Newsroom
"Group of Friends" formed to support higher education in Kosovo
PRISTINA 6 October 2006
PRISTINA, 6 October 2006 - The development of the University of Pristina and Kosovo's higher education system were discussed today at a meeting organized by the OSCE Mission, the Council of Europe and the European University Association.
International donors and partners who participated in the event decided to form a "Group of Friends" to support higher education. Local stakeholders and experts will be fully involved in future meetings, which should be organized by the University Rectorate.
The Group agreed to meet regularly and serve as a resource for the University, providing support by mobilizing networks of experts and assisting in identifying partner institutions in Western Europe and beyond.
"The reforms at the University of Pristina, and in the higher education system are only beginning. The recent election of a new Rectorate provides a unique momentum in this respect," said Jens Modvig, acting Head of the OSCE Mission. "It is important that concerted efforts are taken to maximize support and the effectiveness of donor-funded projects."
Next week, Mission representatives will meet with the Rector of the University of Pristina to discuss with him the conclusions of today's meeting and how the support of the "Group of Friends" could best be provided.
The meeting follows informal discussions among donors, actors, beneficiaries and other stakeholders on the need for a more open and co-ordinated approach to higher education support initiatives in Kosovo, particularly relating to the University of Pristina.
The "Group of Friends" includes the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, the Council of Europe, the European University Association, the Stability Pact, the European Commission, the Academic Training Association, the European Stability Initiative, as well as the Pristina liaison offices of Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
International donors and partners who participated in the event decided to form a "Group of Friends" to support higher education. Local stakeholders and experts will be fully involved in future meetings, which should be organized by the University Rectorate.
The Group agreed to meet regularly and serve as a resource for the University, providing support by mobilizing networks of experts and assisting in identifying partner institutions in Western Europe and beyond.
"The reforms at the University of Pristina, and in the higher education system are only beginning. The recent election of a new Rectorate provides a unique momentum in this respect," said Jens Modvig, acting Head of the OSCE Mission. "It is important that concerted efforts are taken to maximize support and the effectiveness of donor-funded projects."
Next week, Mission representatives will meet with the Rector of the University of Pristina to discuss with him the conclusions of today's meeting and how the support of the "Group of Friends" could best be provided.
The meeting follows informal discussions among donors, actors, beneficiaries and other stakeholders on the need for a more open and co-ordinated approach to higher education support initiatives in Kosovo, particularly relating to the University of Pristina.
The "Group of Friends" includes the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, the Council of Europe, the European University Association, the Stability Pact, the European Commission, the Academic Training Association, the European Stability Initiative, as well as the Pristina liaison offices of Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.