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New university project unveiled in Tetovo, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
THE HAGUE 12 February 2001
THE HAGUE, 12 February 2001 - On 11 February an official ceremony took place in Tetovo to mark the beginning of construction on a new private institution of higher education in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Curriculum at the so-called "South East Europe" University will be in Albanian. Courses will also be offered in Macedonian and other European languages. The University will include faculties of law, business administration, public administration, communication and computer studies, and teacher training. It should be ready to open its doors on 1 October 2001.
The creation of the University has been a contentious issue in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The country's significant Albanian minority has long called for the creation of an institution of higher education which could offer curriculum in Albanian. The legal framework for the establishment of such an institution became possible with the adoption of a new Law on Education on 25 July 2000. It allows for the use of the Albanian language and other languages in private institutions of higher education.
The unveiling ceremony on 11 February was attended by members of the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (including the Foreign Minister and Minister of Education), representatives of the country's Albanian community, the mayor of Tetovo, members of the national and international boards of the institution, and representatives of the diplomatic corps. The ceremony was addressed by the Prime Minister, Ljubco Georgievski, the Chairman of the national board of the University, Zamir Dika, the future director of the University, Alajdin Abazi, and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (and Chairman of the International Board of the University), Max van der Stoel.
Mr. Van der Stoel, has concentrated on this project as a means of improving inter-ethnic relations in Macedonia. Together with international experts, he offered advice on the compatibility of the Law on Education with international standards. Under his guidance, a business plan was developed for the University. In November 2000 an International Foundation was created, under his auspices, to plan and oversee the creation of the University. Funding for the University is being provided by international donors including individual OSCE States and the European Union.
For more information contact Mr. Walter Kemp, tel (3170) 312 55 06, fax (3170) 363 59 10, email [email protected]
The creation of the University has been a contentious issue in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The country's significant Albanian minority has long called for the creation of an institution of higher education which could offer curriculum in Albanian. The legal framework for the establishment of such an institution became possible with the adoption of a new Law on Education on 25 July 2000. It allows for the use of the Albanian language and other languages in private institutions of higher education.
The unveiling ceremony on 11 February was attended by members of the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (including the Foreign Minister and Minister of Education), representatives of the country's Albanian community, the mayor of Tetovo, members of the national and international boards of the institution, and representatives of the diplomatic corps. The ceremony was addressed by the Prime Minister, Ljubco Georgievski, the Chairman of the national board of the University, Zamir Dika, the future director of the University, Alajdin Abazi, and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (and Chairman of the International Board of the University), Max van der Stoel.
Mr. Van der Stoel, has concentrated on this project as a means of improving inter-ethnic relations in Macedonia. Together with international experts, he offered advice on the compatibility of the Law on Education with international standards. Under his guidance, a business plan was developed for the University. In November 2000 an International Foundation was created, under his auspices, to plan and oversee the creation of the University. Funding for the University is being provided by international donors including individual OSCE States and the European Union.
For more information contact Mr. Walter Kemp, tel (3170) 312 55 06, fax (3170) 363 59 10, email [email protected]