“Modernizing the 3rd cycle at the University of Prishtina and Developing a PhD Program at the Faculty of Economics” Project number: TEMPUS XK-TEMPUS-JPCR Nice, 25 th -27 th September 2014

 KAA as a public agency responsible for the evaluation of quality at HEIs in Kosovo;  Founded by MEST (2008) in accordance with the LHE (2003/14);  Establishment and development of KAA - supported by Austrian Government (KAIP Project);  Contacts and cooperation with three Austrian bodies for QA and accreditation (AQA, Ӧ AR, FHR) and BAC;

 National Quality Council (NQC) professional-decision-making body 6 local and 3 international members (USA, Austria and UK)  KAA Office Permanent administrative structure Director and six current administrative staff

 KAA has a legal basis for the accreditation of all higher education institutions that offer or propose to offer higher education programs that lead to the award of academic degrees  KAA is subject to Law on Higher Education, Administrative Instruction on Accreditation of HEIs, Administrative Instruction on Accreditation of HPSs, Administrative Instruction on Establishment of KAA, Statute of NQC, Statute of KAA

 Full member - European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education – ENQA (2014)  Full member - Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education – CEENQA (2010)  Full member – The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education –INQAAHE (2013)  Application for inclusion in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (2014)

Step 1 Self-Evaluation report and submission of application by the institution Step 2 External evaluation by international experts and site visit Step 3 Decision by National Quality Council Step 4 Follow-up procedure

- Mission - Organization and management - Study plans (curriculums, International comparability, academic freedom etc.) - Teaching staff (PT, FT) - Research (linkage to teaching) - Quality Assurance (policies and procedures) - Facilities (tools and equipment according European standards) - Finances (sustainability) - Internationalisation

 Evaluation procedures for PhD Studies are subject of the Regulation on PhD Studies which sets out the criteria and procedures for the accreditation of doctoral study programs at accredited higher education institutions in Kosovo  The Regulation is in full compliance with the Law on Higher Education which foresees provision of independent doctoral study programs

PhD study programs may be offered:  by accredited institutions by KAA or another recognized body  by institutions that have been accredited to offer BA and MA study programs in the same area and that have graduated at least two cohorts of students in MA level  only in areas of study in which the institution has academic staff who has published and been cited in refereed international journals

Institutions willing to offer PhD studies must have:  Staff requirements – each doctoral study program to have at least three full-time professors or associate professors and are active in research  Regulations – each program should clearly define the admission criteria and supervision arrangements. These must be consistent with their Statute and other academic regulations and must be approved by KAA.  Resources – demonstrate the existence of resources to support student work (laboratories, library, IT, resources and budgetary support for participation at international Conferences).

Institutions willing to offer PhD studies must have:  Quality assurance - robust QA procedures and system to ensure quality of research and compatibility with other European programs  Research culture - institutions must demonstrate their commitment to research and research planning  Research plan - for each doctoral studies program which extends for at least one year beyond the planned duration of doctoral studies in the proposed area of study  Foreign language - Regulations which specify the requirements for knowledge of at least one foreign language (English, German or French)

Currently only the public University of Prishtina has undergone the evaluation for PhD study programs. The figures are the following: Year Appl Apr Total25 PhD Study programs

Thank you for your attention!