[KAN-Info] American University in Kosovo

[Andrew Gridinsky]

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN KOSOVO OPENS IN OCTOBER 2003
 
     [Pristina, Kosovo] -- The American University in Kosovo (AUK) will begin its first freshman class on October 6, 2003.  According to Louis Sell, Executive Director of the American University in Kosovo Foundation, "What has been a dream of the Kosovar and American organizers is now becoming reality - Kosovo will now have its own American University offering a full program of instruction in English that will prepare Kosovo's youth for the 21st century."
     The AUK is a private institution of higher learning with rigorous standards of admission and academic performance.  The AUK will provide an American curriculum primarily delivered by American professors.  Instruction, admission, and administration will be in English. The AUK will offer a quality, American education to all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or religious affiliation.  Admission will be strictly on merit through a competitive exam process.         
     Dr. Andrew Gridinsky, Director of Academic Planning at the AUKF, noted the importance of this development for Kosovo's higher education landscape.  "An American university," he said, "offers more than simply knowledge.  Our goal is to enable our students to develop true critical thinking and to learn how to present themselves in a professional and credible manner.  A university education should prepare students for real jobs in the real world and our curriculum has a strong career focus.  We want to be part of building Kosovo's economy and our students will play a key role in that," he concluded. 
     The AUK is established by the American University in Kosovo Foundation (AUKF), an organization registered in both Kosovo and the United States, for the purpose of creating, supporting and providing broad oversight to this American institution of higher learning in Kosovo.  The AUKF is directed by a board of distinguished Americans and Kosovars.  Its Chair is former Ambassador William Walker and its Vice Chair is Richard Lukaj, President of Babcock Capital Partners, Inc.
     The pursuit of excellence is central to the AUK's mission.  To this end the AUK is partnering with the highly respected American university; Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), which will manage all aspects of the academic curriculum.  Founded in 1829 and located in Rochester, New York, RIT is a private, non-profit university with more than 15,000 students.  It offers over 230 academic programs, ranging from photographic arts to micro-electric engineering.  Its programs, with their focus on preparing students for careers in business and industry, have a national and international reputation for excellence.  Students attending AUK will earn credits recognized both in Kosovo and by RIT.  Kosovo will become RIT's tenth overseas location.  Within Eastern Europe, RIT has extensive programs in Dubrovnik and Prague. 
     Initially, the AUK will offer an associate's degree, a two year program focusing on business, economics, and computers.  Enrollment in the first year will be limited to approximately 120 students.  A central element of the program will be the development of initiative and the practical application of management and technology to solving economic, manufacturing, and business development challenges in Kosovo.
     Students attending the AUK will have full access to RIT's impressive array of on-line data bases, libraries, and distance learning tools.  AUK students will have the use of a large number of modern, highly capable computers at a very favorable student to computer ratio.  
     As AUK expands its operations into its anticipated newly renovated facilities on the outskirts of Pristina, both the size of the student body and the range of course offerings will grow. It is the intention of the AUK, working with U.S. university partners, to establish a four-year American university in Kosovo, providing a full range of university programs with credits recognized in both Kosovo and the United States.  
     Applications to AUK are available at the AUK web site: (www.rit.edu/aukadmin). All applications must be submitted on-line, through the AUK web site.  
     All applicants will be required to take a written exam, administered by representatives of RIT and AUK, and an interview.  The exam will include an English language and a math component. There is an application fee of $75, which is payable to the AUKF account at the Raiffeisen bank in Pristina. (Account number 1501001002441485.)  
     One year's tuition to attend AUK is $5,500, which is also payable to the AUKF account at the Raiffeisen bank in Pristina. (Account number 1501001002441485.)  At less than a quarter of the cost of studying in the United States, the AUK's program will give many more students in Kosovo the chance to get a quality American university-level education, without having to travel abroad.  AUK offers a discount for payment in advance.
     Additional information about AUK can be found on its web site (www.rit.edu/aukadmin).   

The American University in Kosovo
 Telephone 038-540-197 
 e-mail: admissions at aukf.org

Andrew Gridinsky
American University in Kosova Foundation
Tel:  +381 38 540 196
Mob: +377 44 502 894
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