University of Tetova marked its 29th anniversary through a solemn academy. Previously, the leadership of the University and the administrative staff paid homage in front of the statue of the founder and the first historic Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, and the monument ‘Flame of Memory.’ Over these 29 years, the University of Tetova has endeavored to build a dignified institution for all those who have chosen to study and work here. In the mosaic of our shared history, each piece represents a story of dedication, passion, and the pursuit of knowledge. From the pioneering educators who laid the foundations to the committed leaders, dedicated staff, and ambitious students who bring our classrooms to life, each individual has their contribution to the vibrant mosaic that is the University of Tetova
Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli made a retrospective of the events that we left behind this year and expressed his deep appreciation to all students, academic staff, administrative staff, and other employees of our University for their contributions during this calendar year.
Together, with desire, passion, hard work, dedication, effort, and continuous sacrifice, we have served in the promotion of knowledge, scientific research, innovation, and diversity.
For each anniversary, we assess our work to see if we have fulfilled the mission we have set for ourselves.
Today, on the eve of the conclusion of the winter semester 2023/2024 and the calendar year 2023, when we look back, we recall the successful moments and challenges we have faced together. These experiences have united us, grown us, inspired us, motivated us, and made us stronger on our journey towards acquiring new knowledge and achieving various scientific inquiries.
Before this retrospective, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we have achieved but also to consider creating new foundations for future plans with the aim of further developing the University of Tetova and achieving the goals and objectives that we, together with our staff, have outlined for the coming year.
We refer to the past based on the principle: to respect and learn from the past, to work continuously for the present, and to create a clear vision and strategy for the future of our University, which began its work with the guiding words from Naim’s work: “Only the knowledge will enlighten our future”. Because only through the light of thought, education, culture, art, and science we can travel safely towards the future.
Only through knowledge and humane actions in the service of the community do we ensure our existence in time, creating new opportunities to be part of alliances with other cultures. These collaborations and the exchange of experiences enable us to develop a new worldview and open up new perspectives in the era of globalization- said the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli.
In continuation of his speech, he also paused to reflect on the figures who left indelible traces in the history of this temple of knowledge.
“On this anniversary of our University, we remember and honor with deep respect the first rector, Professor Fadil Sulejmani, whose name this university bears today.
We remember with deep respect the martyr of the University of Tetova, Abdylselam Emini, and all the other martyrs who were also students of our University.
We remember and honor all the contributions of the past to this fortress of enlightenment, emancipation, and educational, cultural, artistic and scientific elevation that are recorded in the eternal pages of the University of Tetova.
We are deeply grateful to the Albanian people of this region; whose desire was that Albanians to be educated in the Albanian language. Thanks to this nationwide resistance, this university was established, despite the opposition of the authorities, which showed cruelty towards such a civic demand.
Only in this way we preserve our permanent memory, respect, and admiration for all those who gave everything for the advancement of this national, educational, and scientific institution. Only in this way we appreciate a monumental work that continues forever. Only in this way we offer the younger generations and our students a model of how to work for the common good. Because dedicated work, which leaves a mark or a sign in time, will always be remembered with honor and deep respect.
With this feeling of gratitude and responsibility today, we, as leaders, we are committed to providing guidance and support to students in their educational and scientific journey, without distinction of gender, nationality, religion, and race.
The University of Tetova, guided and led by the spirit of collaboration and solidarity, now offers excellent opportunities for the development and professionalization of students. The variety of study programs, modern infrastructure, numerous resources, and other opportunities make our university competitive with universities from the region and around the world.”
The Minister of Education of the Republic of North Macedonia, Jeton Shaqiri, stated that as the Minister of Education, he is happy with every deserved success of our educational institutions, therefore, investment in education is an investment in the future of society and as an Albanian, he is doubly happy in today’s success. The journey towards the establishment of the University of Tetova is filled with efforts and sacrifices, and its challenging history adds even more value to being the first Albanian university in the country. This institution paved the way for the development of Albanian education, language, and culture, enduring in our history as symbol of the realization of national ideas. Therefore, today, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations, both on my behalf and on behalf of the institution I represent, on the occasion of this anniversary. My congratulations go to the leadership, to the staff, to the collaborators, but also to the dear students, who are the most vital part of any university. He extended his congratulations to the leadership, staff, collaborators, and dear students, acknowledging their vital role. The Minister promised continuous support from the Ministry of Education and Science, emphasizing their duty to stand by educational institutions in shaping new generations and building our common future, rooted in education. As we have supported the University of Tetova in the previous years, and this year we support it with projects for laboratory equipment, with the construction of the state dormitory in Tetovo, which directly benefits the students for better standards and helps the family budget of each student. We also support research programs such as COST, Horizon, Erasmus, Fulbright, where this year we have doubled the budget both from the Ministry and from the U.S Government for students and researches from universities for study programs in American universities. Supporting projects for the development of education in general and higher education in particular, especially when it comes to quality education, is among the most fulfilling obligations of our work,” said the Minister of Education, Jeton Shaqiri.Top of Form
The President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, Talat Xhaferi, expressed that the University of Tetova has behind it an entire population who understand the value of education in their native language and has felt the denial of this fundamental rightAccording to him, when you have daring Albanian intellectuals, when you have determined students, eager for knowledge and progress, there is no force that can stop the light that knowledge brings in opening endless horizons. Fortunately, this determination has not extinguished; on the contrary, it grows and consolidates more each day. As we celebrate the 29th anniversary, we witness the growth, integration, expansion, and advancement of this educational institution. Things have changed for the better. I am informed that 183 study programs have been accredited in the first and second cycles with 17 reaccredited programs in the third cycle. International cooperation continues and expands. Scientific research develops in the right direction, and the University of Tetova is contributing, as are other expected academic institutions established earlier than itself. I am confident that this is due to the fact that students continue to be the main pillar and spirit of this institution, of course, with the leadership and support of the quality academic staff which, from generation to generation, produces quality and substantial values. They ensure quality lectures for students, guide and direct them towards opening their minds to new information from the contemporary and progressive world that reaches new heights every day. We, as legislators, do everything to create the most favorable and suitable conditions for the well-being, growth, and intellectual development of the younger generations. The challenges are significant, but we all have an obligation to offer the best starting point to keep pace with the world. Today, Tetovo is a university city with great student potential, where energy, will, and vision are felt in every corner, and we must do our utmost in our activities to ensure that this youthful energy is channeled, directed, and utilized in the best possible way, for the benefit of students, the local environment, and beyond. Let’s contribute so that they want to stay here, in their homeland, to see hope and perspective for the fulfillment of professional but, above all, familial aspirations. I am convinced that their success will be the greatest reward for all of us.” – said the President of the Assembly in RNM, Talat Xhaferi.
In this historical academy, acknowledgments could not be missing either. First, the dean of the Faculty of Economics, Prof. Dr. Brikend Aziri was honored with appreciation for the largest number of citations in the humanities and social sciences for 2023, and then appreciation was also given to the futsal team of the University of Tetova for the achieved success, as, this year they were declared champions of the University of the University Futsal Football League.
This solemn academy was concluded with some musical performances by Dajana Malollari and Selami Kolonja, accompanied on the piano by Shkëlzen Baftjari and Shkëlzen Pajaziti on the violin.
