UAMD strengthens academic and institutional cooperation with the city of Bari and the Arbëresh municipalities of Italy

Today, the Rector of UAMD, Prof. Dr. Shkëlqim Fortuzi, hosted the Mayor of Bari, Mr. Vito Leccese, together with the Vice-Mayor of Chieuti, Arbëresh municipality, Foggia province, Dr. Michele Di Luca, Professor Giuseppe Morgese, delegate for international development and cooperation with EU countries and institutions of the Rector of Aldo Moro University, Bari, Prof. Roberto Bellotti, Mr. Giuseppe Laterza, head of the Italian publishing house “Edizioni Giuseppe Laterza,” Mr. Tommaso Garofalo, Advisor to the Mayor of Pianna degli Albanesi, Bari and 6 Arbëresh municipalities, Prof. Arben Dushi, Governor of Rotary International, Albania-Kosovo District, 2485 and Mr. Jonadri Prodani, representative of Rotary E-Club Durrës, 24.

During this important meeting, the extraordinary value and potential that cooperation between Durrës and Bari and the entire Puglia region offers for our communities and countries was discussed through education, economy, historical and cultural heritage, and human capacities.

Rector Fortuzi emphasized that UAMD aims to further become a regional development factor and will play an important role in strengthening the comprehensive cooperation between Durrës and Bari.

UAMD collaborates closely with the most prestigious Italian universities, such as Sapienza, Tor Vergata, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Salento, Bologna, etc., with joint degrees, with Italian and UAMD students developing semesters of study and mobility between the two countries. Our academic staff is highly engaged in exchanges and projects with Italian universities.

The connection between UAMD and Italy will be increasingly strengthened. Special attention will also be paid to young Arbëreshë students studying at UAMD, thanks to the willingness of the Arbëreshë municipalities in Italy and the support of Rotary E-Club Durrës, 24, for covering the accommodation and living expenses for some of them.

The Mayor of Leccese and the other members of the delegation expressed their highest appreciation for the increase in the academic quality of UAMD and for the unprecedented strengthening in terms of internationalization through joint and double degrees with Italian and EU universities. A university with high standards and a factor in the regional development of Albania-Italy academic relations.

The meeting discussed close academic cooperation through the opening of joint programs between UAMD and Aldo Moro University and with the Polytechnic University of Bari.