OSCE Mission Head welcomes establishment of new University Senate in Kosovo

PRISTINA, 2 June 2006 - Ambassador Werner Wnendt, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, today welcomed the establishment of the University of Pristina Senate following successful and transparent elections at Kosovo's highest academic institution.

The OSCE-led University Central Election Commission on 30 May announced the final election results, confirming that the process to elect Faculty Councils and a University Senate had been free and fair.

"These free and transparent elections were a pre-requisite towards establishing competent and sustainable management at the University, as it seeks to achieve European standards for the benefit of future generations in Kosovo," Ambassador Wnendt said.

At its first meeting today, the Senate announced that the position of University Rector will be advertised. This will open the final phase of re-installing lawful governance at the University of Pristina, the lack of which has paralysed the public institution for the past 18 months.

Elections of the faculty Deans are expected to take place within the next 10 days and a new Rector is expected to be elected by the end of June.

"The day of the Rector's election will be a decisive day for the University - and an important day for the young people of Kosovo, who can hope to get a better higher education," Wnendt said. "I am optimistic that the new Rector will use this momentum to establish transparent and fair working conditions for all University staff and increase the quality of academic performance."