Kosova’s Young Leaders are Making History on the World Stage

February 2017 has brought Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF) Graduate Fellowship program great news and successes of its alumni on the world stage.
Zana Zeqiri Rudi, an alumna of the KAEF program was recently named Kosova’s Ambassador to Panama. Zana (Master in Public Policy, Harvard University ’10) previously worked as an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Kosova and as Chargé d’Affaires at the Kosova Embassy in Panama, which was established on November 15th, 2013.
During the ceremony in the Salon Amarillo of the Palace of Herons, Ambassador Zeqiri Rudi expressed: “I am honored to represent the Republic of Kosova as its first ambassador to Panama, an ally of Kosova and its strong supporter in the international arena.” Further, the Ambassador noted that she will continue her work on strengthening the bilateral relations between Panama and Kosova.

PANAMA – FEBRUARY 9: (L-R) The Ambassador of Kosova, Zana Zeqiri Rudi presented the credentials to the President of the Republic of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, accompanied by the Vice President, Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado and Second Secretary Valmira Thaçi-Musa.

Another great achievement comes from KAEF alumnus Shpat Deda (Master in Business Administration, Temple University, ’15). Shpat was engaged as a producer in the making of short film HOME, a British-Kosovar production to win a BAFTA award in the category of Best Short Film. HOME is the first Kosovar production, partially shot in Kosova, to win the prestigious BAFTA award.
During a press conference in Prishtina, Shpat remarked: “Success comes best served when shared with others and in the case of HOME we share it with so many people, it’s a true blessing! HOME has brought together the most talented young people whom I had the honor to work with and it serves as a proof about Kosova’s potential. We need to build more bridges so that the Kosovar talent comes to international attention because we already have many successes to prove that this is possible.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) British Short Film Award winners Shpat Deda, Afolabi Kuti, Arta Dobroshi, Daniel Mulloy and Scott O’Donnell pose in the winners room at the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England.

Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF)

The Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF), an American Councils’ program supports long-term economic development in Kosova by providing fellowships to promising Kosovars to attend top-level graduate (master’s) training at U.S. universities. Returning to Kosova, program graduates assume leadership positions in business, non-profit organizations and the government, and use their technical knowledge to generate sustainable and positive change. KAEF has earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious fully-funded fellowship programs in Kosova. All applicants undergo a merit-based, competitive selection process to guarantee that the most qualified, motivated, and talented candidates are selected.

Created by the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and administered by American Councils for International Education (ACIE), the KAEF program is an education fund that allows eligible/qualified Kosovars the opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills in areas that would support economic growth, investment, and sustainable development in Kosova. From 2004 to date, the KAEF program has awarded more than 90 master’s-level fellowships through a competitive and merit-based process to outstanding Kosovar students.

For additional information, please visit: www.kaef-online.org

American Councils for International Education

American Councils for International Education, an international nonprofit, creates educational opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world. Through academic exchanges, overseas language immersion, data-focused research, and educational development programs, American Councils designs and administers innovative programs that broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge, and deepen understanding.……………………………………………………………………………….

For 40 years, American Councils has responded to the needs of the communities where we work with hundreds of robust, international education programs that span over 80 countries, 40 languages, and are represented by over 65,000 alumni worldwide, including government leaders, top international educators, business innovators, public officials, and K-16 students.