Higher education in the Western Balkans is currently undergoing substantial changes as a result of European reform ideas, new domestic policy initiatives as well as universities and colleges in the region trying to adapt to new expectations and challenges. The book analyzes the changes in both policy and practices in various countries in this region predominantly through a comparative approach. Through a number of empirical studies in which new data was collected and systematized, the book shows how countries in the Western Balkans are struggling to maneuver between adapting to broader European reform ideas while at the same time handling domestic challenges. Hence, the book is a valuable contribution to those interested in studying how various higher education systems are developing in the different European regions.

Contents: Bjørn Stensaker/Jelena Brankovi¿/Maja Koväevi¿/Peter Maassen/Martina Vukasovi¿: Introduction ¿ Martina Vukasovi¿: How Can and How Does Europe Matter? ¿ Danijela Dolenec/Nikola Baketa/Peter Maassen: Europeanizing Higher Education and Research Systems of the Western Balkans ¿ Antigoni Papadimitri¿u/Bjørn Stensaker: Governance Capacity of Western Balkan Universities: Perceptions of Institutional Leadership ¿ Jelena Brankovi¿: Positioning of Private Higher Education Institutions in the Western Balkans: Emulation, Differentiation and Legitimacy Building ¿ Martin Galevski: Dimensions of Higher Education Governance in Macedonia: Exploring the Roles of the State ¿ Sanja Kanazir/Antigoni Papadimitriou/Bjørn Stensaker: Quality Assurance Agencies in the Western Balkans: Balancing European Standards and Domestic Needs? ¿ Martina Vukasovi¿: Quality Assurance in Croatia and Serbia: Analysis of Changes of Policy and Internal Organizational Practices ¿ Antigoni Papadimitriou/Nina Brankovi¿/Snežana ¿or¿evi¿: The Regional Links of Universities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia ¿ Heliona Miço/Suzana Papadhopulli: Differentiation of the Mission of Higher Education Institutions through Developing and Establishing Regional Development Centres at Each Regional University ¿ Bjørn Stensaker/Jelena Brankovi¿/Maja Koväevi¿/Peter Maassen/Martina Vukasovi¿: Epilogue.