UBT Hosts International Forum Marking the 250th Anniversary of the United States, Honors American Leaders for Their Contribution to Kosovo and the Transatlantic Partnership

29/06/2026

UBT’s Science, Innovation and Technology Park hosted the international forum “From Liberation to Leadership: Educating the Next Generation through the Kosovo–U.S. Partnership,” organized as part of the “America Inspires Freedom – The Kosovo Story” project, an official international initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

As the Lead Academic Partner of this historic initiative in Kosovo, UBT brought together diplomats, academics, American experts, institutional representatives, professors, and students to discuss the strategic Kosovo–U.S. partnership, the role of education in cultivating democratic leadership, and the importance of academic cooperation in strengthening the values of freedom and democracy.

A highlight of the forum was the presentation of institutional honors to distinguished American and Albanian-American figures who have made outstanding contributions over several decades to peacebuilding, democracy, institutional development, and support for Kosovo on the international stage.

UBT conferred the institutional distinction “Honorary Degree – Excellence in Leadership” upon American scholar Professor Daniel Serwer, in recognition of his exceptional academic, diplomatic, and public service contributions to peacebuilding, democratic development, and his unwavering support for Kosovo and the Western Balkans.

UBT also presented Certificates of Recognition to Professor Edward P. Joseph, Ms. Besa Tafilaj Pinchotti, and Sgt. Maj. Mario Marquez for their dedication to promoting democratic values, strengthening the transatlantic partnership, advancing public service, and fostering the enduring friendship between Kosovo and the United States.

Opening the forum, Dr. Faton Bislimi, Director of the America Inspires Freedom – The Kosovo Story project, expressed his appreciation to UBT for its partnership and outstanding organization of the event, acknowledging the commitment of the university’s academic and organizational staff in delivering an event of international significance. As a token of appreciation, he presented UBT Rector Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi with an official America250 commemorative coin brought from Washington, D.C.

“This is the official America250 commemorative coin that we brought from Washington. I am presenting it to you as a small token of appreciation for everything you have done and for what this university has accomplished today,” said Bislimi.

UBT Founder and Rector Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi emphasized that the 250th anniversary of the United States represents a celebration of the ideals that have shaped modern democracies and inspired both Kosovo’s journey and UBT’s development.

“250 years of America, 25 years of UBT—two different journeys, yet both built upon the same conviction: that freedom creates opportunity, education drives progress, and innovation shapes the future,” Hajrizi stated.

He also praised the unwavering support provided by successive U.S. administrations throughout the years, regardless of political affiliation.

“President Bill Clinton, Secretary Madeleine Albright, and General Wesley Clark became part of Kosovo’s history forever. President George W. Bush strongly supported Kosovo’s independence, while President Barack Obama continued supporting our democratic institutions, as did President Donald Trump and the administrations that followed. Administrations change, political parties change, yet one thing remains constant: the unwavering friendship between Kosovo and the United States,” Rector Hajrizi concluded.

American scholar Professor Daniel Serwer reflected on Kosovo’s remarkable transformation over the past decades, recalling his first visit to the country in 1998 and the progress achieved since then.

“Some say nothing has changed, but my answer is: everything has changed,” Serwer remarked, highlighting Kosovo’s institutional progress and the development of its education system.

Professor Edward P. Joseph, who has long followed developments in the Western Balkans, shared personal memories from 1999, when he served as manager of the Kosovo refugee camp at Fort Dix in the United States. Displaying a photograph from that period, he reflected on Kosovo’s extraordinary transformation since the war.

“This photograph was taken in 1999. These are Kosovar refugees. It was taken at Fort Dix, where I served as the manager of that refugee camp. It was an extraordinarily intense and difficult period for the children and their parents, many of whom still had relatives here in Kosovo. Someone like me has a very deep appreciation and understanding of everything Kosovo has gone through,” Joseph said.

He further stressed that NATO’s role was decisive not only in securing Kosovo’s freedom but also remains essential for the long-term stability of the Western Balkans. At the same time, he noted that Kosovo’s path toward membership in major international organizations continues to face political and diplomatic obstacles.

Ms. Besa Tafilaj Pinchotti, Executive Director of the National Military Family Association (NMFA), spoke about how her childhood experiences connected to Kosovo and witnessing the war from afar inspired her commitment to serving military families in the United States. She emphasized the important role of academia in strengthening bilateral relations.

“I cannot think of a better place to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary than Kosovo, because I don’t know anyone who loves America more than its people. The best people to solve problems are those closest to them. That is why it is so important to be in this academic environment with such brilliant minds, because you are the people who will carry this relationship forward,” Tafilaj Pinchotti said.

Mario Marquez, Executive Director for Government Affairs at The American Legion, the largest veterans’ organization in the United States, recalled his service in Kosovo in 2002 as part of the U.S. military mission. He reflected on working alongside local communities to rebuild rural water infrastructure, describing the resilience of the people of Kosovo as a lasting source of inspiration.

“Kosovo’s legacy has lived within me ever since 2002, the last time I was here. What our unit accomplished together with those villagers defines a true partnership, where technical capability met the unstoppable human will. We didn’t simply bring running water to them for the first time—we built a lifeline together,” Marquez stated.

In closing, participants reaffirmed that the partnership between Kosovo and the United States remains one of the cornerstones of Kosovo’s democratic development, while education and academic cooperation will continue to serve as vital bridges strengthening this alliance for generations to come.

By hosting this international forum, UBT once again reaffirmed its role as a leader in higher education, innovation, and international collaboration, providing an important platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the promotion of the shared democratic values that unite Kosovo and the United States of America.