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“While I very much appreciate this recognition, more importantly, this is a celebration of this University and its spirit of academic excellence and international collaboration. What binds us is our desire to understand what it means to be human, to seek the truth and to have the courage to express the truth even when it may not be popular or is challenged by voices that may be louder than our own,” said the laureate of the Doctorate Honoris Causa of the University, Prof. Jan De Groof.
The Rector of South East European University, Prof. Dr. Zamir Dika, said that the University breathes due to the inexhaustible energy and spirit of those people who comprise it, of those who study here, and also of those who contribute to academic partnership and cooperation.
“The journey 4.0 is on the horizon. Nowadays the project 4.0 is already being implemented for industry or in projects for ‘smart factories,’ based on the technological trends of automation and data exchange. If our aspiration is to keep our young people here and create functional systems, we should establish similar standards of life such as Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and elsewhere. There is no time to wait anymore! We, as South East European University, are ready to give our contribution. We are working every day for personalization of pedagogies for our students by placing digitization as a priority to increase student engagement and knowledge capacity. We plan to increase study programmes in English and the number of other programmes in collaboration with international partner universities, in order to maintain our competitiveness in the global knowledge market,” he said.
“Today people sometimes forget, or may be too young to remember, the huge financial contribution of the people of the United States and Western Europe to your country to found this University, based on our principles. I think the day we received a fax from the President of the United States approving another ten million dollar donation probably ranks as one of our most memorable. President George W Bush, his country and our other donors had faith in us and it is as much their University as it is yours. Please do not forget that in the months and years ahead,” urged the President of the SEEU Board, Prof. Dr. Dennis Farrington.
“Our University is accepted as a key player in higher education in Macedonia and the region. Our original mission has developed in some aspects but we remain committed to the principles laid down by our Founders. One key to our success has been the absence of politics in our governance and management,” said Dr. Farrington.
On this occasion also Prof. Dr. Murtezan Ismaili was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus for his contribution to the University.
In keeping with institutional tradition, on the occasion the Anniversary of the University,employees who have reached 10 years regular employment in SEEU were given wrist watches, a certificate for their contribution to this institution, and recognition in a public ceremony.
For the artistic part of the ceremony the Polyphonic Band from Elbasan, Albania, and the Choir of the University of Tetova with conductor Prof. Dr. Arifikmet Xhemaili were engaged, as was a well-known quartet from Skopje.