Director: Daniel C. Levy

The American University in Kosovo

(Entry by Daniel C. Levy)

PROPHE Summary:

The American University in Kosovo, launched into operation in October 2003, is one of many private institutions that have opened since the war in the Serbian province ended in 1999. Like many others, the new university offers curriculum and pedagogy drawing on the U.S. model and instruction is in English. Managed by the Rochester Institute of Technology, the university presently offers two-year degrees in business and economic but plans to open four-year programs. Job placement is a specific emphasis. The major finance has come from Kosovo Albanians and the annual fees are $5500. Proponents claim that the public University of Pristana is too unresponsive to student and job needs.

For the full story see International Herald Tribune, October 11, 2003. "University in Kosovo has American accent," by Nicholas Wood. http://www.iht.com/articles/113278.html

PROPHE Observation:

Many small countries in Europe are part of the worldwide tendency for public monopolies to yield to dual sectors. Often, the private institutions are pointedly oriented to U.S. forms more than the traditional forms still dominant in the national public sector. The new university in Kosovo follows the precedent of institutions in other countries (e.g., Bulgaria) that boast "American" in their name. The business, economics, and practicality focus is common, whether it's combined with a second-option appeal for those who cannot gain admission to still exclusive public universities or whether it's combined with a private choice based on a view that the public university is outmoded, particularly for the new economy. An ethnic thrust is also a feature that can contrast with the inclusive national stance of the public university.