FACULTY OF TOURISM, HOTEL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Dukagjini Plain including the city of Peja as the main center of this area, constitutes the flat part of the Western region of Kosovo, which extends from the north of Mokna and Mali i Thatë to the south of Mount Sharr, in the west the border is made up of the Eastern Albanian Alps (Bjeshkët e Nemuna), while the eastern border is the Llapushë hills. It extends over a length of 70 km and a width of 43 km. The plain consists of lake and alluvial layers along the river valleys, the sides are made of material brought from the mountains by rivers and streams, therefore this part is significantly higher than the eastern part, which is significantly lower along the Drini valley.
The Dukagjini Plain is cut by several river valleys, with wide alluvial plains, river terraces and lake plains between the valleys. The Dukagjini Plain is distinguished by a milder climate, which is dictated by the water masses of the Adriatic, which penetrate through the Drini Valley. The landscape of the Dukagjini Plain is distinguished by various agricultural crops: wheat, corn, trees, vegetables, vineyards, meadows, while pastures and oak forests are found in the lake plains. The composition of the Dukagjini Plain includes 9 municipal units (Peja, Burimi, Deçan, Klina, Gjakova, Rahovec, Prizren, Theranda). The Dukagjini Plain includes 40% of the territory and population of Kosovo.
The stunning landscapes of the Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains, the cultural and architectural heritage, the old Albanian museums and towers, the old religious buildings, the spas, the traditional food, the caves, the trails that can be traversed on foot, on horseback and by mountain bike, etc. These are some of the attractions that should definitely be enjoyed by everyone who visits Dukagjini. Precisely, these were the bases that determined the establishment of the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Environmental Management, focusing precisely on the capacities that this area has and on preparing students as future leaders and managers with the competence to reveal and promote these beauties to local and foreign visitors, thus promoting the economic development of this region and beyond. The focus of this faculty has been determined so that within the study programs, the practical work of students is also oriented in the spheres of attractive products, full of adrenaline, adventure, culture and tradition. Tourist attractions in the Dukagjini area have a lot to offer for all ages. Starting from extreme sports Via Ferrata in Peja and Deçan, Zipline, Adventure Park, hiking through various trails in the Rugova Gorge in Decan, Junik and Istog, etc. But also for fans of cultural monuments or tasting traditional dishes, we offer a lot in the city and in the guesthouses in Rugova and Peja, Devan Gorge - Belleja, Junik with Morenica and Jasiq Gorge, Istog with the Istog mountains and the spring, etc.,
The center of the Dukagjini Zone is considered very rich, even in ancient times there was gold and other riches. In the 3rd and 4th centuries BC, the entire Roman Empire survived on gold and silver in this part of our country. This is very important for the information of visitors because it is a feature that very few countries in the world have. In the framework of the funerary monuments of the Illyrian era, the stela and the cippus occupy an important place. These two exhibits belong to the 2nd century AD. They were discovered in the 1970s, in the archaeological site near the Battery Factory in Peja.
The Ethnological Museum of Peja is located in an old town house dating back to the second half of the 18th century. Known as the Tahir Bey Mansion, it is one of the most beautiful examples of an old town house. The museum houses more than 120 artifacts, ranging from national costumes, tools and old weapons, which tell the rich history of this area. For more information about the municipalities of the Dukagjini area, click on the link:
Peja, https://kk.rks-gov.net/skenderaj/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2021/01/0926_210127110547_001.pdf
Istog, https://kk.rks-gov.net/istog/news/identifikimi-i-potencialeve-turistike-ne-istog/
Decani, https://triptoalbania.al/juniku-vend-atraktiv-per-ta-vizituar/
Klina,https://kk.rks-gov.net/skenderaj/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2021/01/0926_210127110547_001.pdf
Junik, https://triptoalbania.al/juniku-vend-atraktiv-per-ta-vizituar/
History. – The establishment of the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Environmental Management (FTHEM) was the result of a well-analyzed process based on data and recommendations that emerged from the feasibility document for the establishment of the University of Peja. This document was drafted by the British Council at the request of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Kosovo. Based on this document, the management of the former Faculty of Applied Business Sciences, while drafting proposals for the opening of faculties within the new university in Peja, provides well-founded reasons that the creation and strengthening of such an academic unit will be of vital importance for the tourism and hospitality economy of the Dukagjini region and beyond. Important attributes for the functionality of this faculty include the long tradition of Peja and the Dukagjini region in providing hotel, tourist, camping, mountain tourism services, geographical position, proximity to the border with three countries, rich spiritual and cultural heritage, handicrafts, the existence of centuries-old religious and civil buildings, etc., which are given in more detail in the above-mentioned links. In addition to these components, the existence of programs developed within the former Higher School of Economics / Department of Tourism and Hotel Management (1969-1975) and their continuation, initially in the School of Business (2001 - 2003), transferred to the Faculty of Applied Business Sciences (2004 - 2012), are also considered important. In particular, in the period 2004 – 2012, a certain number of academic staff were promoted to academic positions in this field, adding others, precisely at the time of its establishment. Due to the importance and interest that society had in creating cadres in the field of environmental protection related to tourism and hospitality, in order for this academic unit to gain a new and special identity, after numerous consultations and recommendations of representatives of the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency within the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Spatial Planning, it is proposed that the Department of Environmental Management be added to this faculty.
Founded. – For the establishment of the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Environmental Management, three important moments are: First, the Decision of the Minister of MEST No. 434/1 B, dated 14.11. 2011 for the establishment of the “Haxhi Zeka” University: Second, the Decision of the Minister of MEST with no. 435/01B, dated 14.11.2012 for the appointment of the Temporary Governing Council and the third, 06.01.2012 the day of signing the Temporary Statute of the University “Haxhi Zeka. The draft Statute was submitted for approval to the Minister of MAHT by the Temporary Governing Council of UHZ. On the occasion of the signing of this temporary act, specifically in article 26, it is regulated that the Faculty of Management, Tourism, Hospitality and Environment is an academic unit of UHZ.. Therefore, the date of establishment of the FMTHM of UHZ is 06.01.2012.
accreditation. – At the beginning of 2012, the staff of this faculty prepared two programs for accreditation: Tourism and Hospitality Management (BSC) and Environmental Management (BSC). On July 6, 2012, KAA successfully accredited only the Tourism and Hospitality Management (BSC) program for a one-year period. This accreditation for a short-term program accreditation by the Kosovo Accreditation Agency with no. 437/12 dated 09.07.2012, is justified because at the moment UHZ did not yet have a clear legal status.
The first management of FMTHM. – The Interim Governing Council of the “Haxhi Zeka” University, in its regular meeting held on 20.09.2012, at the FMTHM appoints Dr.sc. Fetah Reçica, prof.ass. – UD Dean and Msc. Shqiponja Nallbani, PhD Kand. UD Vice-Dean who are authorized, until the conditions for holding regular elections are created, to exercise these duties in accordance with the statutory provisions and other acts in force.
Start of work of FMTHM. – Officially, FMTHM, with only one program in basic studies, in the capacity of a faculty within the UHZ, begins its work on 01.10.2012.
Re-accreditation. – Considering the short-term accreditation of FMTHM, the management of this academic unit, for the academic year 2013/2014, applies for accreditation with four programs as follows: Tourism and Hospitality Management (BSC), Tourism Management (BSC) for teaching in Bosnian, Environmental Management (BSC) and Tourism (MA). After the evaluation and accreditation procedure, the KAA issued the decision no. 486/13, where the accreditation of the Tourism and Hospitality Management (BSC) program is extended for a period of three (3) years, and the Tourism Management (BSC) program for teaching in Bosnian is also accredited (from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2016), while the Environmental Management (BSC) and Tourism (MA) programs are not accredited.
The leading managerial contribution of the faculty dean's office is presented as follows since 2012, making every effort for high performance in all organizational aspects, students, highly competent staff at the national level and in building academic capacities within this unit.
In the year (2012/2013), the Dean is elected Prof.Assoc.Dr. Fetah Reçica (decision ref. no. 01-29f / 12, date 20.09.2012). While the Acting Vice-Dean for Teaching and Financial Affairs Msc. Shqiponja Nallbani (decision ref. No. 01-29g / 12, date 20.09.2012). Prof.Ass.Dr. Afrim Selimaj is appointed Acting Vice-Dean for Teaching and Finance (decision ref. 01-1412/13, date 16.12.2013). .
In 2015, Acting Dean Prof. Assoc. Dr. Halit Shabani was appointed (decision ref. no. 188, date 05.12.2015) while Acting Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs Prof. Assoc. Afrim Selimaj. In January 2015, Former Dean Halit Shabani became Dean of the Faculty of Business.
Based on Article 42 and Article 48 paragraph 1.24 of the Statute of the “Haxhi Zeka” University in Peja, the Senate on 11.02.2016 appointed Acting Dean Prof.Assoc.Dr. Adem Dreshaj, (decision ref. no. 204, date 10.02.2016). In the same year, the Council of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences proposed to the Senate of the “Haxhi Zeka” University, Acting Vice-Dean Prof.Assoc.Dr. Bedri Millaku, who was elected Acting Vice-Dean (Decision ref. no. 294, date 24.02.2016). On 18.05.2018, Prof.Assoc.Dr. Adem Dreshaj was elected Acting Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (decision ref. no. 1134, date 18.05.2018). .
In 2021, Associate Professor Dr. Adem Dreshaj was elected Dean (decision ref. no. 1480/21, dated 23.06.2021), while Associate Professor Bedri Millaku was elected Vice-Dean for Academic and Teaching Affairs (decision ref. no. 2733, dated 19.10.2021) and Associate Professor Albona Shala was elected Vice-Dean for Budget, Finance and Infrastructure (decision ref. no. 2724, dated 19.10.2021). Who continue to successfully achieve the planned strategic objectives even today.
Re-accreditation. – According to the needs of the Faculty of Higher Education, the review of current programs, the management of this academic unit, for the academic year 2016/2017, applies for accreditation of the following programs: Tourism Management, Hospitality (BSC), is accredited for three years, while the Bosnian program due to the lack of program holders, the Ministry of Education continues accreditation for five years, Tourism Management (BSC) for teaching in the Bosnian language, Program: Environmental Management (Msc) is not accredited. The Ministry of Education continues accreditation for one more year for all higher education institutions in Kosovo. In 2019, decision no. 871/6, dated 30.07.2019, we applied for accreditation of the programs Tourism Management, Hospitality and Environment, is accredited for three years, Environmental Management and Tourism, is not accredited. .
In 2020, we applied for accreditation of the Environmental Management programs, which are accredited for three years, while the Sustainable Tourism Management program is not accredited.