University of Tetova, as the leader of the Presidency of the Balkan Universities Association for the academic year 2017/18, for two days, respectively March 30 – 31, 2018, organized the 4th Annual Conference and the next meeting of the aforementioned association, attended by over 40 rectors of Balkan universities and many scholars. After the conference, the Balkan Universities Association in the premises of the University of Tetova, on March 31, 2018, held the fourth meeting of the rectors of the universities of this association. In the beginning, the President of the Balkan Universities Association, Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, invited the Rector of the University of Business and Technology from Prishtina to sign the membership of this University as a new member of the Balkan Universities Association, after the application that this university has made a year ago.

At this meeting were reviewed and approved university applications, who have applied for their membership in this association. At the meeting, with the majority of votes were approved the applications of the following higher education institutions such as: University of Tirana, University of Korça, “Haxhi Zeka” University in Peja, University of Health Sciences – Istanbul, University of Bihać, University of Shkodra and University of Novi Sad. Then it was discussed about the quality of the accreditation process and intercollegiate cooperation, as well as the review and approval of the draft Statute of the Balkan Universities Association.

At the end of this meeting was handed over the Presidency of the Balkan Universities Association. After the University of Tetova, with the presidency of this Association during the academic year 2018/19 will preside the “Aristotle” University from Thessaloniki. On this occasion the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, handed over the presidency to the Rector of “Aristotle” University, Prof. Dr. Pericles A. Mitkas.

After receiving the presidency, he thanked the Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, for his successful leadership and management with the association, adding that he has perfectly managed the leadership of association and a strong evidence for this is the organizing of the conference and the warm welcome at this institution. During their two-day stay in the premises of the University of Tetova, rectors of different Balkan universities highly appreciated the role and work of the University of Tetova and the Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.

Rector of University of Tuzla, Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić, said that the conference at the University of Tetova was perfect. “It was very interesting and incredibly useful for us and for our university, the University of Tuzla. We are very grateful to the Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti and the University of Tetova for the hospitality and for everything they’ve done. We signed an agreement with Trakya University, which is very important for us and I hope that the cooperation between our universities in the future will be even more advanced” – said Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić.

Former Rector of “St. Kliment Ohridski” University of Sofia, Prof. Dr. Ivan Ilchev, highly appreciated this scientific organization. “I am very pleased to be in Tetovo at the 4th Annual Conference of the BUA. In fact, I have participated in all BUA conferences and I am glad that every next conference is at a higher level than the previous one, so I would like to congratulate the University of Tetova for the organization, especially to express my gratitude to my colleagues, to the leaders at the University of Tetova who did everything for the conference to be successful and I hope that the University of Tetova and its Rector will be part of the leadership of the Association for the next two years and will continue to make a great contribution to the Association” – said Prof. Dr. Ivan Ilchev.

Rector of Trakya University, Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu was very grateful for the organization of the conference and the 4th BUA meeting, thus creating a new atmosphere of cooperation between universities. “This meeting was organized in Tetovo. My friend, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti hosted us in the most magnificent. Many universities from all over the Balkans participated in this conference. Universities exchanged their knowledge and experiences by creating a warm cooperation atmosphere. I thank the University of Tetova, the honorable Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti and his staff for taking care of us and for this organization. We were received very well, so we are very grateful for this hospitality” – emphasized Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu.

While the Rector of the University of Korça, Prof. Dr. Ali Jashari said that the organizing of this event was a good lesson and experience for all the rectors. “It was an excellent organization by the University of Tetova and I believe that I and other rectors learned from the experience of how such great events can be organized, as the 4th Annual Conference organized by the University of Tetova is, which so far has led the Balkan Universities Association. On this occasion I would like to thank all those who worked for the realization of this conference, in particular the Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, who showed a great hospitality and organization of this great event that took place during these two days in Tetovo” – said Prof. Dr. Ali Jashari.

Vice-rector of “Haxhi Zeka” University from Peja, Prof. Dr. Ibish Mazreku, added that this conference was a good opportunity for sharing new experiences on the functioning of the Universities. “I sincerely congratulate the University of Tetova and the Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti for the great organization, which was in the spirit of creating new collaborations between universities, creating new ideas regarding the functioning and strengthening of higher education institutions. The organization was great in all aspects, I am positively surprised with this two-day event here at your University” – added Prof. Dr. Ibish Mazreku.

Considerations for organizing of this event were also given by the new President of the Balkan Universities Association, the Rector of “Aristotle” University from Thessaloniki, Prof. Dr. Pericles A. Mitkas. He said that organizers have paid a detailed attention to this event. “This is my first visit to Tetovo after about 40 years, and my first visit at this University. I am very impressed with the organization of the conference and everything was planned and accomplished very well. I think all participants are satisfied with what we did and how we delivered the papers at the conference. Every detail was taking care of, we enjoyed the last night dinner and the whole atmosphere has helped all of us to have a better understanding and deliver better lectures. We hope that we will do the same in Thessaloniki” – said Prof. Dr. Pericles A. Mitkas.

Rectors of the Association’s member universities during their stay in Tetovo visited the Historical Museum of the University of Tetova in the village of Poroj, the Colorful Mosque and concluded the visit in “Sunny Hill” touristic center.