Prishtina, December 2, 2025
Prof. Rifat Latifi, Professor of Surgery at the University of Arizona, and Founder and President of the International Virtual e-Hospital, has been appointed as the Director of the Kosova Center for Research, Simulations and Advanced Surgical and Medical Training (KCRST) at the University of Prishtina. Prof. Latifi is also the initiator of the KCRST.
The Kosova Center for Research, Simulations, and Advanced Surgical and Medical Training at UP will provide support in education and research for all surgical branches and will address important issues such as medical diplomacy and advanced technologies. The center is expected to engage local and international medical professionals and engineers, with the aim of providing opportunities for collaboration and developing advanced training programs.
The main objectives of KCRST include the creation of comprehensive programs, improving research capabilities, and integrating advanced technologies. The Center will also serve as a platform for the publications of the Kosova College of Surgeons and will develop collaborations with international universities and institutions.
The inclusion of simulation laboratories, telemedicine programs, and generally a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of trauma and emergency will be essential in the work of the center. Hence, the KCRST will also produce scientific literature and support medical diplomacy and global health.
The newly elected Director, Prof. Rifat Latifi, emphasized that this center will be a leading institution for education, research, and technological advancement in the field of surgery, including surgical medicine, trauma, and emergency.
The Rector of the University of Pristina, Prof. Arben Hajrullahu, expressed his satisfaction with the appointment of Prof. Rifat Latifi as the Director of the KCRST at the UP.
Prof. Hajrullahu emphasized that the KCRST, as the first center of its kind in the Balkan region, will offer new opportunities for students and healthcare professionals. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the integration of modern technologies to advance healthcare standards in Kosovo and beyond.
The Rector also expressed his conviction that under the leadership of Prof. Latifi, the KCRST will contribute to the development of surgical medicine and will encourage scientific research and innovation to meet future challenges in the field of healthcare. Professor Hajrullahu also called for support from various institutions to achieve the ambitious goals of this center, making Kosova a leader in surgical education and health. “Our center will be a platform for education, research, and professional development, to create a better future for healthcare professionals in Kosova,” said Rector Hajrullahu.
In conclusion, Prof. Rifat Latifi expressed his belief that the KCRST is one of the most ambitious initiatives in the field of healthcare and surgical education in Kosova, therefore, it needs serious support from the state to achieve its potential in the country and throughout the region.
In September 2025, the University of Pristina and the Kosova College of Surgeons signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides details on how the Kosova Center for Research, Simulations and Advanced Surgical and Medical Training will function at the University of Prishtina.
* This text is sourced from the official announcement of the University of Prishtina at: Activities – Universiteti i Prishtinës