University of Pristina facts for kids
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Universiteti i Prishtinës
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Seal of University of Pristina
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| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1969 |
| Budget | €34.0 million |
| Rector | Qerim Qerimi |
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Academic staff
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1,284 |
| Students | 24,980 (2023–24) |
| Location |
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42°40′00″N 21°10′00″E / 42.666667°N 21.166667°E |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colours | |
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| Regional – Overall | |
| QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia | 351-400 (2022) |
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The University of Pristina (Albanian: Universiteti i Prishtinës) is a big public university in Pristina, Kosovo. It was created after the older University of Pristina (1969–1999) stopped working because of the Kosovo War. Starting this university was a very important event for the people of Kosovo and for all Albanians.
Every year on February 15th, the university celebrates its founding day. When it first opened, it had faculties (departments) for Philosophy, Law and Economics, Engineering, and Medicine. Today, the University of Pristina has 17 faculties. Fourteen of these are for academic studies, and three are for applied sciences. The university's emblem includes its name in Latin: Universitas Studiorum Prishtiniensis.
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About the University of Pristina
The University of Pristina is the main university in Kosovo. It is located on a campus in Pristina. The university is part of the European University Association. It also works with many universities and groups in Western Europe and America. It is known as the highest-ranked Albanian-language university in Europe.
This university is a public school that does not aim to make a profit. It is in the city of Pristina, which is a medium-sized city. The university also has smaller campuses in other cities like Gjilan, Peja, and Prizren. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Kosovo officially recognizes it. The University of Pristina offers different levels of degrees. These include bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorate degrees.
Student Life and Growth
The school year at the university starts on October 1st and ends on September 30th. It has two semesters, with 30 weeks of teaching each year. In the past, many young people in Kosovo went to school or university. By 1980, about one-third of everyone in the region was studying. The number of students in higher education grew very quickly in Kosovo. It went from 149 students in 1958–59 to 35,706 students by 1975–76.
In the 2016–2017 school year, the university had nearly 39,000 students. Most of these students were from Kosovo. A smaller number came from nearby areas and other countries. Each year, about 5,000 students earn their bachelor's degrees. About 1,000 students earn their master's degrees. Most of these degrees are in social sciences and humanities. Since the university started, more than 70,000 people have graduated.
University History
The University of Pristina was first started in 1969. It was in Pristina, which was then part of Yugoslavia. It worked until 1999. Because of political changes and conflicts, the university later split into two separate schools. One continued in Pristina, teaching in Albanian. The other moved to Northern Mitrovica and teaches in Serbian.
How the University Started
The university was founded in 1969–70. This happened after people in Kosovo asked for more self-governance. The first departments were philosophy, medicine, law, and engineering. Students could learn in both Albanian and Serbo-Croat. Many Albanians were happy about the new university. They saw it as a step towards more fairness. Some Serbian politicians were against it. They thought it would lead to Kosovo becoming too independent.
Student Protests in 1981
The university was where the 1981 Kosovo student protests began. These protests started on March 11, 1981. Students were asking for better food and living conditions. These small protests grew into larger demonstrations across Kosovo.
Changes in the 1990s
During the 1990s, many Albanian teachers were removed. They were replaced by Serbian teachers. Albanian-language education then continued in private places. This allowed many Albanian students to keep learning. Later, there were talks about sharing the university campus. An agreement was made, but it led to more protests.
After the Kosovo War
The 1999 war in Kosovo affected the university greatly. Many staff and students left Kosovo. As a result, the university officially split into two branches. One remained in Pristina, and the other moved to North Mitrovica.
How the University Works
Leadership and Management
The University of Pristina has two main groups that run it: the Steering Council and the Senate. The Steering Council is in charge of making sure the university works well. The University Senate is the highest academic group. The Rector leads the Senate. The Rector is like the university's main boss. They make sure the university runs smoothly. The Rector gets help from Vice Presidents and a Secretary General.
The Secretary General is the top person for daily operations. They make sure everything is managed well.
University Administration
The Central Administration helps run the university every day. It handles many important tasks. These include:
- Managing education and research.
- Keeping track of student records.
- Handling staff and legal matters.
- Planning for the university's future.
- Managing money and property.
- Keeping all university information organized.
The Secretary General coordinates all these tasks.
What Can You Study?
The University of Pristina has many academic departments, called faculties. Here are some of them:
- Faculty of Philosophy
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Philology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture
- Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary
- Faculty of Sport Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Architecture
Joining the University
To get into the University of Pristina, students usually need to take entrance exams. Students from other countries can also apply. The fees for studying here are quite low. For full-time bachelor's students, it's about €25 per semester. For master's students, it's around €150 per semester. Living in Pristina costs about 200-350 euros per month for students from other cities or countries.
University Campus Life
About 45,000 students attend the University of Pristina. But the campus is not just for students! Other people in Pristina also use the campus for various activities. The university campus is in a great spot in the city. This gives it a lot of potential to grow and improve.
The National Library
The National Library of Kosovo is located right on the university campus. This library is the most important library in Kosovo. It collects, promotes, and saves important documents for the country. The library also holds exhibitions and events. It has many books that people can use. This library is famous for its unique history and interesting architecture.
Student Dorms
The campus has eight student dorms, also called halls of residence. They are affordable for students. The monthly price for dorms often includes food at the student canteen.
Pristina International Summer University
Since 2001, the University of Pristina has hosted the Pristina International Summer University (PISU). This program brings together thousands of students and hundreds of professors. They come from Kosovo, the region, and all over the world.
In the summer of 2018, the 18th PISU took place. It offered about 15 courses in many different subjects. There were also public talks and lectures on important topics. Fun events and trips were organized for students and staff too. In 2017, about 500 students joined. In 2023, the 22nd PISU was held with professors from 11 countries. PISU happens every year in early July. It helps the University of Pristina work with other universities around the world.
Career Help for Students
The Career Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Pristina helps students. It officially opened in 2007. Its goal is to help students gain knowledge and skills for their future jobs. The CDC also helps students get work experience while they are studying. This helps them understand the job market better. They also give advice to high school students who want to study at the university.
The CDC helps students by sharing information about:
- New studies and training programs.
- Seminars and lectures.
- Job openings and practical work opportunities.
Online Career Platform
The Virtual Career Platform (VCP) is an online tool. Students and graduates can use it to join a Virtual Career Fair. Through this platform, they can connect with companies and organizations. These include banking, IT, engineering, and education sectors. Users can talk directly with human resources departments. The VCP also gives information about career advice and guidance. All online services from the CDC are free for students and graduates of the University of Pristina.
Famous People from the University
Honorary Doctors
The university has given special "Doctor of Honor" degrees to many important people. These include:
- 1975 – Josip Broz Tito – First President of Yugoslavia
- 1975 – Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed – President of India
- 2003 – Bill Clinton – Former President of the United States
- 2003 – Ismail Kadare – Albanian novelist and poet
- 2010 – Tony Blair – Former Prime Minister of the UK
- 2010 – Recep Tayyip Erdogan – Prime Minister of Turkey
- 2016 - Mother Teresa - Albanian Missionary
Notable Alumni and Faculty
Many well-known people have studied or taught at the University of Pristina. Here are a few:
- Fehmi Agani – Professor of sociology and politician
- Atifete Jahjaga – Former President of Kosovo
- Albin Kurti – Current Prime Minister of Kosovo
- Vjosa Osmani – Current President of Kosovo
- Ibrahim Rugova – First president of post-war Kosovo
- Fatmir Sejdiu – Former President of Kosovo
- Hashim Thaçi – Former president and prime minister of Kosovo
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Pristina para niños
- List of split up universities
