Prof. Ass. Dr. Fatime Arënliu Qosaj was born in Prizren, where she also completed her primary and secondary education. In 1991, she graduated from the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Medicine (https://www.unsa.ba/en/org-jedinica/faculty-medicine), earning the title Doctor of Medicine. In 2004, she completed her Master of Public Health (MPH) studies at Harvard University – School of Public Health (https://hsph.harvard.edu). Alongside her work with international organizations in and outside Kosovo (including the World Health Organization, World Bank, and UNDP/UNAIDS) and her engagements with the Ministry of Health – Government of the Republic of Kosovo, in 2017 she defended her doctoral dissertation at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany – Center for International Health. Her doctoral research focused on health economics, with a dissertation titled: “An empirical model of healthcare access, health care expenditures and impoverishment in Kosovo.” She was awarded the title Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Medical Research – International Health (https://www.cih.lmu.de).
Prof. Ass. Dr. Arënliu Qosaj is an expert in public health policy, health system management, and the integration of health policies in accordance with the EU acquis. At the Faculty of Medical Sciences at AAB College, she is a co-founder, -leader, and lecturer in the Scientific Master Program in Health Management, as well as a lecturer at the Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of Dentistry. Within the framework of the Scientific Master Program in Health Management, she and her students have represented Kosovo in the establishment and implementation of a digital platform for teaching and learning about global health challenges and the “One Health” experience. This was a common initiative by universities from Brazil (Federal University of Espírito Santo and Federal University of Paraná), Germany (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Technical University of Munich), Mozambique (Catholic University of Mozambique), and Kosovo (AAB College). Additionally, as part of this program, and in collaboration with legal experts on the health acquis,—based on her research on Kosovo’s health policy dimension in the EU accession process—she formulated and launched the course “Health Acquis,” supported by the European Commission.
Fatime Arënliu Qosaj is an active member of the scientific working group at the Harvard Global Health Institute(https://globalhealth.harvard.edu), focusing on strengthening the resilience of global health systems. She also collaborates with the research team at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (https://www.ntnu.edu) on research examining the impact of financial factors on access to cancer care.
Her scientific contributions include key publications and presentations, as outlined below:
Scientific Publications
Arenliu Qosaj, F., & Margaret, B. (2024). Health policy developments in the Western Balkan Countries 2000–19: towards European Health and Health Care Policies. European Journal of Public Health; Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckae045
Arenliu Qosaj, F., Weine, S. M., Sejdiu, P., Hasani, F., Statovci, S., Behluli, V., & Arenliu, A. (2022). Prevalence of Perceived Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in HCW in Kosovo during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(24), 16667. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416667
Vicente, C., Jacobs, F., de Carvalho, D., Chhaganlal, K., de Carvalho, R., Raboni, S., Qosaj, F. and Tanaka, L., 2021. Creating a platform to enable collaborative learning in One Health: The Joint Initiative for Teaching and Learning on Global Health Challenges and One Health experience. On Health, 12, p.100245. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771421000355#!
Vicente, C., Jacobs, F., de Carvalho, D., Chhaganlal, K., de Carvalho, R., Raboni, S., Qosaj, F., Dau, P., Ferreira, M., Brunetti, M. and Tanaka, L., 2022. The Joint Initiative for Teaching and Learning on Global Health Challenges and One Health experience on implementing an online collaborative course. One Health, 15, p.100409. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771422000416
Arenliu Qosaj, F., Froeschel,G., Berisha, M., Bellaqa, B., Holle,R. Catastrophic expenditures and impoverishment due to out-of-pocket health payments in Kosovo. Cost E Resour Alloc (2018) 16:26 https://resource- allocation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12962-018-0111-1
Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome. Mirije Begolli, Ilir Begolli, Xhenane Gojani, Fatime Arenliu- Qosaj, Merita Berisha. Medicinski arhiv (2011). DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2011.65.378-379. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22299306
Planning Health Sector Reform in post-conflict situations: Kosovo 1999 –2000”, Dean Shuey, Fatime Arenliu Qosaj, Eric Schouten, Anthony Zwi. Health Policy Journal Elsevier, 63 (2003) 299-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-8510(02)00121-5
Research reports
Arënliu Qosaj, F., & Arënliu, A. (2024). A comprehensive analysis of professional burnout among physicians in Kosovo [Raport final për OMK Prishtinë].
Arënliu Qosaj, F. (2020, August 15). COVID-19 impact on health services and health system in Kosovo [Raport final për Zyrën e OBSH Prishtinë]
Vian, T., Arënliu-Qosaj, F., Beqiri, A., Z. Neziri, S., & Skenderi, P. (2014). Corruption risk assessment in the health sector in Kosovo. Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency & UNDP. Link
Begolli, I., & Arënliu-Qosaj, F. (2011). Public health system reform. Kosovo Foundation for Open Society.
Arënliu Qosaj, F. (2011). Social determinants of health in Kosovo. In Public Pulse Report 2 (Chapter 5). United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) & USAID.
https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/ks/Public_Pulse-2_web_eng.pdf
Qosaj, F. A., & Berisha, M. K. (2010). Transition in health and health care in Kosovo. Kosova School of Public Health.
Loxha Sahatciu, N., Xharra, B., Gashi, A., Dastel, B., Canning, C., Mujko-Nimani, V., Arënliu-Qosaj, F., & Uka, S. (2010). Kosovo: MDG Fact 2010. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/publications/Kosovo—MDG-Factsheet-2010.pdf
Demukaj, V., Kotorri, M., Gorani-Gashi, V., Arënliu-Qosaj, F., Kika-Salihu, V., & Gashi, A. (2007). Second Millennium Development Goals Kosovo – Health Chapters. United Nations DevelopmentProgramme(UNDP). Link
Key presentations
A comprehensive analysis of professional burnout among physicians in Kosovo – Preliminary results. Symposium of the Central and Eastern European Chambers of Physicians (ZEVA), Prishtina, 07/09/2024.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers – European Public Health Conference, Berlin, Germany, 9-11/11/2022.
Health System Reforms in Kosovo – Aiming European Union Standards – The Perspective of the Integration of the Western Balkans into the EU – Kolegji AAB, Online International Scientific Conference, Prishtina, 24/04/2021
Summit on Threatened Health Systems – Harvard Global Health Institute, workshop and panel discussion, Boston, SHBA, 21-22/06/2017, Boston, USA.
Post Conflict Health System Development in Kosovo – World Health Summit, Berlin, Germany, 11/11/2015
Health System Reform in Kosovo: Measuring Financial Risk Protection, 2014 – Public Health Conference, Tirana, 04/05/2016.
Health Financing System in Kosovo – Conference: Management Health Sector Challenge – Academy of Sciences Albania and Kosovo, 15/10/2010, Tirana, Albania.
Status of Achievement of Universal Access in Kosovo – UNAIDS Regional Management Meeting, Kiev October 4-8/10/2010.
Health financing policy analyses and viable reform options for Kosovo, Fatime A. Qosaj, Mybera Mustafa, 2nd Balkan Forum on Reforms of Health Care System Financing, 6-7/11/2008, Portorož, Slovenia
Defining and costing basic package of care in Kosovo – Fatime Arenliu Qosaj, Veronica Vargas, 6th World Congress on Health Economics, Copenhagen, 8-11/07/2007
“Achievements and challenges during 2005” – Ministry of Health Annual Activity Report – Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo, presentation to representatives of written and electronic media in Kosovo, 29/12/2005
“Mapping Decentralisation in Kosova” – The First World Bank ECA – MENA Health Conference, Government of Turkey and WB Washington – Kemer, Antalya, 09/2004
“Kosovo Health Policy Implementation-Analyses of its Eight Benchmarks set in post conflict situation”, Prishtinë, 26/03/03.
“Health Policy Process in Kosovo” – Guest lecturer, Prishtina University – Economic Faculty and Medical Faculty, 4/26/02
Kosovo experience – Consultation on Planning Ahead for the Health Impact of Complex Emergencies, WHO Geneva – 12/99
Culture and Art
In addition to her academic and scientific endeavors, Prof. Ass. Dr. Fatime Arënliu Qosaj is also an artist, known for her co-creations with nature and her philosophical reflections that intertwine the transience of time with human sensitivity. On April 18, 2025, she opened her first solo art exhibition in Pristina, in collaboration with DADA Art Gallery and curator Prof. Ass. Enver Hoxhaj, under the title “Grimcat” (“The Particles”). Through painting and sculpture, she conveyed a vision of continuous transformation in motion, reflecting on the connection between art, science, and existence. She continues to create in her studio in Pristina, where painting and sculpting remain an inseparable part of her personal and professional identity.
(exhibition video/ Facebook – DADA Art Gallery / Enver Art Gallery).
Prof. Ass. Dr. Fatime Arënliu Qosaj is a distinguished academic figure with extensive experience at the intersection of scientific research, policy development, and health system improvement. She is recognised for her ability to integrate practical experience with theoretical reflection and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge through her scientific publications. With an interdisciplinary approach and a strong commitment to quality, sustainable financing, European integration, and systemic innovation, she has led and supported key processes of collaboration between academia, public and private institutions, and international organisations. She represents a respected voice in scientific circles, higher education, and public health in Kosovo and beyond.