Dr. Xhavit Rexhaj has built an outstanding academic profile, with a long and multidimensional experience in the field of education. He began his academic journey at the University of Pristina, graduating in 1987 as a teacher of English language. He pursued further specialization and deepened his knowledge through multiple academic and professional degrees. Between 1993 and 1995, he was awarded a scholarship to Ruskin College, Oxford, where he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in British Studies, with the final Dissertation focused on “British attitudes towards the Balkan crises from 1945 to 1995”.
His commitment to education is reflected in two Master’s degrees earned at the University of Pristina: one in English Philology (2009) and the other in Education Sciences (2011). These culminated in a PhD in Education from the University of Tirana (2016), with a dissertation titled “The Application of Constructivism in the Teaching and Learning of English in Kosovo Schools.” Additionally, in 2016 under a Fulbright Scholarship, Dr. Rexhaj completed postdoctoral studies at UCLA and Lehman College in the U.S., focusing on educational leadership, management, and learning theories.
Dr. Rexhaj’s career spans over 35 years, encompassing every level of the education system—from pre-school education to scientific research and from university teaching to policymaking and strategic leadership in national and international settings. He has held high-level positions within the Kosovo Ministry of Education, including Deputy Minister (2020–2021), Head of the Department of Education, Director of the National In-Service Teacher Qualification Program, and Member of the State Quality Council responsible for accreditation of Higher Education programmes and institutions.
Academically, he has served as lecturer and professor at the University of Pristina for over three decades and between 2012 – 2015 served as Vice-Rector at AAB College, where he is still teaching at the Faculties of English Language and Social Sciences. He has worked extensively as a consultant and expert for international organizations such as GIZ, the Council of Europe, USAID, OSCE, IOM, and the Austrian Development Agency, contributing to policy development, curriculum reform, institutional evaluations, human rights based approach in higher education, language and community rights, and quality assurance mechanisms.
His leadership has been central to drafting national education strategies, establishing the Kosovo Accreditation Agency, and promoting inclusive, multilingual, and constructivist education practices. He has been an active member of numerous state-level bodies, including the State Council for Teacher Licensing, State Council for School Textbooks, and the State Quality Council for Higher Education.
Dr. Rexhaj’s academic contributions include over 20 scientific articles and other publications, reports, and books. He is the author of the book “Theories and Strategies of Teaching: Constructivist Approach” (2019) and has co-authored peer-reviewed articles published in journals such as the European Journal of Education and the International Journal of Inclusive Education.
His work addresses critical themes such as academic integrity, constructivist teaching, inclusive education, learning environments in higher education, and policymaking in transitional contexts. Many of his reports and policy documents have served as foundational resources in Kosovo’s education reforms and institutional development efforts.
Dr. Rexhaj has participated in numerous national and international conferences focused on higher education, policy development, and teaching methodologies. He has presented his research and policy studies in countries such as Greece, Germany, Austria, Croatia, the United Kingdom, and Albania, representing Kosovo’s institutions and contributing actively to regional and European dialogue on education.
In addition to presenting papers, he has served as a panelist, international trainer, and researcher in projects funded by Erasmus+, the European Training Foundation, and other European programs.
Dr. Xhavit Rexhaj has undertaken a variety of study visits to higher education and policymaking institutions in the UK, Canada, USA, Austria, Germany, Finland, Slovenia, Romania, North Macedonia, and Albania. He has been part of official delegations and study programs contributing to the transfer of best practices into Kosovo’s education system. He has participated in the Bergen Summit of Ministers responsible for Higher Education as part of the Bologna Process in 2005.
Media appearances: Xhavit Rexhaj has given hundreds of interviews and opinions on developments mainly in the field of education and scientific research in Kosovo national and local TV and radio stations, as well as online media platforms over the two decades. He is recognized as one of the most outspoken and critical voices regarding the main developments in Kosovo education, but also recommending solutions to the identified and well analysed issues and problems. He has been consulted widely by all Kosovo political parties on education issues.
Rexhaj, X., 2023, Gjendja dhe cilësia e mësimit në shkollat e vogla dhe paralelet e ndara – në kontekstin e organizimit të tanishëm të rrjetit të shkollave në Kosovë (Eng. The current situation and quality of education in small and satellite school – in the context of the current organization of the school network in Kosovo), Kosova Education Centre and KFOS (report) Link
Rexhaj, X., 2022, Alignment of education provision with the child rights in education in Kosovo, a report commissioned by the Kosovo Ombudsperson and financed by the Council of Europe Project “Support to IOK Institution of Kosovo” (to be published in July 2022). Link
Rexhaj, X., Tahiri, A., Demjaha B., 2022, Case Study of Experience: designing, developing and using learning and teaching spaces in Kosovo higher education – Case of the AAB College, Link
Rexhaj, X., Demjaha B., 2021, Exploration of Policy and Practice: Learning and Teaching Space in Kosovo Higher Education, “National Report” by Kosovo about policy and practice of designing L&T spaces in Kosovo higher education including institutional levels; an Erasmus Plus funded project in Teaching and Learning Spaces in Higher Education, https://www.evalag.de/ltshe
Saqipi, B., Rexhaj, Xh., 2020, Moving from survival to development: Experiences in Kosovo from developing academic identity in a transitional context, European Journal of Education, – Wiley Online Library https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ejed.12425
Rexhaj Xhavit, 2019, Teori dhe strategji të mësimdhënies: Qasja konstruktiviste (Eng. Theories and Strategies of Teaching: Constructivist approach), book, AAB Publishing House, Pristina
Rexhaj Xhavit, 2016, Constructivist approaches and strategies for improving the listening language skills, – core.ac.uk https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/143965128.pdf
Rexhaj, X., 2016, Higher Education in Kosovo: A Prolonged Transition, X Rexhaj – International Higher Education, ejournals.bc.edu https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/143965128.pdf
Rexhaj, Xh., Pupovci, D., 2014, Access to Higher Education in Kosovo, University of Patras, Greece, eReview ACADEMIA, , 2014
Rexhaj, Xh. and Kolnik, N., A Perspective on the Kosovo Higher Education System. In: Higher Education in Central and Eastern Europe: Stepping into a New Era., European Association for International Education, EAIE 2014 Annual Conference, Prague, 2014
Rexhaj, Xh., Assessment of Current Practices in Teaching and Learning of languages in Kosovo schools, Albanian Journal of Educational Studies (AJES), Vol. 2, 2013, Tirana
Closs, A, … Rexhaj Xh., Dearth of early education experience: a significant barrier to subsequent educational and social inclusion in the Western Balkans, International Journal of Inclusive Education, ISSN 1360-3116 (Print), 1464-5173 (Online), London UK, 2013. Link
Rexhaj Xh., Saqipi B., Challenges and Opportunities of School-Based Professional Development in a Decentralizing System, Albanian International Conference in Education (AICE), CDE, Tirana 2013.
Rexhaj Xh., Mula M., Hima A., Mapping policies and practices for the preparation of teachers for inclusive education in contexts of social and cultural diversity, Country Report for Kosovo, European Training Foundation, 2010, Turin
Rexhaj Xh., Feasibility study into the community education in Kosovo, OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities, Prishtina, 2010, (unpublished)
Rexhaj Xh., Roli i Britanisë së Madhe në krizat dhe konfliktet në Ballkan 1945 – 1995 (Role of Great Britain in the crises and conflicts in the Balkans 1945-1995), Revista “Liberal”, 1997, Prishtinë
Rexhaj Xh., Reforma e arsimit të lartë në Kosovë – rast i ndikimit të fuqishëm ndërkombëtar (Reforms in higher education: Kosovo – a case of strong international influence), Revista “Ekskluzive”, Prishtinë, 2004 Link
Rexhaj Xh., Plani Strategjik 2010 – 2013 për Gjykatën Kushtetuese të Kosovës, Prishtinë, 2010 (Strategic Plan for the Constitutional Court of Kosovo 2010-2013) Link
Wort M., Hedwall F., Pupovci D., Rexhaj Xh., Roadmap for the Education Sector, Ministry of Education, Science and technology, Prishtina, 2008
Ministria e Arsimit, Shkencës dhe Teknologjisë, Strategjia e Arsimit Parauniversitar 2006-2016, (Pre-University Education Strategy 2006-2016), Prishtinë, 2006 (anëtar i grupit punues)
