UBT marked the 17th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence, honors former President Fatmir Sejdiu and Italian philanthropist Salvatore Tafuro with the highest institutional prize
14/02/2025In a solemn ceremony, UBT marked the 17th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence, a day of particular importance to the Albanian nation and the history of the country. On this occasion, the UBT Academic Council awarded the highest institutional award Honorary Degree “Excellence in Leadership”: For two personalities with tremendous contribution to peace, security and development: Former President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu, and new President and founder Group and Hospital with Borders, Salvatore Tafuro.
This important event was attended by UBT Rector, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi, Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Antonelo De Riu, representatives of local and international institutions, professors, students and numerous guests.
Rector Hajrizi, emphasized the importance of evaluating the personalities who have made a tremendous contribution to the future of Kosovo.
“On this remarkable day, UBT has the honor of evaluating two personalities who have made a special contribution to peace, security and development: former President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu, and Salvatore Tafuro, President and founder Group and “Hospitals with Borders”. With vision in the most important moments of our history and strengthening the country’s international position. To provide health and humanitarian aid in the crisis areas.
Following, Rector Hajrizi emphasized the importance of educating and forming younger generations as a guarantee for the future of the country.
“We all have a great responsibility to educate a new generation of future professionals, spiritually rich people and worthy citizens of Kosovo. Only through knowledge, innovation and dedication will we manage to make Kosovo a better place and a dear homeland,” he said.
In his address, former President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu, expressed deeply honored by this assessment and reflected on the journey of the state of Kosovo:
“I feel affected, positively, and honored by this award, especially on this anniversary of Kosovo’s independence. Today, we remember our difficult past and look at the future with vision and hope. Our history is divided into two important eras: the pre -independence period, filled with sacrifices and efforts to secure our freedom, and the period after our declaration of independence. Ibrahim Rugova and the legendary commander Adem Jashari, who constitute an unbreakable binomial in our history. Sejdiu.
Salvatore Tafuro, a prominent personality in the field of philanthropy and humanitarian aid, expressed his gratitude for this assessment and conveyed a strong message to young Kosovars.
“It is a special honor for me to have been appreciated by UBT, an institution that embodies Kosovo’s knowledge and progress. During the difficult years of war, Kosovo showed that it is a small people, but with a big heart, with a great desire to become a developed and powerful state. I want to convey a special message to young people and academics: Combining knowledge, work and humanity, we can create a better future for ourselves and for our society, ”Tafuro said.
In his speech, the Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Antonelo De Riu, praised this UBT initiative as an important act to honor the personalities that have made valuable contributions to various fields.
Through this ceremony, UBT once again proved its commitment to the values of freedom, knowledge and humanity, honoring figures who have left indelible traces in the history and development of Kosovo.
UBT will continue its mission to form new leaders and build cooperation bridges, remaining one of the most important academic and development institutions in Kosovo and beyond.