The University in Gjilan (UGJ) was founded by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosova on the Establishment of Public Universities, dated on 6 March 2013 , which was approved by theKosova Assembly on 31 May 2013.The University of Gjilan is located in the town of Gjilan, i.e. in the South-East Kosova, in the Anamorava Region . The function of the University of Gjilan was determined by the temporary Statute, which was approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) of the Republic of Kosova.

The establishment of the Public University of Gjilan was an important event for the citizens of the Municipality of Gjilan, the Anamorava Region, and the Presheva Valley. According to the results of the population census conducted by the Statistics Agency of the Republic of Kosova in 2011, about 170,000 inhabitants live in Anamorava . While, in the Presheva Valley, which includes the municipalities of Presheva , Bujanoc and Medvegja, there live about 57,800 inhabitants of Albanian nationality. Consequently, the University of Gjilan has as its primary objective to attract potential students from these areas due to geographical proximity and lower living costs that Gjilan offers compared to Prishtina, the capital of the Republic of Kosova.

The Public University of Gjilan consists of four academic units:

• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of Computer Science

The University faculties consist of departments as regards the teaching activity. All faculties offer full-time studies at the bachelor level in compliance with the provisions of the University Statute. The prospective of the PUGJ and its Rectorate is envisaged opening of new faculties in the near future.