Leadership Conference held at UBT – Focus on women’s leadership and minority integration
20/07/2024At the UBT Science, Technology and Innovation Park in Lipjan, the Leadership Conference was held under the central theme: “Breaking Barriers: Women’s Leadership and Minority Integration.” The conference brought together distinguished figures from academia and politics to discuss the importance of leadership and the integration of minority communities.
Among the participants were UBT Rector, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi; former President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga; Deputy Prime Minister, Emilija Rexhepi; Harvard University Professor, Dr. Ronald Heifetz; Professor Faton Limani, and many others.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi emphasized the importance of empowering women through quality education and economic independence.
“UBT has continuously aimed to strengthen the role of women by providing quality education and promoting their economic empowerment. As an institution, we have always prioritized women’s engagement, and as a result of this commitment, UBT today proudly stands as the institution with the highest number of employed women in the region — all serving in leadership positions,” said Rector Hajrizi.
Former President Atifete Jahjaga stated:
“It is always a pleasure to share this long-standing experience with the people of my country and with the wonderful youth of Kosovo. The future must be shared and inclusive. In the Kosovo of all, there is room for everyone — and that is our vision for the future.”
She highlighted the importance of cooperation and inclusion of all groups in building a more equal and just society.
Dr. Ronald Heifetz of Harvard University noted that leadership is essential for social and economic progress. He emphasized that leaders must lead with empathy and include diverse voices in decision-making processes. Only through such inclusivity, he said, can societies foster innovation and sustainable development.
The conference featured two discussion panels.
The first panel, moderated by Merita Limani, included remarks from Deputy Prime Minister Emilija Rexhepi, who discussed the importance of institutional representation for women and minorities. Rexhepi emphasized that equal representation in state institutions and decision-making bodies is a crucial step toward equality and social justice. She shared her personal experiences and challenges in representing minorities and advancing women’s roles in public policy.
The second panel, moderated by Dr. Adelina Emini, focused on the theme “Inclusive Leadership – Challenges and Opportunities.”
Sakibe Jashari, one of the main speakers, discussed the challenges women face in leadership roles and strategies to overcome them. Dr. Valentina Dedi highlighted the importance of creating equal opportunities and providing support for women and minorities to achieve success in their careers.
Additionally, an interactive session on leadership development for women and minority groups was led by Faton Limani and Shqipe Vela, focusing on skill development and diversity training. The session offered participants a unique opportunity to strengthen their leadership abilities and learn new techniques for promoting diversity and inclusion in their workplaces.
The conference reaffirmed UBT’s ongoing commitment to advancing inclusive leadership, gender equality, and the integration of minority communities as essential pillars for sustainable social and institutional development.