On April 7, 2026, Professor Kyriakos Anastasiadis, Rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, hosted a working meeting with Professor Arben Hajrullahu, Rector of the University of Prishtina.

Rectors Anastasiadis and Hajrullahu highlighted the need to combine academic leadership, administrative experience, and scientific excellence to help universities promote and advance: internationalization and global partnerships; innovation, impactful research, and knowledge transfer; as well as strengthening the university’s role as a pillar of socio-economic development.

Rector Hajrullahu noted that the University of Prishtina plays a central role in higher education and capacity building in Kosovo, with growing emphasis on internationalization and aligning with European academic standards. As Kosovo’s oldest and largest university, the University of Prishtina has been and continues to be the top-ranked university among Albanian-language institutions worldwide. Meanwhile, Rector Anastasiadis pointed out that Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is one of the largest and most internationally active universities in Southeastern Europe, with a strong record in research, innovation, and public engagement.

Along with four other universities in Greece, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Prishtina already maintain an Erasmus+ framework agreement, which supports student and academic staff exchanges. In addition, the University of Prishtina is a member of the consortium for the Horizon Europe project “Reinforcing the Scientific Excellence of the Institute for Ethnopharmacological Studies and Phytotherapy through Twinning with Computer Science,” led by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Considering the importance of regional academic partnerships in Southeastern Europe, along with government priorities and the digital transition, strengthening cooperation between the University of Prishtina and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is seen as particularly important and promising.

The existing cooperation between the two universities has already shown measurable results through the “Young Cell” scheme. Building on this success, there is strong potential to develop a broader strategic partnership that would contribute not only to academic excellence but also to regional stability, institutional growth, and European integration.

In the spirit of deepening academic ties between Kosovo and Greece as part of wider regional cooperation Rectors Anastasiadis and Hajrullahu agreed that their universities should move forward with a cooperation agreement. Among its main goals would be to strengthen:

·      Knowledge diplomacy to support long-term cooperation;

·      Joint academic programs;

·      Short-term intensive programs (summer/winter schools)

·      Cooperation in research and innovation;

·      Joint participation in Horizon Europe and other EU-funded projects;

·      Thematic research groups;

·      Co-publications and wider sharing of research results;

·      Executive education programs;

·      Student and academic staff mobility.

A key step toward closer cooperation between the University of Prishtina and Greek universities was the signing of a cooperation agreement with Panteion University of Political and Social Sciences in Athens in December 2024. This agreement aims to develop academic exchanges and joint projects in education and scientific research.