The President of Austria honors UBT Rector, Dr. Edmond Hajrizi, with the Gold Medal of Merit
10/12/2025The President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, has decorated the President and Rector of UBT, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi, with the Gold Medal of Merit, an award granted to distinguished international personalities.
The high state decoration was presented to Rector Hajrizi today during a solemn ceremony held at the UBT Innovative Park by the Ambassador of Austria to Kosova, Mr. Georg Schnetzer.
This decoration was awarded by state decree from the President of Austria, Van der Bellen, on April 23, 2025. It honors Rector Hajrizi’s outstanding contribution to the development and advancement of the education system in Kosova, as well as to strengthening academic, scientific, and cultural relations between Austria and Kosova.
In his address, Ambassador Schnetzer praised the long-term impact that Rector Hajrizi has had in the fields of education and international cooperation.
“It is a special honor for me today, on behalf of the Republic of Austria, to present this important medal to Professor Edmond Hajrizi. This award, granted by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, represents Austria’s appreciation for his extraordinary contribution to improving the quality of education in Kosova and strengthening sustainable ties between our two countries in science, research, and academic exchanges,” stated Ambassador Schnetzer.
He added that UBT has become a strong academic bridge between Austria and Kosova, fostering sustainable partnerships and fruitful collaborations across many fields.
In his gratitude speech, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi described the medal as an extraordinary honor with deep personal meaning.
“This medal carries exceptionally special significance for me because it is awarded by the state of Austria—a country that for more than 30 years I have considered my second home. At a time when Kosova was undergoing difficult periods, Austria was the country that opened its doors to us, giving us the opportunity to dream, to develop, and to contribute to the future,” emphasized Rector Hajrizi.
He added that the Austrian model of education has been one of the main inspirations in building UBT’s academic philosophy:
“Austria is a global leader in innovation, education, and development. It has created an extraordinary ecosystem that closely connects academia with industry, offering students the opportunity to apply knowledge in practice. This approach has become an essential part of my work and the model we have built at UBT,” said Rector Hajrizi.
Honored by this lifetime achievement award, Hajrizi thanked the many local and international collaborators who supported his journey and accomplishments.
He emphasized the support of his family as one of the most important elements of his success, especially his wife, Fisnete Hajrizi, who was a co-creator and continuous supporter of his vision and ideas from the beginning to their full realization.
In addition to his academic role, Prof. Hajrizi is a visionary entrepreneur who has founded more than 30 companies and innovation laboratories, as well as the first Science, Innovation and Technology Park in Kosova. He is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, the winner of several international awards, and an active participant in initiatives promoting education, scientific research, innovation, and sustainable development.
UBT, founded in 2001 by Prof. Hajrizi, began with only 29 students and today has over 10,000 students across multiple campuses. The institution has been built on Austrian academic models and standards, with an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented approach. In its early years, UBT benefited significantly from the expertise of professors and researchers from the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) and other Austrian academic institutions.
Today, the institution continues extensive cooperation with universities, research institutes, and centers of excellence in Austria, while UBT’s EUROTRIP program enables students to engage in study visits and practical experiences at Austrian institutions.
Beyond the academic dimension, UBT has also contributed significantly to strengthening economic relations between Austria and Kosova through collaborations with the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), the Austrian economic development organization WIFI, and other partner institutions. The university regularly organizes the traditional event “Days of Austria,” which serves as a platform for exchanging ideas, experiences, and collaboration opportunities.
Furthermore, UBT has been one of the main promoters of introducing the Austrian dual vocational education model in Kosova, contributing to the reform of the national education system.
The medal awarding ceremony concluded with a solemn reception attended by institutional representatives, professors, students, international partners, and friends of the institution.
