The cooperation agreement was announced during a visit from the President of Kosovo
The President of Kosovo, Dr. Vjosa Osmani, visited Drake University today as part of a week-long trip to Des Moines. Drake held a moderated discussion with Osmani, which drew a crowd of more than 200 students, faculty, staff, and community members and paid tribute to Iowa’s and Drake’s strong ties with the country.
During the event, Drake announced a new academic cooperation agreement signed earlier in the month with the University of Prishtina in Kosovo and also presented the president with an Honorary Global Citizenship Award in recognition of advancing global understanding and opportunities. The University of Prishtina is the largest higher education institution in Kosovo, located in the country’s capital city. The new partnership will facilitate educational, cultural, and research collaboration between the two universities including exchange opportunities for students, faculty, scholars, and staff.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Kosovo and the University of Prishtina,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “Global thinking and intercultural learning are central to the Drake experience and our mission of preparing students to be engaged global citizens. This partnership is mutually beneficial and will provide new opportunities for students and faculty at each of our institutions to learn, grow, and thrive.”
The cooperation agreement builds on more than five years of existing collaboration between Drake and Kosovo. In 2017, the University embarked on a partnership with the Kosovo Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation that focuses on several experiential learning opportunities, including:
- Professional development workshops led by Drake faculty to support the nation’s developing education system.
- Travel seminars for students and faculty focused on the repairing and rebuilding of Kosovo.
- Opportunities for Drake graduates to work at non-profit organizations and corporations in Kosovo as part of Drake’s Working Worldwide program.
- This summer, Drake students attended the University of Prishtina’s international summer program.
- Current students in Drake’s School of Education can complete an international student teaching placement at the International Learning Group (ILG) school in Prishtina.
As a globally engaged institution, Drake University continually seeks intentional and sustainable cooperative opportunities with higher education institutions, government entities, and non-governmental organizations throughout the world. This marks Drake’s 20th global partnership across 14 countries.
Drake’s continued engagement in Kosovo is part of a broader Iowa-Kosovo relationship. Kosovo opened a consulate in Des Moines in 2016, located on Court Avenue in Des Moines. This consulate remains Iowa’s only foreign diplomatic office.
Visit drake.edu/global to learn more about Drake University’s global engagement efforts, study abroad opportunities, and academic programming.