(on the occasion of the 193rd anniversary of birth)
Naming the University of Peja after Haxhi Zeka is not just a symbolic honor, but a manifesto of the educational and social mission of the institution – to carry the spirit of emancipation, unity and progress towards an inclusive and pro-European society.
“Haxhi Zeka” University does not bear the name of a historical figure simply for formal or symbolic reasons. The name of Haxhi Zeka is a semantic axis, a reference point that connects the past with the present and orients the institution towards the future. In this sense, every development of the University, every mission of its and every strategic step undertaken today, can and should be read in the light of the life and work of the tribune and patriot who gave this institution its name.
Haxhi Zeka, born on December 20, represents a rare figure in our national history, where patriotism, education, economic development and social responsibility do not stand apart, but are naturally intertwined. He acted in an extremely difficult time for Albanians, in conditions of statelessness, lack of institutions and constant political pressure. However, beyond his political and national commitment, Haxhi Zeka understood early on that freedom cannot be sustainable without knowledge, that identity does not survive without education, and that progress is not achieved without economic development.
In this spirit, his commitment to financing and initiating teaching in the Albanian language was not simply a cultural act, but a strategic move. Education in the mother tongue was for Haxhi Zeka an instrument of emancipation, a way to make society more aware, more capable and more organized. Equally significant is the fact that he was among the first in the region to invest in industry and manufacturing, understanding that economic development is a prerequisite for social dignity and national sustainability. This makes Haxhi Zeka not only a political figure of the Renaissance, but also a visionary of development, a modern mind for his time.
This philosophy of life of Haxhi Zeka finds clear continuity today in the mission and development of the University that bears his name. “Haxhi Zeka” University is built on three fundamental missions: teaching, scientific research and service to society. These are not separate missions, but components of an integrated vision, just as education, economy and society were inseparable in the activity of Haxhi Zeka himself.
In the last decade, UHZ has moved from a classical university towards the concept of an entrepreneurial university and University 4.0, understanding that the role of a contemporary university does not end in the classroom. Initiatives such as UNI NOVA, FERD – Institute for Science and Arts, and the construction of the quadruple helix model are concrete expressions of this philosophy. They aim to create sustainable bridges between the university, industry, public institutions and civil society, turning knowledge into social and economic value. In this sense, UHZ is doing what Haxhi Zeka did intuitively in the 19th century: it is connecting knowledge with real development.
Also, the development of integrated curricula, the continuous improvement of the university infrastructure, the organization of the Summer and Winter University, international scientific conferences and the increase of academic mobilities, are part of a process that aims to increase the quality and open the university to the world. Quality certificates and accreditations from the Kosovo Accreditation Agency are not an end in themselves, but instruments to guarantee that this university is in line with European and international standards. This also symbolically corresponds to the mission of Haxhi Zeka, who sought integration, dignity and equality for Albanians in a broader political and social context.
The internationalization of “Haxhi Zeka” University, membership in international university networks and institutions, as well as the development of doctoral studies, represent another dimension of this vision. They place the university in a continuous dialogue with the global academic world, giving students and staff the opportunity to be an active part of the production of knowledge. Symbolically, this reflects Haxhi Zeka’s aspiration to bring Albanian society out of isolation and to make it part of the developments of the time.
In the end, “Haxhi Zeka” University honors his figure not only with name, but with action. Every investment in knowledge, every step towards innovation, every effort for economic and social development, is a way to actualize Haxhi Zeka’s mission in the 21st century. Thus, the historical legacy does not remain frozen in memory, but becomes a strategic guide, making the university not only the bearer of his name, but the continuer of his vision.
