At the Second Rectors’ Forum of the Western Balkans that was held at the University of Zagreb on November 3, 2018, Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, together with 22 other rectors, signed a declaration for the foundation of the association of these universities. This declaration was signed in accordance with the conclusions of the First Rectors’ Forum of the Western Balkans, which was held at the University of Novi Sad on September 24 and 25, 2018. According to the participants of this forum, the Association aims to strengthen intercollegiate cooperation as well as realization of joint activities in science, higher education, research and transfer of new knowledge.
Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, in front of its counterparts, said that the University of Tetova, as one of the five public universities in the Republic of Macedonia, is continuously engaged in the advancement of the educational and scientific processes, but as well in other areas of importance for the society in the Republic of Macedonia and beyond. According to him, an important and permanent part of the agenda of the University of Tetova is the cooperation and strengthening of partnership with universities from the country, region and international arena, adding that in function of this goal, the University of Tetova fully supports the formation of this intercollegiate association.
University of Tetova as an institution of higher education in Macedonia is oriented towards European and Western values and is involved in many international associations. Based on this, the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, in the proceedings of the forum, asked the rectors of the Association of South East European Universities and the Western Balkan Universities to include some proposals made by the University of Tetova in the declaration and in its platform, such as: Mobility of students and Balkan academic staff; Foundation of joint scientific journal; Preparation of joint study program for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd cycle studies; Foundation of joint institute that will study the cultures, languages, histories of the Balkan people; Organization of annual joint conference; Preparation of dual programs; Connecting into the joint programs with a view to facilitating access to European Union funds; Organizing student summer school; Organizing of annual sports tournament; Preparation and adoption of the rules of the forum; Appointing the forum leadership; Determining the conditions and duration, etc.
Based on the signed declaration, the Association will continue to develop a regional platform for cooperation in scientific research, special attention will be paid to the improvement of higher education quality in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans. It will create conditions for joint capacity-building in the field of science, higher education and transfer of knowledge. It will actively engage for the benefit of common interests of European Union institutions in order to encourage the mobility of teachers, associates, scientists, researchers and students. It will also ask from EU institutions to allocate funds for South East European Universities and the Western Balkan Universities as much as possible, which funds should not be less than 1% of gross national income. The next 3rd forum Forum of the Association of South East European Universities and the Western Balkan Universities will be held at the University of Mostar, in January-February, 2019.
After the completion of the Rectors’ Forum, the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, with the invitation of the Rector of the University of Zagreb, Prof. Dr. Sc. Damir Buras, attended the celebration of the 350th anniversary of this University.
