of educational programs.
- Fueling International Research Collaboration: HERAS Plus piloted a Horizon Europe proposal preparation fund and provided research collaboration grants for Kosovan and Austrian institutions, fostering international research partnerships.
- Investing in the Next Generation: The project awarded fellowship grants to nurture young Kosovan academics, fostering future research leaders.
- Enhancing Employability and Social Impact: HERAS Plus facilitated adjustments and training for the Kosovan National Contact Point (NCP) system for Horizon Europe, while also promoting labor market relevance, social impact, and HRBA through programmatic partnerships.
Promoting Inclusive Education
HERAS Plus also prioritized improved access to higher education for students from marginalized backgrounds. The project aimed at eliminating obstacles related to social, cultural, and economic factors, ensuring equitable participation.
We believe that HERAS Plus provided significant contributions to Kosovo's higher education and research system, paving the way for a more performance-based, competitive, diverse, and inclusive future. We would like to thank all our partners and our dedicated project team for their efforts to make this happen!
