Internationalization

The Mediterranean University of Albania and the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Chair for Arabic Language and Culture, together with the Embassies of Arab countries in Tirana, organized for the third consecutive year the day of Arabic culture, language and tradition within the framework of UNESCO's World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.The dean of the diplomatic corps of Arab countries, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, the Ambassador of Egypt, the Ambassador of Palestine, the Deputy Ambassador of Qatar, the Charge d'Affaires of Kuwait, the Charge d'Affaires of Algeria and the Counselor of Libya, as well as the UNHCR representative in Tirana participated in this important event. Former foreign ministers, ambassadors of Albania in Arab countries and beyond, representatives of NGOs, the media, professors and students attended with great interest this event.

The ceremony was opened by the Director of the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Chair for Arabic Language and Culture at the Mediterranean University of Albania, Professor Arben Cici, who underlined that cultural diversity is not only the common heritage of humanity, but also a driving force for development, peace and mutual understanding. Today, we come together not only to recognize the richness of the Arab heritage, language and traditions, but also to confirm our commitment to cultural diversity, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence between societies. In this spirit, we are proud that our university, through Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Foundation Chair for Arabic Language and Culture, has taken a leading role in promoting intercultural understanding. We are, in fact, the only university in the country that offers academic courses in the Arabic language, a significant step in building bridges of knowledge, appreciation and exchange between cultures, underlined Professor Cici.

In his welcoming speech, the Rector of the Mediterranean University of Albania, Academician Adrian Civici, emphasized the importance of this activity within the framework of a series of comprehensive intercultural activities of Mediterranean University, especially on the special day of cultural diversity and dialogue, as an important tool to prevent the large number of culturally based and motivated of today conflicts in the world. Cultural diversity is an important tool to achieve prosperity, sustainable social development and peaceful coexistence between peoples. In a world where exchanges exceed physical boundaries, learning about other cultures is essential to overcome divisions, impossibilities and challenges, underlined Rector Civici.

In his speech, H.E. Hassan Shawky, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt thanked the Mediterranean University and the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Chair for Arabic Language and Culture for the tradition created and the participation of many young people in this event. Albania and Egypt have a valuable historical heritage of relations between peoples that serves as an example and incentive for a common future rich in cultural diversity, dialogue, mutual respect and inclusiveness.In this context, he also presented the candidacy of his country, Dr. El-Enany, for the position of Director-General of UNESCO, accompanied by an video insert.

The speech of the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Endrit Yzeiraj focused on the importance of further developing not only political but also economic relations with Arab countries in the future, based on the old friendly relations between Albania and these countries. He assessed this activity as a new opportunity in the approach of cultural diversity with the Arab world through the promotion of the Arabic language and culture.

Professor and writer, Mr. Ylljet Alicka, through his impressions from the experience of translating his books into Arabic and participating in the Cairo Book Fair, emphasized that through culture and the promotion of cultural diversity, societies and peoples come closer and contribute to their cultural and social development.

Professor Gilda Hoxha shared her impressions of the experience of learning foreign languages, especially that of the Arabic language, as well as the important impact on the process of mutual recognition, that of cultural diversity in societies and the rapprochement of peoples and societies.

At the end of the conference, all the guests visited the Arab culinary, culture, tourism and cultural heritage fair prepared by the Embassies of Arab countries in Albania.

This extraordinary experience, which has now become a tradition of the Mediterranean University of Albania, aims to protect and promote the Arabic language and culture as valuable elements of cultural diversity for the benefit of accepting other cultures and heritages, especially in the Mediterranean region and the Arab world, rich in different cultures, languages, religions and histories and with valuable contributions to the history of humanity.