Prof. Izet Zeqiri, Ph.D., Rector of the “Mother Teresa” University in Skopje, visited the University of Rijeka on June 24, 2024, where he was welcomed by the Rector, Prof. Snježana Prijić Samaržija, Ph.D., and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Lado Kranjčević, Ph.D.
Disheartened by the increasing decline in the number of students in this part of Europe, the rectors discussed the similarities and differences in higher education systems. Comparing the Macedonian and Croatian educational systems, Rector Zeqiri emphasized that the dramatic decline in the number of students – especially in Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina – has negatively impacted the finances as a smaller number of students means less income from enrollment fees. As one of the problems, he mentioned the disparity in the number of professors versus students, which means that many professors fail to fulfill their prescribed teaching norms. However, as rector Zeqiri says, the “Mother Teresa” University in Skopje is a true multi-ethnic university that successfully brings together students from Serbia (southern part), Kosovo, and Macedonia.
Rector Zeqiri and Rector Prijić Samaržija also discussed the differences in the election of the rector. While the University of Rijeka is very democratic in this respect, Macedonian universities have adopted the Slovenian system of electing rectors, whereby the rectors are chosen by all teaching staff based on set criteria. During the meeting, they also discussed the differences between public and private universities and the problem of academic recognition of foreign higher education qualifications.
When he assumed the position of rector in 2022, Professor Zeqiri founded the Center for Quality Assurance, whose goal is to monitor the quality of teaching and student satisfaction, but also the teachers themselves and their workload. Rector Zeqiri was the first to introduce the process by which teachers evaluate their colleagues (peer review), taking into account the curriculum, planned activities within the course (for both teachers and students), the quality of teaching, but also achievements at the end of the academic year. During his term of office, he also wishes to implement dual education (according to the German model).
Prompted by a common desire for cooperation in areas of common interest, Rector Prijić Samaržija and Rector Zeqiri signed a Memorandum of Understanding that represents the basis for more concrete forms of cooperation on joint projects and initiatives, promotion of direct contacts and cooperation among all members of the academic community.
During his stay in Rijeka, Rector Zeqiri will also visit the Faculty of Engineering, where he will meet with the Dean, Prof. Kranjčević and Assist. Prof. Matej Fonović, Ph.D., Erasmus coordinator at the Faculty.
