History of UT

The University of Tetova welcomes and is open to all the students, teachers and collaborators.  It welcomes individuals who possess intellectual and moral qualities, which they can apply in an academic climate of clearly defined institutional autonomy and academic freedom, to contribute to the development of education, science and professional development at the university.

“The university has a short history but a long past”.

It was founded on December 17, 1994 as an initiative of Albanian intellectuals, various non-political affiliations and a wide spectrum of supporters of higher education from inside and outside North Macedonia.

The historical development of the university can be divided into two phases:

1994-2003 The establishment of the university

2004-2010 The institutional development; academic and physical modernization.

From an emerging physical state, the University developed and was transformed into what we can witness today- the New University Building. Thereafter, it has been confirmed as a member of the Conference of European Universities and, as a reformed institution, it is recognized as the only public higher education institution operating in the Albanian language, providing qualifications, specializations and research to all people. The University of Tetova consists of 13 faculties, 65 study programs, 115 departments and 3 research centers and institutions.

Teaching and Research Framework

The Bologna Agreement is implemented in the educational process and the university has initiated reforms in its scientific research program to bring it up to the standards of more developed countries. The results of entering into international collaboration projects such as Erasmus, DAAD, and Tempus, following European standards, has already led to and evident enhancement in academic quality.

With regard to the Bologna Agreement, the University of Tetova is currently entering a new phase of its development, implementing a standard 3+2+3 model, and a structured 4+1+3 (BA, MA, and PhD studies) model with a research focus. Applying the new European study system, UT is fulfilling its goal of improving student professional development and establishing an international harmonization of degrees.

The current academic staff comprises 273 full-time teachers and 355 part-time teachers.

Degrees from University of Tetova are now recognized as being comparable with those obtained from more established European universities; this recognition is confirmed by alumni employed or continuing postgraduate studies at various higher education institutions across the world.

Future Orientation

Looking towards the future, the University’s goal is to locate all faculties on a single campus. Physically, this will include:  first, second and third cycle studies, specializations, visiting professors and other guests, canteen, sports centers, main library, computer center, and various labs.

At an operational level, the future development of the University of Tetova will involve:

• The implementation of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS);

The implementation of ECTS will be achieved through student mobility through which students will broaden their horizon and deepen their knowledge at universities signatories of the Magna Charta Universitatum.

• Incorporation into all European university forums, through which cooperation is increasing;
• Progress of scientific research against academic research, will have a positive impact on the academic achievement;
• Offering online degrees, E-learning, electronic books (including audio-books) will enable broader access and increase the quality of learning and teaching;
• Already secured, Audio-visual tools will further assist in offering distance learning lectures
• Completing and equipping academic and laboratory facilities with modern technology;
• Implementing and carrying out projects at university institutions like Institute of Ecology and Technology, The Institute of Albanian Culture, etc.
• Participating in collaborative European academic and research projects, like TEMPUS, DAAD, USAID, SORROS, NATO, BE, various embassies have, in extension from previous years, become priorities in the strategic plan of the university;
• Dispersing study programs throughout the country, in various cities, in accordance with the high school preparation programs to bring degrees closer to students.

Future Responsibility

While we take pride in the achievements of recent years, we are also accepting responsibility for future actions that need to be taken for us to match the trends of contemporary academic institutions. To achieve this, the management and academic staff of the University of Tetova are taking full responsibility for creating new values, especially in education, science and culture, which are the pillars of the prosperity of new generations.

To sum up, the University of Tetova is already headed towards developing a new effective system of higher education that will lead the university towards achieving the standards of contemporary academic institutions. By appointing and preparing professionals, and by promoting observable and measurable change both within and outside the country, the university will achieve it towards achieving its over-arching mission.

Future goals

The intention of being closer and more accessible to students has already resulted in the availability of study programs throughout the country, and, particularly, within specific cities in the Republic of North Macedonia.

With an increase in student numbers every year, the University of Tetova now has 13,000 students and, importantly in achieving our goals, the number of students from various ethnic groups is increasing. In the past, only a small number of students of non-Albanian background registered with UT. This number has already grown to over one hundred, almost 10% of the overall number of students.

The University of Tetova aims to be a University for all of the citizens of North Macedonia, without any national, religious, or other differences. In pursuit of this aim, it is now open to all students who wish to study here.

The university’s offer for prospective students is economical and inclusive. Numerous study programs with affordable fees are offered.

With an increase of 30% over the past few years, the number of students enrolled is increasing continuously compared to the number of students enrolled at other universities in the country. This is a sign that the UT is developing and heading towards European universities.

The University of Tetova is the one and only Albanian-language state university in North Macedonia. Qualified academic staff, increasing collaboration, cooperation with prestigious universities in the region and internationally and, most importantly, the emotional relationship of Albanians with the UT, their sacrifice and their contribution, have established and brought it to its current position. They now provide the major reasons why one should study at the University of Tetova.

THE MUSEUM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TETOVA

In Poroj, a village outside of Tetovo, there is a museum that documents the sobering history of the founding of the University of Tetovo – back in 1994.

Born out of the determination to found a university teaching in the Albanian language, members of the community came together to form this university in Tetovo. Members of the community wanted to establish a university in Tetovo where students could learn in the Albanian language. Without support from the state, the community came together – with volunteer professors, meeting in makeshift classrooms in peoples’ houses. This effort was met with resistance, however, as you can see in the newspaper articles and exhibits in the museum.  In one of the photos, you can see the villagers coming out on to the streets to protect the students, after about 300 troops were sent to address the situation.

In fact, foundation of the museum of the University of Tetova, is one of the most important moments during the lifetime period of this institution as far as it represents the connect between the past and the future.

Actually, the museum of the University of Tetova is open in the Blackwell History of Education Museum – College of Education in Northern Illinois University, Chicago USA.

http://news.cedu.niu.edu/coe_news/cameras-eye-blackwell-photo-exhibition-to-tell-tale-of-tetova/

Don’t miss the great chance to visit this Museum!

Language Center

Prof. Dr. Isa Spahiu

E-mail: isa.spahiu@unite.edu.mk

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