President Begaj’s Speech On The Occasion Of Receiving The “Doctor Honoris Causa” Title From Kadri Zeka Public University

President Begaj’s Speech on the Occasion of Receiving the “Doctor Honoris Causa” Title from Kadri Zeka Public University

Firstly, I want to share with you all the emotions of these past two days in Gjilan. It is an unexpected honor to be recognized by the city and by the university. In fact, both personify so much. Over these two days, being named “Honorary Citizen” of Gjilan and receiving the “Honoris Causa” title from Kadri Zeka Public University, I cannot hide my emotions.

From today, my connection with the city and the university is greatly deepened. But even greater is my bond with Kosovo, and this bond will exist always and everywhere, under any circumstance, in any situation. I will be one of the best advocates to fulfill the duty that falls to me, not only as President of the Republic of Albania but also as a citizen of our Albanian nation.

Receiving this title, “Honoris Causa”, from Kadri Zeka Public University, holds profound significance. It bears the name of a distinguished son of these lands, a great warrior and patriot for the national cause. I believe his name illuminates the path of the university, the path of generations and generations that have studied here and those students who are currently studying, whom I see there at the back.

It is an extraordinary honor for me to receive this title today from Kadri Zeka Public University, a place that is more than just an educational space. This university is an institution where generations are shaped and ideas come to life.

Therefore, this recognition is not just a personal honor for me but also a significant responsibility to support what this university represents and every other Albanian institution of higher education.

Gjilan is the city where, through the Higher Pedagogical School since 1958, generations of teachers have been trained. Knowledge and education have always been the compass for nations that want to progress.

For us Albanians, education is not just a right but a historical necessity. If we want to build a sustainable future, a progressive future, and a future worthy of the generations to come, there is no other way, no other route but through knowledge, through quality education.

Artificial intelligence, automation, data science, and advanced technologies are redefining the economy, industry, and the very nature of work and lifestyles.

In such a world, countries and societies that do not adapt quickly to these changes will fall behind. Those that do not invest in education will find themselves in an insurmountable gap between backwardness and development.

Today, technology is not just a tool but a filter for the division of nations: those that will lead and those that will follow.

Albania and Kosovo cannot just be followers. We cannot be passive consumers of knowledge and technology produced elsewhere. We must be active contributors, but for this, we need a prepared, educated, and capable youth. We need a generation that not only uses technology in daily activities but develops and creates its future through it.

And this challenge cannot be overcome simply by investing in more equipment, more infrastructure, or more personal computers. We must invest much more in bright minds, in a strong, competitive, and attractive education system to meet the market and societal needs.

The history of the Albanians shows that in every era, those who were successful achieved it only through knowledge, work, and passion.

If today we have successful Albanians in medicine, sciences, art, technology, diplomacy, or academia, they succeeded because they invested in themselves, in knowledge, in values.

Every generation of Albanians that has moved forward has done so through education and learning, not through fate or favorable circumstances.

And this should be our greatest lesson for the future. We have potential. We have bright minds.

What we need to do is create an environment where knowledge and skills turn into action, into real impact for our society.

A nation with an educated youth is a nation that cannot be stopped. A nation that invests in its youth is a nation that confidently marches towards success and achievements.

Today, our youth must acquire not only technical knowledge but also be educated with the best values.

We must raise a generation that is knowledgeable, moral, and professionally capable, with a sense of belonging, responsibility, and national interest.

Albanians are an important factor in the region. We must have a clear vision, quality education, a strong sense of identity and national mission, as well as values and Euro-Atlantic belonging.

Therefore, it is not enough to just have more universities, more diplomas, or more study programs. We need more, more capable people.

We need more scientists, more entrepreneurs, more thinkers, and more responsible leaders who think about the next generation.

This is the biggest challenge our universities face today: to produce knowledgeable people who have integrity.

Education is not and should not be just a choice; it is our destiny. Let us be a nation that chooses knowledge as the only path to success.

Our rich historical heritage should serve us to build the future, to work together for a more educated, stronger, and fairer society for all Albanians.

This title awarded to me today by Kadri Zeka University is an honor for me, but more than that, it is a potent reminder of the responsibility for education and for the young generations that follow us.

I reiterate the emotions and honor I have experienced these two days in Gjilan, which will always remain in my memory, not just as a beautiful memory but also as a great responsibility.