In the framework of the Horizontal Facility Action on Education “Strengthen integrity and combat corruption in the higher education system”, the first expert mission took place in Pristina with the aim of meeting the major stakeholders and carrying out discussions to develop a baseline study on issues affecting integrity in the higher education system.

The Council of Europe experts, who are also members of the ETINED Steering Group, met and interviewed over 25 representatives from the major stakeholders during the two-day exploratory mission including the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, the Rector of the University of Pristina, rectors of other public higher education institutions, the Director of the Anti-corruption Agency, the Acting Director of the Agency for Accreditation, student representatives, private higher institutions and NGOs working in the field of education. These discussions mainly examined the issues affecting integrity, ethics and transparency in the higher education system in Kosovo*.

Full support for the implementation of project activities and cooperation was ensured from all those interviewed, including the Minister, rectors of the higher education institutions and high officials from the Anti-corruption and Accreditation Agencies.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.