Today at the University of Tetova, the Second International Student Conference, organized by the Student Parliament, officially started its proceedings with the topic: “Student Research: Knowledge that Matters”. The conference aims to promote science, highlight the research potential of young people, and create an international collaborative space that fosters innovation and critical thinking. The opening ceremony was attended by vice-rectors, senators, deans, professors, former Student Parliament presidents, institutional representatives, and a large number of students from both inside and outside the country.
In his speech, the Vice-Rector for Science, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, emphasized the historical and identity dimension of the University of Tetova. He reminded the audience that UT is not merely an academic center but a symbol of a long journey toward knowledge, freedom, and national dignity. “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. It was based on this premise that the University of Tetova was preserved, rebuilt, and kept alive. Because it was not a miracle but a sacrifice, and not a gift but determination. When we talk about the University of Tetova, we are not just talking about an academic institution. We are talking about a whole history of resistance. Education in the Albanian language has not been merely a right – it has been an act of emancipation, an act of self-defense, and an act of freedom. Even Lea Ypi, the distinguished Albanian philosopher and author of the masterpiece Free, said: “The University of Tetova is the embodiment and fulfillment of the idea of the pursuit of freedom”. There have been moments when the fate of the University was closely tied to the fate of the nation. Moments when the University was not just a place of knowledge, but a place of resistance; a place where suppressed will was liberated; a place where energy was accumulated to confront injustice. The more pressure grew to halt education in Albanian, the stronger the determination became not to surrender. The more the right to knowledge was denied, the clearer it became that freedom and education always go hand in hand. The University of Tetova was revived and kept alive not only by its educators but by the people who founded it; by the students who entered lecture halls even when they were surrounded; by the families who opened their homes as classrooms; by an unstoppable idea that knowledge, one day, would open the path to freedom, development, and dignity for our people. Today, at the Second Student Conference, we remember that UT is not just a university – it is a historical act. And the Student Parliament of UT is not merely a representative structure – it is the engine and promoter of a generation that believes the future is built through work”, – emphasized the Vice-Rector for Science, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
Continuing his speech, he stated that the University of Tetova is not merely a hub of knowledge. The University of Tetova has its own DNA, and anyone who attempts to sabotage this DNA or tries to divert the spirit of UT… ironically, excludes themselves – not by the university, but by its history, by the natural course of its development. Each of them, in their own time, has served as a strong barrier against every challenge. “Today, I sincerely wish you success in all your endeavors. It is you who keep the spirit of the University alive, and it is you who will carry it further than any generation before you. Our eyes are on you. I want you to know that at every step you take, we will stand behind you with all the potential and support you deserve. Do not forget history, even when, decades from now, the story of the University of Tetova may be told along a thin line between legend and a past reality. Do not allow the sacrifice of those who built the foundations of this institution to become merely a tale. Keep it alive, preserve it, carry it with you, because the history of this university is not just memory- it is identity and a moral obligation for every generation to come”, – concluded the Vice-Rector for Science, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
President of the Student Parliament of the UT, and organizer of this conference, Mr. Leart Ibraimi, stated that this event we are organizing is an excellent opportunity to go beyond the boundaries of everyday lessons, to explore more deeply, to ask questions, and to seek answers.
“This is an event that has brought together students from various fields to build bridges of collaboration, friendship, and professional networks that will extend beyond the university setting. It is an exchange of ideas and experiences, where we can grow not only as individuals but also as part of a broader academic community. Our fortune is that today we are not starting everything from scratch; the first steps were taken last year with the First Student Conference. And, while they laid the foundations, today we have the responsibility to continue this tradition and make the Second Student Conference even more valuable, better organized, and more impactful than the first, because it is built upon the experience and lessons of the previous edition. Nothing you see today is the work of a single person. I want to sincerely thank the conference organizing team, the Student Parliament team that accepted the challenge and did not say ‘it is impossible,’ but rather ‘let’s try,’ the professors and mentors who believed in us, as well as the administrative staff who took care of the details that are unseen but felt when missing. A student conference is not merely a temporary activity, nor a formal event that happens annually. It is a space where ideas come to life, where our voices are heard, and where we, as young people, take responsibility in shaping the future. Here, we do not have only abstracts and presentations; we have ideas born in classrooms, in clinical practices, in projects, and in conversations among peers. They allow us to articulate the problems we see, propose solutions, and demonstrate that our generation has potential, creativity, and vision. They empower us to take an active role in the change we want to see. Dear students, participating in a conference is an investment in yourselves. It is an opportunity to learn, to grow confidence in your abilities, and to take the first steps toward a successful professional journey. Let us use this conference as a platform to share knowledge, challenge ourselves, and create a brighter future”, – stated the President of the Student Parliament of the UT , Leart Ibraimi.
Next, Ms. Bora Muzhaqi, an alumna of the London School of Economics and Political Science and the conference’s keynote speaker, shared contemporary perspectives on the role of students in the development of scientific research and innovation.
Meanwhile, the second speaker at the conference was Dr. Eldisa Cirogu, an alumna of Sapienza University of Rome, who addressed the importance of research methodology and its impact on the quality of student scientific output.
The conference will conclude tomorrow with the workshop: “Basic Life Support”. The formal closing ceremony of the conference ended with a performance by students from the Faculty of Arts, Rinesa Krasniqi and Hadim Misimi.
