At the University “Ukshin Hoti” in Prizren, on Friday began the IV International Conference of the Balkan Sociological Forum (BSF) “Balkans – A comparative and integrative approach” and the XV International Interdisciplinary Conference: “Comparative studies in modern society, the Balkans in the European context and global ”, Postponed from November 2020 to March 2021 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The conference will take place on March 19 and 20, 2020, in a combined manner, online and in person. 223 abstracts by 333 authors and co-authors from 23 countries were submitted to the conference.
The host of this conference, the Rector of the University “Ukshin Hoti” in Prizren, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Ismet Temaj, in his introductory speech stressed that holding this conference is important for our university, for the country, for the region but also for science in general. “The topics that will be addressed during this time and the large number of researchers from many countries are indicators of the seriousness of the Conference. So, this proves that the University “Ukshin Hoti”, Prizren as a cultural and historical capital, is turning it into a capital of science, adding how the University is open to similar projects of common interest with all partners of this conference.
In the opening of the proceedings of this conference, a speech was given by the researcher and Ambassador Dr. Sc. Sabri Kiçmari.
He stressed that Ukshin Hoti, from high institutional and scientific environments, is sent to prison by the regime because of his political conviction and his demand for a republic. He added that after his release from prison, the second persecution of a social nature began, being stigmatized in mosques and chambers in villages in the Prizren region. “He discusses this kind of public lynching as a form of pressure not to think differently from the establishment,” said Kicmari, adding that reading Ukshin Hoti we feel his absence in Pristina.
Speaking about his views on foreign policy, Kicmari stressed that Ukshin Hoti was visually correlated with representatives of the realist school in international relations, defining foreign policy as a complex of methods for achieving state interests and expressing the citizenship and sovereignty of the people.
The researcher Prof. also spoke about Ukshin Hoti on this occasion. Dr. Irena Nikaj, who praised the figure of Ukshin Hoti and his contribution in the relevant field.
Prof. Ass. Dr. Shemsi Morina, Vice Rector for Teaching, Student Affairs and Scientific Research, in his speech focused on the mission, vision and history of the University “Ukshin Hoti”. He stressed that the University, although it started working in 2010, in Prizren the tradition of higher education begins much earlier and this University, inherits the experience of the former Higher Pedagogical School, which operates since 1961 and later the Faculty of Education.
Meanwhile, the coordinator of the Conference thanked everyone for the contribution given to the realization of this conference, in particular Rector Temaj, under whose patronage it is organized.
Kseanela SOTIRIFSKI, Rector of the Alexander Moisiu University of Durrës, Prof. Dr. Behxhet Shala Vice Rector of Isa Boletini University of Mitrovica, Kaliopi NASKA, Rector – Albanian University, Irena NIKAJ, President of the Albanian Sociological Association (ALBSA), Ismajl BAFTIJARI, Director of the Institute of Science and Technology (INSI), Deputy Director of Agri SOKOLI Institute for Political and Social Studies (IPSS), SOUTH KOREA, Ali PAJAZITI, President of the Balkan Sociological Forum; South East University, Northern Macedonia, Dhimitri BELLO – Rector, Fan S. Noli University of Korça – Albania, Geron KAMBERI – Executive Director of the Center for School Leadership (CSL), Leke SOKOLI – General Director of the Albanian Institute of Sociology (AIS), Representatives of the Balkan Sociological Forum: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rifat MORINA – Conference Coordinator; University of Prizren Ukshin Hoti, and Besim GOLLOPENI, University of Mitrovica Isa Boletini, Balkan Sociological Forum and conference moderator.
The main people responsible for organizing this conference are: Prof. Leke Sokoli, Prof. Rifat Morina and Prof. Besim Gollopeni. Also, within the conference, the elections of the Balkan Forum of Sociologists took place, where, among others, the President was elected from Kosovo, Prof. Besim Gollopeni, aociologist, vice. President, Prof. Jasminka Laznjak sociologist from Croatia, vice. President Prof. Surgio BALTATESCU sociologist from Romania and other structures.
At the end of the ceremony, the Vice Rector of the University “Ukshin Hoti” in Prizren, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Armend Podvorica, distributed gifts to the guests present.