Skopje, December 12, 2024 – Mother Teresa University in Skopje successfully completed the 8. edition of the International Conference on Migration, an important platform for addressing global migration issues. The activity was developed in cooperation with prestigious universities and institutions from Macedonia and abroad, such as the University of Sassari, Italy; International Burch University, Sarajevo; North-Eastern Hill University, India; Aleksandër Moisiu University of Durrës, Albania; Epoka University, Kosovo; American International University–Bangladesh; and LEGIS, North Macedonia.
The moderator of the 8. International Conference on Migration was Arta Xhelil, Ph.D., while the conference was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Diturije Ismaili, Ph.D.
In his welcoming speech, the Rector of MTU, Lecturer Izet Zeqiri, Ph.D., mentioned that Mother Teresa University in Skopje is proud to be part of this important academic network and that through this conference we contribute to advancing knowledge and awareness of migration issues.
Rector Zeqiri thanked the organizers, partners, speakers, and participants for their dedication and contribution. He emphasized that “the demographic potential of a country is a major prerequisite for the development and design of any future economic policy and for other similar political, educational, and health developments.” Among other things, the Rector emphasized that: “compared to the beginning of the new millennium, the number of migrants in the world has increased by 122 million, which represents 0.7% of the world population“.
This edition of the conference was attended by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Mr. Fatmir Sabriu; the former Rector of Mother Teresa University in Skopje, Lecturer Aziz Pollozhani, Ph.D.; and the former Vice-Rector for International Relations and Head of the Migration Conference of MTU, Lecturer Rizvan Sulejmani, Ph.D. In recognition of their contribution to the establishment and support of the international conference since its inception, the organizing committee awarded them certificates of appreciation.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Diturije Ismaili, Ph.D., also presented a certificate of appreciation to Ms. Mimoza Dushi, a lecturer at Hasan Pristina University in Kosovo, who presented her scientific paper, as well as to Ms. Vanja Lazaridis from the International Organization for Migrants.
The conference was divided into two main sessions:
– The first session was moderated by Ass. Prof. Elisabeta Bajrami Ollogu, Ph.D., and Assoc. Prof. Avni Avdiu, Ph.D., covering topics such as population migration, demographic consequences, and social impacts of migration in the Balkans;
– The second session, led by professors Assoc. Prof. Drenusha Kamberi, Ph.D., and Assoc. Prof. Hava Rexhep, Ph.D., addressed international studies on issues such as climate change-driven migration, social policy, and the role of technology in the new forms of migration.
The 8. International Conference on Migration served as an important point for the exchange of ideas and expertise, giving MTU a key role in the global academic network. In the future, Mother Teresa University aims to further develop this initiative, expanding cooperation and actively contributing to studies on migration and sustainable development.
MTU remains an important center for research and academic exchange at the international level.
