Project:“Support to the Internationalization of Kosova Higher Education System through establishment of the Kosova Students’ Union”

Project:“Support to the Internationalization of Kosova Higher Education System through

establishment of the Kosova Students’ Union”

Status Quo on Student Unions/ Organisations Legislation in Kosovo

Prishtina, February 2014

Data Collection- Methodology Two different questionnaires' developed and

distributed at:o Ministry of Education Science and Technology-

MESTK;o Public & private higher institutions in Kosova.

Total received: 9 o 1 K-Cirt, MESTKo 8 Higher Education Providers (3 public and 5 private)

Meaning Term: Students` union/ organization used by

HEI in Kosovo?

Data Analysis – Questionnaire from MESTK

1.Does there exist any legal framework for establishment of student union in Kosova?

According to K-Cirt, there is no legal framework for establishment of Students` union in national level.

The HE law is under amendment, which is foreseen to regulate the establishment of the National Student Union.

2. How much time is needed for the legal framework or other documents that creates legal base to be approved by the responsible body? The amendment of the HE law is foreseen to

be concluded during 2014, after which a sub-act/ administrative instruction is needed to define the structure, modality of function as well as the sustainability of the Union.

3.Do you thing it is achievable the objective of establishment of KSU until April 2015, (17th month of the project life)? The legal framework (law and other

administrative regulation) can be developed and approved until then.

But, the staff cannot be recruited and its agenda be determined before the legal framework is put in place.

Procedures for completion of the legal framework for establishment and functioning of students' union? First, the support of establishment of the

Union via HE law,; Second a by-law should describe in detail how

this mechanisms should have the form and how should it function;

Third the procedures for establishment could be indicated, including the establishment at the Office, and for the organization of elections should take place to conclude the election if the first structures.

Data Analysis – Questionnaire from higher education providers (public & private)

• All respondents have at least one student organization.

YES NO I DON’T KNOW0

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1.Is there any student's union/organ-isation at your institution?

1. a) How many students` union are at your institution? Four institutions (out of eight) said that they

have one student union; Two institutions have two student’s union; One institution has three student’s union. One has 15, active are 14 organizations.

1. b) When they are established?

One of the student’s union was established since 2001;

three of them were established since 2005; three of those student’s union were

transferred from University of Prishtina; one was established in 2010 and another one

was established in 2013.

How they are organized? According to the Statue and Regulation of institution for Students'

Organizations;

They are organized through respective branches & departments of the certain faculties of the institution;

Selection procedures for student representatives is regulated by special regulations, the student union;

Every students organization has; board assembly as well as Member assembly, President, Secretary, Vice President.

They are organized through Student Assembly and Student Council;

All students of institution have the rights to become members in the students`s union and participate in all activities. The union bodies are: o a) Executive Council, o b) Senate, o c)Consulting Council.

All organizations are established according to a relevant legal documents within the institution.

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3.Do you have legal framework for functioning of students' organisation?

3. a) is the legal framework part of the institution statue or you have any specific document only for students' organization? It is regulated with the Statue and the Regulation on

Organizing Students' Organization and students elections;

It is both: institutional- statute and it is specific only for student's organization regulation;

On going – regulations very soon will be submitted to respective authorities in charge;

Student organization and activities of the organization are defined by the statue which is enacted by the Parliament of the organization;

According to the regulations, the basic condition to set up a student organization is to have statute and its founding act.

All Students` representatives are elected by the elections within their institution.

YES NO I DON'T KNOW 0

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4. Does the students' organization hold regular elections?

50 % are elected individually, 25% in groups and 25% individually and in groups

Individuals Groups Both0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

4a) If yes, are individuals or group of candidates elected?

5. Does the legal document describe the students' election procedures?

In accordance with election procedure in student's organization; There is legal document “Rules for students Elections at

university level;

Elections are hold every 2 years, this is regulated with the Statue and the Regulation on Organizing Students' Organization;

Students elections are held with two voting list; for faculty council and student parliament. Each organization has submitted lists with names of candidates to participate in elections, and then which gains the highest number of votes has more members of its student representation in the Council as well in the Student parliament.

5. Does the legal document describe the students' election procedures?

Organization and activities of students, defined by the statue of the organization. Way of selecting student representatives thereby becoming: Student Union consists of assembly which has 12 members. These members gives their contribution in the field of education and protection of the students` rights:o Members of the organization by majority vote elect the president of the Union

representative or organization.

o Members of the organization have a two-year term with the right to repeat;

o Members of the Union elected on the proposal of the Chairman/ Union representatives;

o Members of the Union may leave the body of their own, (if he resigns) or for other reasons;

o In this case we are replacing the departed member by nomination by the President of the organization, and the decision is made by majority vote of the members of the organization.

6. Which are students' organization duties and responsibilities?

Students' Organization presents the students and contributes in fulfilling student's social, cultural, academic and entertainment requests.

To present and protect students interest to the faculty and University management at all levels

Representation of the students' rights and protection of students' activities, in respective higher authorities inside and outside the country;

The main task are: - representation of students, -the protection and promotion of their interest and welfare of students and the center as whole,- promoting and organizing student activities in and outside the curriculum, especially in the field of culture and sports, -cooperation with other organization that promote the interests and activities of students.

6. Which are students' organization duties and responsibilities? The main task of student organization is to defend the

rights of students, to represent their item in the university, to develop student activities, to provide training for students, student

collaboration, advancement in career, raising quality, identifying problems in university.

To represent student issues in the Senate of the College and to the Management, as well as to the Board of College

Promoting academic values, organizing various activities within and outside the College fame, protecting and representing the interests of students, etc.

6a) Do they develop and publish regular reports of their activities?

Five reported that they do publish regular reports of their activities, while one institution said that they do not have regular reports on writing form, while one said that “It depends on how the structures of organizations are open to the public, some of which are active continuously publish their activities, their work, the facilities that they offer to students, those information they provide through internet websites and social media etc.

Three institutions did not answered in this question.

No membership fee applied.

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1207. Is there a membership fee applied for

students?

YES NO I DON'T KNOW 0

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8. Are the students' representatives' part of deci-sion making bodies (faculty councils, senate etc.)?

8a) If yes, please specify in which bodies they are represented? They represent students in the Steering Board with the right to propose,

debate for the students' issues, but with no right to vote.

They are part of institution in: o Council professional academic issues; o In developing the curriculum; o The research activities.

Part of institution bodies:o Faculty councils, o Senate, o Office for quality assurance

Student organization, those which are winner form the election have the right of involvement in student councils, student parliament as the highest governing authority, the Senate, and the in different committees that are formed by the student senate and parliament.

Comments

Universities may no function properly if there are no present students organizations that are active. It is better to allocate any funds from the university or the Ministry of Education, and have more student activities, collaboration with students from other universities, exchange of experiences etc.

Thank you for your attention!