Kosova Accreditation Project Report July 2008 London 2008 1 Kosova Accreditation Project July 2008 Prepared by Prof Steve Bristow and Dr Stephen Vickers. Copyright © 2008 by the British Accreditation Council All rights reserved. Short sections of text, not to exceed two paragraphs, may be quoted without express permission provided that full credit is given to the source. For any permissions inquiry, please contact the BAC using the address below. Published by: The British Accreditation Council 44 Bedford Row London WC1R 4LL E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7447 2584 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7447 2585 2 Kosova Accreditation Project July 2008 Table of Contents A: Executive Summary ................................................................................................... 5 B: The task ..................................................................................................................... 6 C: Methodology adopted................................................................................................ 7 D: Summary of inspections ............................................................................................ 8 E: Some general impressions formed during inspections ................................................ 9 Unfinished business .................................................................................................... 9 Aims, objectives and provision ................................................................................... 9 Organization and Quality Assurance........................................................................... 9 Output Standards ........................................................................................................ 9 Teaching and titles...................................................................................................... 9 Programmes.............................................................................................................. 10 Students and Assessment........................................................................................... 10 Inter-institutional accords.......................................................................................... 11 Senior Management and Administration.................................................................... 11 Ethos and Sustainability in Kosovan institutions......................................................... 11 F: Concerns from the analysis of supporting documents .............................................. 13 Complaints about institutions.................................................................................... 13 Verification of degrees and diplomas ........................................................................ 13 PBHE accounts and three-year business plans ........................................................... 14 Keeping track of students and lecturers ..................................................................... 15 Student numbers....................................................................................................... 15 G: Recommendations on private-sector higher education provision ............................ 20 Summary .................................................................................................................. 20 1. Creation of a Kosova Council for Academic Awards.............................................. 20 2 Academic staff ....................................................................................................... 21 3 Management of HE institutions .............................................................................. 22 4 Classification of private institutions after the accreditation exercise ........................ 22 5 Regulation of HE institutions .................................................................................. 23 6 Improving quality and relevance ............................................................................ 24 Appendix A: Individual institutions reports .................................................................. 25 1. AAB – AAB University .......................................................................................... 25 2. Academy of Arts ................................................................................................... 29 3. ASAU – Academy of Advanced University Studies ................................................ 32 4. AUK – American University in Kosovo.................................................................. 34 5. Biznezi ................................................................................................................. 37 6. Dardania University.............................................................................................. 41 7. Design Factory...................................................................................................... 44 8. Ecology – Ekoman Ecological Faculties ................................................................. 46 9. EUK – European University in Kosovo................................................................... 49 10. EV – European Vision University......................................................................... 52 11. Eurosport – University College for Sport Education.............................................. 55 12. Academy Evolucion ............................................................................................ 59 13. Fama University.................................................................................................. 62 14. Academy of Theatre, Film, Television & Radio.................................................... 67 15. Gjilani University College................................................................................... 69 16. Iliria University ................................................................................................... 72 17. International University of Prishtina .................................................................... 77 18. Katana ................................................................................................................ 81 3 Kosova Accreditation Project July 2008 19. KUF – University College Ferizaj......................................................................... 84 20. NIC-Holdings...................................................................................................... 88 21. Faculty of Pharmacy ........................................................................................... 91 22. Pjetër Budi University ......................................................................................... 94 23. University of Prizren ........................................................................................... 99 24. Rezonanca University of Medical Sciences ....................................................... 102 25. Riinvest University ............................................................................................ 108 26. Tempulli University College.............................................................................. 113 27. Teuta European Academy ................................................................................. 117 28. UBT – University for Business and Technology ................................................. 120 29. Universum University College........................................................................... 125 30. Victory University College ................................................................................ 130 Appendix B: Project members.................................................................................... 133 Appendix C: The Kosova Council for Academic Awards (KCAA)................................ 134 Appendix D: Multiple contracts of employment......................................................... 135 Appendix E: Blank questionnaire forms...................................................................... 139 Appendix F: Student numbers by Subject Group (Undergraduate)............................. 162 Appendix G: Student numbers by Subject Group (Postgraduate) ............................... 169 4 Kosova Accreditation Project July 2008 A: Executive Summary The BAC has inspected the premises, interviewed key staff, and analysed a wealth of material submitted by the colleges. On the strength of this evidence, none of the institutions should be accredited or licensed, for a variety of reasons: • Only one of them meets the size criterion under Kosovan Law and Administrative Instructions, and none meets the requirements of being a research learning environment. • Many institutions lack the pro bono publico corporate form required of a university. • For some, the precise corporate form and ownership is not yet clear. • Most lack a strong body of full-time academics sufficient to become a community of scholars. The inspectors also found: • A cavalier attitude to the granting of academic titles. • Study programmes, in particular the over-emphasis upon Law and Economics, which are inappropriate to the economic needs of Kosova. • Poor assessment and Quality Assurance practice. • Insufficient emphasis on degree completion. The inspection team found much valuable educational provision, in terms of specialisation and geographical access, and has recommended the creation of a Kosova Council of Academic Awards (KCAA) to award Diploma Certificates and Degrees based on teaching and assessment in private colleges. The KCAA should