The University ‘’Fehmi Agani’’ in Gjakova reacts with due indignation to the article published by Insider Journal, which contains a wide range of untrue claims and speculative tendencies with the aim of harming the image of the University, and denigrating the Rector, Prof. Ass. Dr. Drilon Bunjaku.

1.Regarding the accreditation of the study programs

The declaration that ‘’only one program of study that has been accredited’’ is false news. Currently, the University ‘’Fehmi Agani’’ in Gjakova has 7 accredited study programs, while 2 other programs in the review stage (Engineering Informatics Programme and Primary Education Programme) according to the standard procedures of the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA). These data are public and are easily verifiable in the official KAA website.

During the mandate of Rector Bunjaku, UFAGJ has received institutional accreditation for 3 years, which a direct responsibility of the UFAGJ High Management. Meanwhile, the accreditation of the programs of study is responsibility of the Deaneries and of the Academic Units, in particular, of their respective qualifications.

It is worth recalling that in 2022, at the time of the dismissal of former rector Artan Nimani, the University had only 9 programs in total under accreditation. Therefore, the pretence for the ‘’radical decrease of accreditations’’ is false, and deliberately made up in order to create a wrong public perception.

In addition, it is worth emphasizing that KAA already has a new accreditation manual (with new standards) which does not permit the accreditation of the Nursing and Physiotherapy Programs with holder of Master degree as in the time of rector Nimani. The University is in a deep process of reformation in order to increase the academic quality, and to fulfil the contemporary standards of Higher Education.

2.Regarding the individual resignations in the management

The resignations of the members of the management are personal decisions, which have been treated with institutional professionalism and accuracy. The pretensions that are highlighted in the tendentious news article are entirely untrue!!None of the resignation haven’t been accompanied by public declarations that support the pretentions that the article shows. The utilization of ‘’anonymous sources’’ in order to build such narratives is unacceptable and confronts the basic standards of responsible journalism.

For the sake of public opinion, former vice-rector Arben Boshnjaku has resigned from the post due to personal reasons, since he had several times emphasized in the meetings that he intends to do more of scientific research, and that the managerial position is taking him too much time.

Vice-rector Dafinë Kaçuri has requested her resignation but it has not yet been done official. The reasons in her resignation request are for other personal purposes, and that mainly deal with the misunderstanding in relation to the removal of the point of the competition for the advancement of the academic staff, a point which has been planned to be a matter of discussion in the next SC meeting. In this competition for advancement would be also the cases of those who don’t have a coverage of hours for the upcoming years, and who are not program holders. This attitude is not related only to Prof. Kaçuri, but is relevant for the entire academic staff who is in the similar situation.

3.Staff selection and speculations for political connections

All the competition procedures and selection of the academic staff in the University ‘’Fehmi Agani’’ in Gjakova are being developed in accordance with the legislation in force, transparently and with independent committees. The assumptions for political influence in the appointments or selections are speculative, invalid in facts, and have only one aim: the denigration of the figures who are attempting to work justly as well as the good job that is being done in the institutions.

The appointment of Prof. Ass. Dr. Kaltrina Kusari as vice-rector has been done based on her professional academic experience, her manifold scientific publications and previous academic experience in the academic life. Her selection to be part of the full-time academic staff in the position Prof. Ass. Dr. is a proposal of the Academic Unit, and has been approved with a decision by the University Senate (all Senate meetings are public and accessible in the official channel of UFAGJ in you tube).

Taking unpaid leave is a right guaranteed by law and is not related to any “supposed crisis”. Vice-Rector Kusari took unpaid leave during the month of June (1 month) because she went to finalize her post-doctoral studies in Canada. This practice has been used by the University before, every time for the benefit of the academic staff.

Regarding the Head of the Steering Council, Ms. Majlinda Haxhikadrija Ramadani has been part of the Steering Council since 2022, appointed by MESTI in accordance with the legislation in force and in accordance with her academic and professional development. Due to her good performance, she has been re-elected for the second time as Head of the Steering Council through a transparent process.

The University "Fehmi Agani" in Gjakova expresses concern about the spread of incorrect information and requests Insajderi Journal to publicly withdraw the news in question and apologize for the damage caused to the image of the institution and its leaders.

Such baseless media attacks come right at the stage of the competition for the admission of new students and this is aimed at damaging the institution and its reputation.

If this misinformation continues, the university will be forced to take legal measures to protect its reputation and institutional integrity.

The University remains committed to transparency, quality and sustainable academic development, serving with dedication to students, staff and the wider community.