In more details, the Analytical report shows:

3.7.5.2. Education, training, research and innovation

Kosovo* has a comprehensive medium-term education strategy, encompassing all education sub-sectors. The legislation on higher education is in place and requires higher education institutions (and programmes) to undergo external evaluation by the Kosovo* Accreditation Agency (KAA). A number of programmes do not meet KAA quality standards. On the basis of the law on pre-university education the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MEST) has given priority to teacher professional development and to modernising teacher training in line with the new Kosovo* curriculum framework. The MEST and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare have put emphasis on vocational education and training (VET) as means to promote skills development, employability and economic development in Kosovo*.

The National Qualification Framework (NQF) validation and accreditation procedures are in place. The National Quality Authority (NQA) carries out its functions effectively, but with limited resources. Kosovo* participates in the Western Balkan Platform on Education. Kosovo's* application for membership in the Education Reform Initiative in South East Europe is being processed by the secretariat.

Kosovo* has a law on scientific research and aims at enhancing participation in international research projects. Kosovo* has three public universities and fourteen public research institutes. Kosovo* has made progress in defining the institutional basis and strategic orientation to strengthen its research and innovation capacity. The Kosovo* Research Council has been established and it has developed a five-year programme to improve the research sector and its linkage to higher education. Integration into the European Research Area and contribution to the Innovation Union have been set as a medium-term goal for Kosovo*. Kosovo* has participated in the Seventh EU research and technology framework (FP7, 2007-2013) as a project partner.

Overall, in the areas of education, training, research and innovation, the policy and legal frameworks are in place, as are the relevant institutions.

To meet its obligations under an SAA, Kosovo* needs to strengthen its investment into education and research. This is important in the light of economic and social development needs. The educational system will also need to address gradually the needs of students with disabilities. Further efforts are also necessary to provide adequate conditions for education for persons belonging to minorities, including access to education in their languages.

There is a need to establish a research fund to support the activities of researchers and build the capacity of research institutions in Kosovo*. The main challenges are the lack of scientifically qualified personnel, the low number of PhD students, insufficient laboratory equipment and inadequate technical know-how. The research community in Kosovo* remains rather isolated vis-à-vis the international scientific community. Kosovo* needs to build capacity in a number of key sectors (energy efficiency, environment, food safety, health research and social science research), which have been identified as a priority.

Cooperation under an SAA would build on the existing programmes and mechanisms and continue to help Kosovo* raise the level of general education, higher education, vocational training and to promote youth cooperation. It could also encourage the development of an environment conductive to research, notably through joint research and innovation ventures and the transfer of technology and know-how.

Source: EC Europa