On 14 October 2021, HERAS Plus was pleased to promote the Baseline Assessment (BA) Report for the University Kadri Zeka (UKZ) in Gjilan, which was prepared with expert support from the Project.

The BA is an overview of the University’s current institutional development and it records the progress and challenges. In addition, the BA identifies a significant number of areas for improvement, which are expressed in the form of Recommendations with clear mechanisms and indicators. The key recommendations that emerged from this assessment are expected to be supported by the Project based on the earmarked funds for public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The BA was presented by the project expert Mr. Bujar Gallopeni who was leading the drafting process of the document.

The event was attended by the senior management of UKZ Gjilan, academics, administrative staff and students – whereas addressed officially by the Rector, Mr. Bajram Kosumi, and HERAS Plus Team Leader, Mr. Aqim Emurli.

In his official address, Team Leader, Mr. Emurli, noted that the Baseline Assessments, which are conducted for six public Universities, in fact, are the first ones of its kind in Kosovo. The assessments, and the BA Reports, are a modest contribution, but in the right direction and using the correct approach, with an impact reaching beyond the public HEIs in Kosovo.

The Rector, Mr. Kosumi, expressed his enthusiasm and hope that the cooperation between UKZ Gjilan and HERAS Plus will further streamline and develop based on the findings of BA Report. In this regards, the Rector highlighted that he, and the University leadership team, are looking forward to the Project’s support also in the process of implementing the key recommendations that came from the BA.

The event concluded with the ceremonial signing of the MoU between the Project and UKZ Gjilan, commit on working together in the areas of strategic development of the University.