Skopje, March 7, 2026 – In a ceremonial atmosphere and with great symbolic significance, the foundation stone of the new campus of Mother Teresa University in Skopje was laid today.
The project, assessed as the most strategic investment in the history of higher education in the Republic of North Macedonia, with a value of 42 million euros, brought together the highest state representatives and the leadership of the university around a shared vision for the modernization of education.
During the ceremony, the Rector of Mother Teresa University in Skopje, Full Prof. Bekim Fetaji, Ph.D., as the host, stated that this very moment marks the end of the period of improvised facilities and the beginning of a new era in which the university receives its permanent home.
MTU Rector, Full Prof. Bekim Fetaji, Ph.D., emphasized that this project represents a new temple of knowledge and humanism in the heart of Skopje, adding that the name of the saint after whom the university is named serves as a constant inspiration. He highlighted the importance of the human dimension, stating:
“Mother Teresa’s name obliges our university to stand out not only in educating minds, but also in educating the hearts of the younger generation, promoting the values of humanism, dedication, and solidarity.”
The Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Hristijan Mickoski, emphasized that the project is much more than a construction site, describing it as a strategic investment in protecting the country’s most valuable capital—its youth. The Prime Minister confirmed that the Government remains firmly committed to supporting the project by allocating 42 million euros so that our campus can provide modern conditions with laboratories and contemporary infrastructure, because, as he stated, there can be no strong economy without strong universities.
Regarding the historical significance for Albanian-language education, the Mayor of Chair municipality, Mr. Izet Mexhiti, emphasized in his speech that the campus will permanently transform Chair municipality and the city of Skopje into a university center of academic distinction. He highlighted that investments in universities build bridges between generations and protect the cultural and linguistic identity of our people, while shaping the future professional elite.
The Minister of Education and Science, Ms. Vesna Janevska, welcomed the start of construction, emphasizing that this capital investment guarantees that by 2030 academic staff and students will have ideal conditions for scientific research, placing the university on par with the most prestigious universities in the country.
Meanwhile, the First Deputy President, Mr. Bekim Sali, stated that this very foundation stone is the culmination of lengthy administrative and political efforts, stressing that from today onward the only challenge remaining is time. He assured that the campus will become an important engine of economic development and a driver of knowledge-based progress for all citizens.
Regarding the institutional and technical aspects, the Deputy Minister of Transport, Ms. Kaltrina Zekolli Shaqiri, recalled MTU’s challenging journey from improvised facilities to this culminating moment, expressing pride that the Ministry of Transport helped realize this vision by issuing the construction permit.
The campus of Mother Teresa University in Skopje will cover 31,000 square meters and will include an amphitheater, a digital library, research laboratories, sports halls, and a swimming pool, transforming it into a bastion of knowledge that will serve generations for decades to come.