Prishtina, 8 September 2025
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, attended the graduation ceremony of 150 students of the Public University “Kadri Zeka” in Gjilan.
Calling this a special day, Prime Minister Kurti said it is an unforgettable moment for all of you—a day that marks the crowning of your commitment and dedication throughout these years of study. He emphasized that since its establishment, the Public University “Kadri Zeka” has become a center of knowledge for thousands of young men and women, not only from Gjilan and Anamorava but also from the Presheva Valley and all the way to Kumanova. This institution, he added, continues the city’s university tradition dating back to 1958, preparing generations of teachers, researchers, and professionals in various fields, who have left their mark and continue to contribute to our country.
Today, the “Kadri Zeka” University is a consolidated institution, with six faculties and 15 study programs—eight at the Bachelor level and seven at the Master’s level. Its five-year reaccreditation last year demonstrates its high academic standards, the dedication of its staff, and its role as a hub of knowledge and innovation in the region, Prime Minister Kurti said.
Further in his remarks, Prime Minister Kurti stated that education is an unconditional right, and that the Government of the Republic has stood by students throughout their academic journey. He recalled that public higher education has been free since the first year of his mandate. In just the last two years, the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation has awarded over 1,200 scholarships to students of the University of Gjilan, while also increasing the budget for scientific research. “We are investing in programs closely linked to the labor market, innovation, and technology—because we want our students not only to graduate, but also to be employed; not only to be employed, but also successful; and not only to be successful, but also contributors to the development of our country,” he said.
“Never stop reading and studying, never stop your curiosity for knowledge and your passion for learning. The diploma you receive today is only the closing of one chapter, and by no means the end of the book—which is life itself. With this final message, I extend my best wishes to all of you, to your families, as well as to your professors, those present here with us and those who are not but were with you in this important journey. Let this be the beginning of a long road of success, pride, and hope for each and every one of you, and for the future of our country!” concluded the Prime Minister.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Rector of the University “Kadri Zeka,” Professor Artan Dermaku,
Honorable Ms. Arbërie Nagavci, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
Honorable Mr. Alban Hyseni, Mayor of Gjilan,
Distinguished pro-rectors and professors,
Honorable Members of the Assembly of the Republic, Arjeta Rexhepi, Arjeta Fejza, and Labinotë Murtezi,
Dear graduating students, parents and families,
Friends and citizens of Gjilan,
It is both a pleasure and an honor to be among you on this solemn and unforgettable day for you all—the day of graduation, the day that crowns your dedication and commitment during these years of study.
Since its establishment, the Public University “Kadri Zeka” has become a cradle of knowledge for thousands of young men and women, not only from Gjilan and Anamorava but also from the Presheva Valley and Kumanovo. This institution continues the academic tradition of this city since 1958, preparing generations of teachers, researchers, and professionals from different fields who have left their mark and continue to contribute to our country.
Today, the University “Kadri Zeka” is a consolidated institution, with six faculties and 15 study programs—eight at Bachelor level and seven at Master’s level. Its five-year reaccreditation last year proves its high academic standards, the dedication of its staff, and its role as a center of knowledge and innovation in the region.
Education is an unconditional right, and we as the Government of the Republic have stood by you in your academic journey. We have made public higher education free since the first year of our mandate, and the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, in the past two years alone, has awarded over 1,200 scholarships to students of the University of Gjilan, increased the budget for scientific research, and supported the advancement of performance in higher education in many dimensions. We are investing in programs closely tied to the labor market, innovation, and technology. Because we want our students not only to graduate but also to be employed; not only to be employed, but also to be successful; and not only to be successful, but also to contribute to the development of our country. And here we are today, marking the closing of an important chapter of life for 150 graduates, while opening a new window towards their future and ours in general.
Tomorrow will certainly not be without challenges, but it will also bring many opportunities, and I have no doubt that you, today’s graduates, are better prepared than ever to face these challenges and to raise the development of our state to new levels.
While we celebrate your successes together, we also recognize the work of professors and academic staff who have guided you with dedication throughout this journey, as well as the unconditional support of your parents and families.
Dear graduates,
Today you become bearers of knowledge and responsibility. Graduation is not only a personal success; it is also a promise to society. You are called to become teachers who shape generations, lawyers who defend the law, economists who develop production and markets, scientists who bring innovation, and citizens who build a more just, more developed, and more democratic society.
Today we celebrate not only the graduation of 150 students, but also the power of knowledge and skills to change lives and to build our beloved Kosovo at new levels of progress.
A diploma is only a beginning. Its value lies in what you will do next—in how you will apply it, in the impact you will have in your communities, in your fields of work, and in the mark you will leave in our country for our people.
Never stop reading and studying, never stop your curiosity for knowledge and passion for learning. The diploma you receive today is merely the end of one chapter, but by no means the end of the book, which is life itself. With this final message, I extend my congratulations to you all, to your families, and also to your professors—those here with us and those not present but who were with you on this important journey—by saying: let this be the beginning of a long path of success, pride, and hope for each of you and for the future of our country!
Thank you for this invitation, for your attention, and I wish you success in every step of your life!
