Pristina, 11 June, 2025
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, received in a meeting Dr. Cassie Barnhardt, Professor at the University of Iowa, and Eli Gashi, Representative of the University of Iowa in Kosovo and Specialist in Higher Education.
Dr. Barnhardt is staying in Kosovo to explore opportunities for sustainability and expansion of academic activities and cooperation with universities, government institutions and private sector partners in Kosovo, aligning higher education programs with labor market needs, supporting student experiences and building sustainable partnerships.
Together they discussed opportunities for expanding cooperation between the government and educational institutions with the University of Iowa. This university has previously implemented various partnership projects together with the University of Pristina “Hasan Prishtina”, the University of Peja “Haxhi Zeka”, the University of Prizren “Ukshin Hoti”, the private sector from agribusiness and technology.
Career centers, scientific research and cooperation programs, student and experience exchanges, double degrees between Kosovo and international universities, which would bring mutual recognition of academic qualifications and increase employment opportunities, were some of the topics of conversation to examine the potential for deepening cooperation.
Prime Minister Kurti thanked the representatives of the University of Iowa for the fruitful conversation, expressing the willingness for cooperation.
