Monthly Archives: June 2013

Osman Sadkiu, the newest canton level representative of Albanian origin in Switzerland

Members of Kosovo Albanian Diaspora in Switzerland, being one of the largest Kosovo communities abroad, is slowly taking its steps towards engaging within democratic institutions of the host country. Osman Sadiku is one of the five Kosovo-born citizens of Switzerland that was elected as a legislator in one of the 26 cantons of the country. 

The Albanian community in Switzerland, from 26th of June has its fifth legislator within canton level parliaments. Osman Sadiku,  a representative of the Social Democratic Party has sworn the oath on Wednesday at the canton Parliament of Glarus, where he will be holding the mandate of a legislator. Before  Sadiku’s oath, there are four other legislators of Albanian origin from Kosovo that were elected in Swiss Institutions. Zari Xhaferi was elected at the canton of Zug. Ylfete Fanaj at the canton of Lucerne; another was the Albanian-Swiss citizen, Etrit Hassler who was elected at the canton of St.Gallen.  All four representatives come from the ranks of the Social Democratic Party. The  first ever cantonal-level legislator of Albanian origin is Osman Osmani, elected in 2006 at the canton of Schaffhausein.

Osman Sadiku, an immigration specialist, residing for 18 years in Switzerland. From Kosovo, Dardana Municipality, went to Switzerland to work as an electric engineer. In Switzerland he worked for 14 years at the Red Cross, in Glarus. There, he gathered important experience working with foreigners and people in need. This and his engagement with social activities brought him close to the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland.

The original article was posted in Albanian at IndeksOnline. Click here to read the original article.  

 

YOUNG SCHOLARS FROM KOSOVO: STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY OF PERUGIA

Young Scholars From Kosovo: Studying At Univeristy Of Perugia

The University of Perugia, one of the oldest universities in Italy and Europe, has hosted around fifty Kosovo students from Gjilan and Ferizaj as part of an initiative started by  Don Sandro Sciaboletta, a Catholic priest from Trini, Italy,  and a great friend of Kosovo. 

The University of Perugia is well-known in Europe, and was ranked as one of the top ten universities in Italy. The city of  of Perugia has a long academic tradition, and attracts a lot of students worldwide. Particularly, the University of Foreigners is located in Perugia, and brings together students from all over the world interested to study Italian language and culture. A group of students from Kosovo are among the many internationals living and studying in Perugia. The presence of representatives of the newborn and small country, Kosovo is visible in this prestigious university. These students attend different faculties such as that of Medicine, Economy, Political Sciences, Engineering, Sciences of Investigation and Security, Pharmacy and Faculty of Communication. Many of them graduated and now are pursuing their postgraduate studies, either at the Master or PhD level in Italy or Europe.

The community of Kosovo students that continues to study in different faculties at the University of Perugia went there through a project initiated by Don Sandro Sciaboletta, a Catholic priest living in Terni. He has a special relation with Kosovo and its people. Don Sciaboletta has provided shelter to some families from Kosovo during the war, and was profoundly impressed with the cultural values, and the courage of his guests. He decided to visit them in Kosovo after the war, and the project to bring bright Kosovo students to the University of Perugia  came to fruition. Don Sciaboletta first made it possible for the children he hosted during the war to go to the university. Later he extended the program to other students with the support of Municipality of Ferizaj and Gjilan. The program selected the best students of high schools in the two municipalities.

fThe community of Kosovo students living in Umbria region has also been very active in promoting their new born country, Kosovo. They have been involved in many events presenting their cultural traditions and values of Albanians in Kosovo. They have showcased local music, dancing, literature, and cuisine. The events hosted a large number of guests with influence from the local community, from students to professionals, professors to diplomatic circles. “Promoting Kosovo in Italy,” said Arbnor Ajvazi, one of the students at the university, “is very important because we not only increase the understanding about our culture and traitions with the local community, but also of the Romanian and Spanish speaking Diasporas that come from countries that have not yet recognize Kosovo’s independence.”

Mjellma Zhuta: RIT Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar

Houston-based Kosovar Mjellma Zhuta was honored last weekend as an Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar, helping to build Kosovo’s acclaim among the academic community. 

Mjellma Zhuta, of Houston, daughter of Naza and Kadri Zhuta of Prishtina, Kosovo, was named a 2012-2013 Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar during a ceremony April 11 at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Mjellma is a fourth-year student in the Applied Arts and Science program.

Outstanding Undergraduate Scholarship Awards are presented to students who have achieved the distinction of maintaining a minimum university grade point average of 3.85 out of a possible 4.0 and completed at least 125 quarter credit hours of study, nearly two-thirds of the credit hours required for a baccalaureate degree. Selection is also based on other factors complementing academic achievement, such as creative work, service on student committees, civic activities, employment and independent research.

Each RIT scholar receives a bronze medallion representing the traditional symbols for wisdom and respect-the Athenian owl and the olive branch.

Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. In addition, the university offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. RIT enrolls nearly 18,000 full- and part-time students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.

For more than two decades, U.S. News & World Report has ranked RIT among the nation’s leading comprehensive universities. RIT is featured in The Princeton Review’s 2013 edition of The Best 377 Colleges as well as its Guide to 322 Green Colleges. The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2013 names RIT as a “Best Buy,” and The Chronicle of Higher Education recognizes RIT among the “Great Colleges to Work For 2012.”

This article was taken from the Cypress Creek Mirror, of yourhoustonnews.com. Click here to view the original article.