On 30 September 2025, the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA), with the support of the SHER Programme, successfully co-organized the 3rd Annual Conference on Higher Education and Quality Assurance under the theme: “Internationalized Higher Education: Overcoming Borders and Bringing People Together.”

The conference brought together over 150 participants and representatives from more than 15 countries, including distinguished experts, rectors, professors, ambassadors, policymakers, and international quality assurance organizations. The conference was officially opened and addressed by President of the State Council of Quality of KAA, Ms. Hasnije Ilazi, Croatian Ambassador to Kosovo, H. E. Danijela Barisic, Ambassador of Finland to Kosovo, H. E. Eevamarie Laaksonen, Chargé d’Affairs a.i./Deputy Head of Mission, Austrian Embassy in Kosovo, Ms. Clarissa Castek and the Managing Director of the WUS Austria, Ms. Veronika Nitsche

The keynote speeches set the tone for the day. Ms. Doris Herrmann, Vice-President of the ENQA Board, and Mr. Peter Levente Lakatos, MAB Director General and ENQA Board Member, reflected on the importance of trust as the cornerstone of European Higher Education. They emphasized that internationalization and strong quality assurance frameworks are essential to maintaining credibility, fostering student mobility, and keeping pace with the evolving standards of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Complementing this, Mr. Aleksandar Susnjar, Director of EQAR, addressed the vital role of compliance with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). He underlined that adherence to these standards not only enhances the credibility and comparability of higher education systems but also ensures their recognition on the global stage.

The four thematic sessions that followed deepened the conversation. The first session explored cooperation in cross-border higher education, where panelists shared best practices and challenges in academic recognition, student mobility, and the delivery of joint programs. The second session examined the international impact on national quality assurance and accreditation systems, with experts discussing how global and regional frameworks shape local practices, while balancing opportunities for alignment against risks of overdependence. The third session turned to ensuring quality in transnational education, focusing on how universities can uphold high academic standards when delivering programs abroad or through international partnerships, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability. The final session highlighted the potential of the Kosovar diaspora in contributing to quality enhancement in higher education institutions. Here, speakers showcased inspiring examples of how diaspora professionals and academics can enrich curricula, strengthen research capacity, and support institutional development.

The discussions throughout the day reaffirmed that quality assurance in higher education is not only about compliance with standards but also about building trust—trust among students, parents, employers, and society. With SHER’s long-standing partnership and KAA’s leadership, Kosovo’s higher education system is steadily evolving, innovating, and aligning with the highest European and international benchmarks.

At SHER, we are proud of our long-standing partnership with KAA—supporting policy development, institutional strengthening, and international collaboration. This year, we were more than happy to stand alongside KAA in organizing this impactful conference.