U.S. Ambassador Discusses KAEF Graduate Fellowships with Business Leaders

Former U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, John Menzies, addressed Albanian American business leaders on the need to strengthen education in post-independence Kosovo during his speech at a New York City fundraiser on November 10, 2011 for the Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF). Ambassador Menzies spoke about the need to promote education and economic development in Kosovo. The opportunity for Kosovars to pursue graduate study in the U.S. will give them necessary job skills in a competitive global market and create better-trained professionals and leaders for the new country. He went on to say, "the Kosovo American Education Fund is playing an important role in this effort by making the best graduate programs in the world available to young Kosovar scholars."

Since 2004, American Councils for International Education has administered the KAEF endowment and Graduate Fellowship program on behalf of United States Agency for International Development (USAID). KAEF provides funding for eight to ten Kosovars each year to pursue masters-level studies at U.S. universities. Graduate Fellows must demonstrate a strong commitment to economic development and to their country's prosperity. Graduate Fellow, Besian Mustafa noted, "I will enter the Kosovo job market knowing that I have received the best education available." American Councils' President, Dr. Dan E. Davidson, noted the importance of the meeting between Ambassador Menzies and business leaders "for raising awareness among Kosovars of the value of graduate and professional training in building an internationally competitive economy and independent society."

Ambassador Menzies served as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer for over twenty years, including a tour as the Chief of Mission to the U.S. office in Kosovo from 2001 to 2002. While in Kosovo, Ambassador Menzies led negotiations to form a new government, forged compromises between political parties, organized and monitored the first democratic elections, and helped develop the post-war economy. Ambassador Menzies currently serves as the Dean of the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University.

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