Универзитет у Приштини - Косовска Митровица

Development of  higher education in Kosovo and Metohia started in the academic year 1958/1959, by founding Higher Pedagogic School. The first faculty that was opened in this region was Faculty of Philosophy, founded in the academic year 1960/1961, twenty years later  it grew into Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Science and Mathematics, and in 1989 Faculty of Philosophy split into two faculties: Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Philology. The Faculty of Law and Economy was founded in the academic year 1961/1962 and later transformed into Faculty of Law and Faculty of Economy. The Faculty of Technical Science in Pristina was opened in the academic year 1965/1966. With the aim to create conditions for better health care and optimise scientific research, Faculty of Medical Science was opened in 1969. The stated faculties have operated as external units of the University of Belgrade and the education was performed in Serbian language.

The University of Pristina was opened on November 18, 1969, in accordance with Law on founding University of Pristina. Faculties located in Pristina became constituent parts of University of Pristina, as well as other faculties and seven High Schools. In accordance with Law on founding this institution, University of Pristina conducted education in Serbian and Albanian language.

After the introducing the Law on  University in 1992, University of Pristina had 14 faculties, of which 12 faculties were located in Pristina: Faculty of Economy, Faculty of Medical Science, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Philology, Faculty of Physical Education, Faculty of  Arts, Faculty of Constructions and Architecture, Faculty of Electronics and Computer Engineering and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, therefore Faculty of Mining and Metallurgy located in Kosovska Mitrovica and Faculty of Teachers Training seated in the city of Prizren.  All faculties consolidated their educational system with the similar faculties in other parts of our country. By establishing suitable conditions for students enrollment in  bachelor, specialistic and master studies, along with constant engagement of academic staff, University of Pristina has become one of the most recipient universities in Serbia. Beside the educational and scientific work, this university has dealt with  book publishings. Alongside with educational and scientific research quality, as well as establishing international and inter-university cooperation, University of Pristina has grown into an equal member of universities family in Serbia.

Education in Albanian language self-initially separated, so thus it came to forming parallel educational system. Faculties of the University of Pristina, which performing education in Serbian language, kept on doing its educational and scientific work as the integral part of educational system of the Republic of Serbia. 

Then Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic signed the Education Agreement with Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova, on September 1st, 1996, under the auspices of the Catholic NGO Comunità di Sant’Egidio. So-called 3+3 Group was formed, which, on March 23th, 1998, prepared all compact measures for applying the Education Agreement, and then Albanian teachers, assistants and students agreed to return to the university recognized by the Government of Serbia. Albanian members of this Group comprise: Fehmi Agani, Abdul Rama and Rexhep Osmani; Representatives of Serbian authorities were: Ratomir Vico, Goran Percevic and Dobrosav Bjeletic, along with members of Comunità di Sant’Eugidio:monsignor Vinúenco Palia, Pr. Roberto Maroco della Roca and Dr. Mario Djira. After the agreement period and realization of compact measures that leading to education system ’normalization’, it came into partition of university campus (students hostels, messroom, library), i.e. physical division of Serbian and Albanian teachers, assistants and students. According to the share performed by 3+3 Group, Albanians get control over 60% of the University campus, Serbs 35% and Turks 5%.

Unfortunately, during NATO aggression on our country, about 1,500 teachers, assistants and other employees at the University of Pristina, along with 16,000 students, who attend classes in Serbian language, were forced to leave their faculties, all their possessions usurped and conditions have never been provided for their return home.