On 27 February 2023, the project supported the official ceremony of launching the newly established Organization of Kosovan-Austrian Alumni (OKAA). The event was greeted by the Member of European Parliament Lukas Mandel, MESTI Minister Arberie Nagavci, Austrian Ambassador Christoph Weidinger, University of Prishtina Rector Qerim Qerimi and the project Team Leader Aqim Emurli.

The OKAA is a non-profit legal entity, which is expected to further promote the internationalization and academic mobility between Kosovo and Austria, share lessons learnt and act as a catalyst for generating new ideas. In the upcoming period and within the project duration, different ways are sought to provide specific support and assistance with the aim of functionalizing the OKAA and helping to fulfil its mission.

All speakers at the event were of the opinion that OKAA needs additional capacity building support that will make sure that is headed in the right direction, becomes self-sustainable, fund-raises on its own and gets involved in the higher education sector as new stakeholder – at all time by bringing the Austrian experiences on board.

From 23 to 25 January 2023, a study visit for the Organization of Kosovar-Austria Alumni (OKAA) to Austria was organized by HERAS Plus. The delegation consisted of the OKAA Board members.

The main purpose of the study visit was to build contacts, and establish collaboration, with Austrian and Kosovan institutions/organizations in the sector of higher education, in particular with regards to the alumni related issues. The overall aim was empowering the OKAA Board through exposing its members to new ideas for potential activities and opportunities for possible cooperation with Austrian counterparts.

The delegation met with representatives from various organizations and institutions, such as : Mr. Lukas Mandl Member of European Parliament; Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research; University of Vienna; University of Graz; Mr. Manfred Brandner, Honorary Consul of Kosovo; Centre for Southeast European Studies, Kosovar Business Network in Austria and our consortium members OEAD and WUS Austria.

One of the key takeaways from the visit was learning about the various structures and resources available to support alumni networks as well as clear communication and regular engagement with alumni. Another important insight was the potential for collaborations and partnerships between different alumni networks and organizations.

OKAA plans to use the knowledge and inspiration gained during the study visit to further develop and strengthen its own alumni network in Kosovo. Additionally, the OKAA will also explore potential collaborations and partnerships with other alumni networks and organizations.

study visit

HERAS Plus organized a get-together event on November 3, 2021 with Board Members of the Organization of Kosovar-Austrian Alumni (OKAA).

The event was attended by Mr. Ulrich Hörmann, Head of Finance, OeAD and honorary founding member of OKAA. Mr. Aqim Emurli, HERAS Plus Team Leader spoke about the importance of uniting and empowering the alumni by creating a sustainable network for future Kosovo scholars trained in Austria. The event made way for the founding members to discuss matters regarding the statute of OKAA and a set of concrete steps for building their capacities that HERAS Plus could provide in the forthcoming period, including grants, capacity building programme, visits, etc.

OKAA is a non-profit foundation, registered based on the Kosovo legislation.  The organization will work to further promote the internationalization and academic mobility between Kosovo and Austria, share lessons learnt and act as a catalyst for generating new ideas to be funded by possible future donors.