The President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, has decorated the President and Rector of UBT, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi, with the Gold Medal of Merit, an award given to high-ranking world personalities.
The high decoration was presented to Rector Hajrizi, in a solemn ceremony organized today at the UBT Innovation Park, by the Austrian Ambassador to Kosovo, Mr. Georg Schnetzer.
This decoration was awarded by state decree by the President of Austria, Van der Bellen, on April 23, 2025. It honors the extraordinary contribution of Rector Hajrizi to the development and advancement of the education system in Kosovo, as well as to the strengthening of academic, scientific and cultural relations between Austria and Kosovo.
In his speech, Ambassador Schnetzer praised the long-term impact that Rector Hajrizi has had in the field of education and international cooperation.
"It is a special honor for me today, on behalf of the Republic of Austria, to present this important medal to Professor Edmond Hajrizi. This award, presented by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, represents Austria's recognition for his extraordinary contribution to improving the quality of education in Kosovo and for strengthening lasting ties between our two countries in the fields of science, research and academic exchanges," declared Ambassador Schnetzer.
He added that UBT has become a strong academic bridge between Austria and Kosovo, fostering sustainable partnerships and fruitful collaborations in many fields.
In his thank-you speech, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi described this medal as an extraordinary honor and with special personal significance.
"This medal has an extremely special meaning for me, because it is given to me by the state of Austria, a country that for more than 30 years I have called my second home. At a time when Kosovo was going through difficult times, Austria was the country that opened its doors to us, giving us the opportunity to dream, develop and contribute to the future", emphasized Rector Hajrizi.
He added that the Austrian model of education has been one of the main inspirations in building UBT's academic philosophy:
"Austria is a global leader in innovation, education and development. It has created an extraordinary ecosystem that closely connects academia with industry, offering students the opportunity to apply knowledge in practice. This approach has become an essential part of my work and the model we have built at UBT", said Rector Hajrizi.
Hajrizi, honored for this lifetime award, thanked all of his many collaborators, international and local, who helped in his life's journey and achievements.
He emphasized the support of his family as one of the most important elements of his success and achievements, especially his wife, Fisnete Hajrizi, who was a co-creator and constant supporter of his vision and ideas, from the beginning to the final realization.
In addition to his academic role, Prof. Hajrizi is a visionary entrepreneur who has founded more than 30 companies and innovation labs, as well as the first Science, Innovation and Technology Park in Kosovo. He is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, winner of several international awards and an active participant in initiatives that promote education, scientific research, innovation and sustainable development.
UBT, founded in 2001 by Prof. Hajrizi, started with just 29 students and today has over 10000 students on several campuses. The institution is built on Austrian academic models and standards, with an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented approach. In the first years of its operation, UBT has benefited significantly from the expertise of professors and researchers from the Technical University of Vienna (TU Wien) and other Austrian academic institutions.
Today, the institution continues numerous collaborations with universities, research institutes and centers of excellence in Austria, while UBT's EUROTRIP program enables students to undertake study visits and practical experiences in Austrian institutions.
In addition to the academic dimension, UBT has also significantly contributed to strengthening economic relations between Austria and Kosovo, through cooperation with the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), the Austrian economic development organization WIFI, as well as other partner institutions. The university regularly organizes the traditional activity “Austria Days”, which has served as a platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences and cooperation opportunities.
Also, UBT has been one of the main promoters of the introduction of the Austrian model of dual vocational education in Kosovo, contributing to the reform of the education system in the country.
The medal presentation ceremony ended with a solemn reception, attended by representatives of institutions, professors, students, international collaborators and friends of the institution.
