Minister of Internal Affairs Agim Veliu visited the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety

Vushtrri, 16 July 2020–  The General Director of the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety Ismail Smakiqi hosted today the Minister  of Internal Affairs Agim Veliu where the topic of discussion was the beginning of basic training of cadets of the 55th generation of Kosovo Police. During this visit, Minister Veliu was informed about the latest developments and the processes that the Academy is going through.

Minister Veliu was accompanied by Bajram Gecaj, Chief of Cabinet and his advisors, while the meeting was also attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Public Safety Bejtush Gashi and senior leaders of the Academy Rrahim Rexha, Kastriot Jashari, Shpend Shabani and Avni Istrefi.

 At the beginning of the meeting, Director Smakiqi informed Minister Veliu about the activities and actions undertaken by KAPS during the period of the COVID pandemic 19.
Regarding these activities and actions taken, Director Smakiqi said that "in addition to daily and routine work, the Academy has drafted the 'Governance Continuity Plan for KAPS' and 'Protocol for the implementation of the recommendations of the MoH and NIPH in the working place. All staff participated in the lecture (presentation) 'Awareness of officials regarding COVID-19 disease, protective measures and hygiene' which was given by the doctor of the Academy ".

Whereas Smakiqi informed the Minister about the activities in the Academy,  lessons that are being taught by FPS students and cadets of the 55th generation of the Kosovo Police. “After the interruption of the educational process in KAPS, the teachers of the Faculty of Public Safety have continued to develop distance learning with students, and on 06.07.2020 I started the professional training 'New Policeman', the teaching continues online through the distance learning platform E -training ", said Smakiqi.

Director Smakiqi also made a presentation of the Academy; the mission, achievements and challenges of the Academy. Speaking about the achievements of the Academy, director Smakiqi in particular emphasized the creation of the study program Bachelor Public Safety, Accreditation of this study program and institutional accreditation of the Academy by the Kosovo Accreditation Agency; Establishment of the Faculty of Public Safety; Establishment of Professional Programs for six Public Safety Agencies. Director Smakiqi also spoke about the accreditation of the Academy and the validation of professional programs by the National Qualifications Authority as well as the International Accreditation by the International Association of Directors of Standards of the United States of America (IADLEST).

  Director Smakiqi also informed Minister Veliu about the new accreditation process for 2021 of all these programs and the institutional re-accreditation of the Academy. In the meantime, Director Smakiqi requested the support of the Minister in the new accreditation process, ie meeting the conditions required by the National Qualifications Authority, for the purpose of re-accreditation.

While the Minister of Internal Affairs Agim Veliu after these presentations  encouraged the director for the work done.   Director Smakiqi also informed Minister Veliu about the new accreditation process for 2021 of all these programs and the institutional re-accreditation of the Academy. I am here today with my collaborators to assure you that my attention as Minister of Internal Affairs is and will be towards the Academy, in order to preserve the achievements of the Academy so far, which are numerous, from any influence, whatever it may be and to take care to jointly preserve and establish an institution which has already made a name not only in Kosovo, but also in the international arena ", said Minister Veliu. Director Smakiqi also informed Minister Veliu about the new accreditation process for 2021 of all these programs and the institutional re-accreditation of the Academy.

Expressing satisfaction with the Academy's partnership at the international level and the Academy's participation in networks of international associations, Minister Veliu said "I want to thank our international partners who have made an extraordinary contribution to the establishment of the Academy, such as the OSCE, ICITAP who, in the constant meetings I have with them, have an extraordinary care, a special attention for the Academy "

Thanking the director Smakiqi for the reception, he said “I promise you once again that I will have the special attention for the Academy, you will have my absolute support in the  of the Academy and in the needs and that  Academy has, and the country must fulfill those requirements. During Mr. Veliu's visit to the KAPS campus, he saw closely the cadet exercises at the firearms simulation center and participated in the development of  online lesson with the 55th generation cadets of the Kosovo Police. On this occasion, the Minister addressed the cadets, motivating them to successfully complete their training and join their colleagues in the daily tasks of the Kosovo Police.