The ceremony of the conferment of the title Doctor Honoris Causa, celebration of the 9th anniversary of the University and promotion of the last generation of PhDs at SEEU was held

At the South East European University-Tetovo, Friday (November 19th 2010), under intonation of the academic anthem “Gaudeamus Igidur” by the choir and accompanied by the violin duo, Alberta Doku and Shkëlzen Pajaziti, commenced the ceremony for conferring the title Doctor Honoris Causa to the founding Rector of SEEU, Academician Alajdin Abazi, for his contribution given on developing this higher education institution in Macedonia. At the same ceremony the 9th anniversary of SEEU and promotion of the last generation of PhDs at SEEU for the academic year 2009/2010 was celebrated.
The Rector of SEEU, Prof. Dr. Zamir Dika, said November is the busiest month with important dates. He said today we mark: the anniversary of our University, conferring the title Doctor Honoris Causa, promotion of the last generation of PhDs at SEEU for academic year 209/’10 and the Day of the Albanian Alphabet.
 “Perhaps, it is coincidence, but the anniversary our university meets the Congress of Manastir (the Day of Albanian Alphabet). Our University mission clearly states the commitment to promote Albanian language in higher education, along with efforts to achieve excellence in teaching and research, creating equal opportunities in open environment and an international perspective within a multi-lingual and multi-cultural community,” said Rector Dika. Speaking about the development of University, on the 9th anniversary of its existence Prof. Dr. Zamir Dika, said today is the ninth anniversary of the SEEU- a higher education institution with over 7000 students in three cycles of studies and over 5000 graduates. Our university disposes with a complete academic staff from the country and the region.
 “Today, in this room, representatives of founding countries of this university are present, through the representatives of EU states and USA, but also representatives of the regional community. This way of foundation enables us to accomplish our mission by insisting on the creation of skilled staff that are valued by employers, society and are competitive in global market” said among others the SEEU rector, Prof. Dr. Zamir Dika.
The President of the University Board, Dr. Dennis Farrington, speaking about the honorary candidate Academician Alajdin Abazi, said that in our honorary graduate we find a man who has fought to preserve these key principles throughout his professional life. Most of you in this audience are better qualified than me to comment on the history of higher education in the Albanian language in the former Yugoslavia.
“He shares with me, and everyone associated with the foundation of this University, a firm belief that a non-political, multi-cultural and multi-lingual approach to higher education in a carefully planned and quality environment is the only way forward for Macedonia’s new generation, even if this is not backed up by anything more than rhetoric by those in state authority,” said Dr. Dennis Farrington.
Academician Alajdin Abazi, after thanking the academic staff of SEEU for the title, spoke about new challenges in education in the 21st century.
“Students that are studying today or those who have studied from 2000 will live the largest portion of their lives in the 21st century. They will face the challenges of a time that differs much from those of the society in the 20th century that shaped the lives of their teaching staff. The question is: to what level will universities be able, as they are prepared now, to educate citizens that will serve the future society of the 21st century, that will radically differ even though these institutions are known in history as the most stable institutions of civilization, more capable and with the capacity to change and adapt in order to be in service of society more adequately”, said among others in his address speech, Rector Emeritus, Academician Alajdin Abazi.
The Provost and Vice-Rector for academic issues, Prof. Dr. Paul Foster, in his address to PhD graduates, said that we are the carriers of an academic tradition stretching back to the earliest history of the transmission of knowledge. We must always strive to teach our students as we were taught by our professors.
 “One is not awarded a Ph.D. – you have to earn it! It takes years of preparation both through coursework and then later, research in dusty libraries, fieldwork in remote locations, far from the comforts of home and our loved ones. We sacrificed much to achieve our goals”, said among others the Provost Paul Foster.
Within this ceremony the sign in the big lecture hall of the University was unveiled, which from henceforth will bear the name of the founding Rector of the University, Alajdin Abazi.