It is with great pleasure and honor that I welcome you to the inauguration ceremony of the National Research School in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Today is a remarkable day for our university and our country, and I am proud to stand before you as the rector of the University of Prishtina.

Our university has played a crucial role in making this school possible, and we are thrilled to host and coordinate it for the next two years. 

We are deeply grateful to our esteemed partners in this project, who have brought their expertise and experience from different countries and regions. I want to acknowledge and thank them for their collaboration and support: Linnaeus University; Norwegian University of Science and Technology; South-East European Research Centre; University of Prizren “Ukshin Hoti”; and UBT College.

We are also honored by the presence of our distinguished guests from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MEST), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, and the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA). 

These institutions have provided guidance for this school, which will offer and support high-quality doctoral education in ICT for students from Kosovo and beyond.

As the rector of the University of Prishtina, I am committed to excellence and internationalization in our academic programs and research activities. We have faced many challenges and difficulties in our history, but we have never given up on our aspiration to be recognized as a leading world-class institution of higher learning in Kosovo and the wider region.

Based on data from several credible international institutions, we are the highest-ranked university among Albanian-speaking universities in the region. Our alumni have made significant contributions to various sectors of our society, from politics and governance to engineering and ICT. They are our ambassadors and role models for future generations.

Research is at the heart of my vision as a rector, and internationalization is the key to achieving high-quality and competitive research outcomes. ICT is one of the areas where our university and our country have shown great potential and innovation. Our alumni in ICT have succeeded in various fields, from software development to artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to e-governance. They have also been involved in international projects, collaborations, and publications.

The National Research School in ICT is a unique opportunity for our university to enhance further its research capacity and quality in this strategic domain. It will provide doctoral students with access to state-of-the-art facilities, supervision, and training. It will also foster interdisciplinary cooperation, networking, and exchange among researchers, academics, and practitioners from different institutions, countries, and regions.

This school is part of our broader efforts to improve our educational offer and align it with international standards and market demands. We are currently working on accrediting a joint doctoral degree program with the University of Ljubljana in education sciences, which will enable our students to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in this vital field. We are also remodeling our curricula to make them more relevant, flexible, and responsive to the constantly changing needs of society. We want to connect knowledge with skills, theory with practice, and disciplines with each other.

We want to encourage innovation and discovery among our students and staff. We want them to pursue their passions and interests, explore new horizons, to challenge themselves. We want them to be inspired by examples like Professor HalilIbrahimi from our Biology Department, who recently made a breakthrough discovery about insect clouds that has attracted international attention and has significant implications for environmental protection. But we also want them to enjoy their time at our university. 

We want them to have fun learning new things, meeting new people, and participating in extracurricular activities that enrich their personal growth, social life, cultural awareness, and civic engagement. We want them to feel proud of being part of our university community, which is diverse, inclusive, and supportive.

I want to congratulate all those who have worked hard to make this school a reality. I believe that this new National Research School in ICT is a testament to our university’s commitment to excellence and internationalization. It also demonstrates the power of cooperation and partnership among institutions, organizations, and individuals who share a common vision and goal. 

I hope that this school will serve as a catalyst for further innovation, collaboration, and impact in the field of ICT, both in Kosovo and beyond. I encourage our doctoral students or prospective doctoral students to embrace this opportunity with enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication. I am confident that they will contribute to shaping the future of ICT research and practice and make a positive difference in their communities and the world. 

I also want to thank our distinguished guests, partners, and supporters for their presence and contributions to this ceremony. Your presence and involvement clearly indicate your interest and commitment to promoting education, science, and technology in Kosovo and the region. 

Finally, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to our faculty, staff, students, and alumni who have worked tirelessly to make the University of Prishtina a respected and dynamic institution of higher education. Your dedication, creativity, and passion drive our success, and I am honored to be part of, and lead, this vibrant community. 

Thank you once again, and I wish you all a fruitful and inspiring academic year.