South East European University (SEEU) operates under a core mission to advance higher education in the Albanian language while fostering mutual interethnic understanding. The University is firmly committed to offering a multilingual and multicultural educational environment, aligning its teaching and research programs with broad European and international standards.

SEEU was founded following a 2000 initiative by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, with strong backing from international donors. This foundation reflects the University’s strategic role in promoting inclusive, high-quality education in the Republic of North Macedonia.

At the heart of SEEU’s mission are the principles of excellence, equity, transparency, and efficiency. The University upholds the highest academic standards across all faculties and departments and promotes a culture of continuous improvement, recognizing that quality is both an individual and institutional responsibility.

To this end, SEEU has cultivated a strong internal quality culture through its Quality Assurance Office, which leads the development and implementation of both internal and external evaluation and monitoring procedures, followed by effective quality management processes. Since July 2015, SEEU has proudly held the ‘HR Excellence in Research’ award, becoming the first and only university in the country to receive this distinction. Complementing its academic mission, SEEU is also a regional pioneer in student career development. The Career Center, established as the first of its kind in the region, serves as a vital bridge between students and the labor market by working with both current students and alumni.