Announcements

Creating a New Kosovo Through Education

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Retired General Wesley K. Clark delivered a keynote address that emphasized the need to invest in promising Kosovars as they rebuild their nation. 

The American Councils for International Education's Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF), hosted a fundraising event highlighting the importance of good quality higher education as key to increased competitiveness in the global economy, peacebuilding, and better governance in post-conflict countries.

Retired General Wesley K. Clark delivered a keynote address that emphasized the need to invest in promising Kosovars as they rebuild their nation. He then encouraged attendees to continue supporting educational initiatives such as KAEF.

"KAEF believes the best way to build Kosovo's economy is to educate the country's most talented students," said event host Gazmend Gjonbalaj and Director of Product Applications for Bloomberg Law R&D. "We thank the KAEF supporters, including General Clark, who make these fellowships possible."

Each year KAEF provides up to eight graduate fellowships to promising Kosovars for top-level training at select US universities. To date, the KAEF fellowship program has provided nearly 80 graduate degrees to the country's best and brightest.

During the event, held at Battery Gardens, KAEF celebrated Amy Manning as the inaugural recipient of the David Gotaas Community Supporter Award. The award is named for David Gotaas, a member of American Councils' Board of Trustees for six years and champion of KAEF, who passed away in May of 2015 at the age of 64. Mr. Gotaas believed in KAEF's potential to make a difference for Kosovo's future.

Ms. Manning and her firm, McGuireWoods LLP, were selected to receive this award for demonstrated support of KAEF, specifically providing an internship for Arben Limani, during his fellowship at Chicago-Kent College of Law, and hosting a trade event with Kosovo's former President H.E. Atifete Jahjaga in November 2015. In addition, Ms. Manning reflects values David Gotaas was known for, such as volunteer service and education.

In addition to Mr. Gazmend Gjonbalaj, Bloomberg LLP, and a member of the KAEF Committee, the event host committee included Lana Gjonbalaj of UA Builders, Ed Hammel of The Hartsdale Group, Etrita Ibroci of Kepler Cheuvreux, Granit Limani, a KAEF Alumnus now with Entermedia, Nancy Murphy of CSR Communications, Alvana Nicaj of Entr e Health, Esad Gjonbalaj, a community activist and Elena Romanova of American Councils.

About the Kosovo American Education Fund
The Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF) is dedicated to providing promising Kosovars with the opportunity for a master's level education at America's best universities. KAEF provides future leaders of Kosovo with the tools they need to promote the country's economic development.

In 2004, American Councils for International Education was awarded a contract with the United States Agency for International Development to manage the Fund and administer scholarships to some of Kosovo's brightest students to study in US graduate schools. Since 2004, KAEF has operated as an independent entity that does not receive funds from the American government. Today, KAEF is supported largely through the charitable support of individuals and businesses in Kosovo, American supporters, and American universities. To learn more, visit here or contact eromanova@americancouncils.org.

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