University of Kansas, the Dole Institute of Politics, and the University of Prishtina are proud to announce a new partnership for a new era

Just days before the 35th anniversary of the historic visit of the U.S. Senate delegation to Kosovo, led by Robert J. Dole on August 29, 1990, the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas and the University of Prishtina marked the launch of their partnership through a video announcement, pledging to bring in a new and bright era of cooperation. 

In the video, Audrey Coleman, Director of the Robert J. Dole Institute, outlined the shared values underpinning this partnership with the University of Prishtina.

“In honor of that day [August 29, 1990] and the shared values expressed during the meeting, affirming together the highest ideals of freedom, democracy, independence, and equal rights and representation, we are proud of announce a partnership between the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Cansas and the University of Prishtina,” Coleman stated.  

Arben Hajrullahu, Rector of the University of Prishtina, emphasized the partnership’s purpose in the same video:

“This partnership will promote the continued exchange of dialogue between new generations of our nation’s leaders who are committed to these same ideals and connecting across differences,” Rector Hajrullahu said.  

The video also hinted at joint activities between the Robert J. Dole Institute and the University of Prishtina in the coming months.  

U.S. Senator Robert J. Dole of Kansas had led six colleagues on a visit to then-occupied Kosovo on August 29, 1990, where they were greeted at the Grand Hotel by Dr. Ibrahim Rugova and other leaders of Kosovo’s independence movement. Following this visit, the Albanian people’s steadfast ally declared, “Freedom is coming, democracy is coming, human rights are coming”—a prophecy fulfilled a decade later. 

The University of Prishtina formalized its cooperation with the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics and the University of Kansas on June 28, 2025. The full video detailing this partnership can be viewed below.