Universum College joins the ASU-Cintana Alliance, building on a commitment to support internationally competitive research, professional development, and a transformative student experience.
Prishtina, KOSOVO, March 31, 2023. Universum International College (UNI) and Arizona State University (ASU) have come together through the ASU-Cintana Alliance to further UNI’s longstanding commitment to support students as they develop the skills necessary to be successful leaders and cultivate the experience needed to be competitive in an increasingly global economy. ASU, according to U.S. News & World Report, is currently ranked the number one university for innovation in the U.S. for its eighth consecutive year (2016 -2023). As UNI expands its reputation as the most internationalized higher education institution in Kosovo, this new partnership will help unlock new opportunities while further cultivating existing programs and practices and will allow students to receive a world-class education in Kosovo, at an affordable price.
With the average age of the Kosovo population being just under 28 years old, higher education can serve as one of the region’s greatest engines for economic mobility and growth. Unlike any other higher education initiatives, this strategic partnership transforms UNI into a regional leader with exceptional operational and digital capabilities, and empowers all UNI students and staff by providing them access to world class education in Kosovo.
UNI’s new collaborative partnership with ASU will ensure students and learning remain at the center of the university’s focus, opening new doors for students to access ASU curriculum offerings, research opportunities, and for faculty and staff to have new chances for collaboration and shared learning. In addition to offering dual degree programs for students, there will also be greater connection to global industry and entrepreneurship.
“Quality, innovation, internationalization, and student experience. These are only a few of the pillars that have defined our institution for nearly twenty years, shaping how we think about best serving our students today and for decades to come,” said Alejtin Berisha, President of UNI – Universum International College. “By joining the ASU-Cintana Alliance, we are expanding on those existing commitments and solidifying UNI as the premier institution in Kosovo for a global education. We are delighted to partner with ASU and Cintana Education and look forward to seeing our impact grow over time.”
“It is our university’s charter mission to make a world-class higher education accessible to qualified learners, regardless of their background and geography.” Said Nancy Gonzales, Executive Vice President, and University Provost at Arizona State University. “As an institution powered by ASU, Universum International College will draw on the expertise of ASU as well as other ASU-Cintana Alliance member institutions, preparing students of the region to be empowered to compete in the global economy.”
The ASU-Cintana Alliance is a global network of innovative and ambitious universities from the U.S., Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, working together to build and scale high-quality academic programs that respond to their country’s economic and social needs. ASU-Cintana Alliance members benefit from access to ASU’s resources such as curricula, expertise in digital learning, and insights into how to build world-class research programs. The ASU-Cintana Alliance was established through a partnership between Cintana Education and Arizona State University.
For almost two decades UNI has been a leader in Kosovo, defining the exemplary characteristics of entrepreneurship, internationalization, and quality in a university” said Douglas Becker, chairman and founder of Cintana Education. “This is the main reason why we have selected UNI to become our partner in the region and we are delighted to work alongside their team and ASU to define the next chapter for UNI and Kosovo.”
About Universum College
Universum College is a higher educational institution that thrives on providing high quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities to a Kosovar and international student body through teaching excellence, lifelong learning, applied research and partnership building, thus, preparing students to be thoughtful, responsible and successful citizens who support the development of Kosovo and the region. With the ever-increasing emphasis in globalization, Universum College has enshrined internationalization and regionalization into its development perspectives. Today, Universum College is recognized as the most internationalized higher education institution in Kosovo, proudly establishing cooperation with some of the most respected educational institutions in the world.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new research model for the American university, creating an institution committed to access, excellence, and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not those it excludes. As the prototype of the new American university, ASU conducts research that contributes to the public good, and assumes great responsibility for the economic, social, and cultural vitality of its surrounding communities.
About Cintana Education
Cintana Education enables universities around the world to increase their academic quality and scale to give more students the education they need and deserve. It provides world-class expertise and access to its own proprietary resources, as well as those of ASU, a world-class university that shares Cintana’s vision of expanding access through growth and innovation. Together, they are building the Cintana Alliance, an international network of universities that will work together to meet the growing global demand for high-quality post-secondary education.
www.cintana.com
Media Contact:
Lilian Clemente
Director of Communications
lclemente@cintana.com