The study visit took place from 20-23 April 2026 as part of the SHER project and brought together representatives from the Kosovar international offices with four universities in Vienna. All public higher education institutions* of the Republic of Kosovo were represented including the only University of Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Islamic Studies.
Following their arrival, the participants were welcomed at the OeAD with short presentations on the Bologna system, STEM promotion, the Internationalisation Award as well as OeAD funding programmes and alumni activities. The participants noted that Bologna-related topics and the recognition of ECTS are equally important issues and challenges for both Austrian and Kosovar institutions.
The following morning, the delegation visited BOKU University where they received information about the work of the International Relations team and had the opportunity to explore the campus during a guided tour, including a panoramic view of Vienna.
In the afternoon the delegation visited the Medical University of Vienna where the Head of International Affairs provided an overview of cooperation opportunities and mobility programmes in the medical field. This was followed by a guided tour of the Josephinum, the museum of medical history collections.
The next meeting took place at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), where several departments from the International Relations and Global Affairs division offered insights into their work and encouraged professional exchange.
The visit was concluded at Hochschule Campus Wien where the delegation received an informative overview of the International Office team and its activities. Future challenges regarding student mobility and student numbers, particularly in the healthcare and nursing sectors, were also discussed.
The group was accompanied by a staff member of the SHER/WUS Austria office in Prishtina as well as colleagues from the OeAD.
*University ‘Ukshin Hoti’ Prizren (UUHP), University of Prishtina (UP), University ‘Haxhi Zeka’ Pejë (UHZP), University ‘Fehmi Agani’ Gjakovë (UFAGJ), Faculty of Islamic Studies (FIS), University ‘Isa Boletini’ Mitrovicë (UIBM), University ‘Kadri Zeka’ Gjilan, International Business College Mitrovica (IBCM), University of Applied Sciences Ferizaj (USHAF).
About SHER:
The project Sustainable Higher Education and Research in Kosovo (SHER) supports a sustainable, evidence-based, needs-oriented and gender-responsive Higher Education and Research sector in Kosovo that is in line with the principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the European Research Area (ERA) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 and 9. For more information see here.
The funding for this project is provided by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and is co-financed by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES, formely MESTI) of the Republic of Kosovo. The implementing consortium also comprises WUS Austria and ZSI. The OeAD is in charge of the administration and implementation of the fellowship component of this project.
