OPENING CEREMONY
25-09-2025
Honorable Leadership of the Congress and of the Kosova College of Surgeons,
Distinguished colleagues and respected members of the surgical community,
Dear Nancy Lange, Medical Attaché of the U.S. Embassy,
Honorable Rector of the University of Prishtina â Prof. Arben Hajrullahu,
Honorable Mr. Rrustem Gecaj, a highly respected Albanian-American businessman and one of the supporters of the Kosova College of Surgeons,
Honorable Mr. Agim Shahini, President of the Business Alliance,
And all of you distinguished guests and members of the media,
It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you to the First Clinical Congress of Albanian Surgeons and to the celebration of the Fifth Clinical Congress of the Kosova College of Surgeons.
What we are experiencing today was one of my greatest dreams, and, I believe, of each of us, as we gather here in the beautiful city of Prishtina. We are not only marking an important moment of bringing together Albanian surgeons from all over the world but also celebrating the seventh anniversary of the Kosova College of Surgeons, a shared journey we have undertaken since our very beginning, a milestone that brings with it a deep sense of pride and accomplishment.
Make no mistake in thinking that in the previous four congresses we did not have Albanian surgeons from all over the world among the participants, in fact, we did. The only difference is that we had not yet called the Congress by this name. Now is the time to call things as they are. This year, we began in Prishtina; next year, we will be in Tirana; and the following year, in the beautiful city of Shkup. This Congress will be held in rotation.
Over the past seven years, we have worked diligently to raise surgical standards in Kosova and across the region. I am proud to share with you that we have successfully expanded our membership and united talented surgeons from a wide range of clinical surgical disciplines.
Today, we are joined by some of the finest surgeons in the world who are participating in this Congress and joining us as members of the Kosova College of Surgeons. Their presence underscores our shared commitment to fostering collaboration and ensuring that we remain at the forefront of surgical innovation.
When you look at the Congress program, it is clear that we are offering an extraordinary range of clinical science and surgical practice.
Thus, we have just concluded the Second âProfessor Rao Ivaturyâ Symposium on Trauma, Critical Care, and Burns, as well as the Symposium on Breast Surgery,
the only clinical scientific journal published in Kosova, which is now issued in collaboration with the University of Prishtina. This journal serves as an essential platform for disseminating research findings and best practices within our community.
As you will see shortly, over the next five years, the College â in cooperation with the University of Prishtina â will establish the Center for Scientific Research, Simulation, and Advanced Training at the University Level.
Furthermore, we have drafted and signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the University of Graz in Austria, one of the best universities in Europe and beyond, to further develop and advance this center.
On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Arben Hajrullahu (Rector of the University of Prishtina), Professor Lumnije Kqiku, and Professor Lars-Peter Kamolz from Graz,
one of our honorary members, for their unparalleled support and dedication in making this Memorandum of Cooperation a reality of joint work and an excellent partnership.
In addition to the Center, the Kosova College of Surgeons has already initiated three other key projects to enrich the history, knowledge, and practice of surgery, putting into practice our motto: âHonouring the Past, Building the Future.â
The first project will compile a comprehensive history of Albanian surgery throughout the centuries.
This initiative will trace the development of surgical techniques and practices across the regions historically inhabited by Albanians, acknowledging historical traditions and medical advancements.
The second project will document the role of surgeons and other medical professionals during the Kosova War (1998â1999). Through interviews with surgeons and medical personnel who served during the war, this project aims to capture their firsthand experiences, the challenges they faced, and the ethical dilemmas encountered while providing care in wartime conditions.
The third project involves conducting in-depth interviews with distinguished Albanian surgeons.
These interviews will explore their career paths, significant contributions to the field, and perspectives on the future of surgery, particularly within the Albanian context. They will be compiled into a book titled âInterviews with Renowned Albanian Surgeons,â offering inspiration and valuable insight for surgeons and aspiring medical professionals alike. This focus on Albanian surgeons will provide a broader perspective on the contributions of Albanian medical professionals throughout history and across regions.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly to organize this Congress, as well as to all of you who have travelled from near and far to be here. Together, let us embrace the spirit of collaboration and knowledge exchange that defines the essence of our profession.
Finally, allow me to say that I am especially pleased to pass the leadership baton of the Kosova College of Surgeons to a new generation of leaders, headed by Dr. Osman Zhuri.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and I wish you a productive and inspiring Congress, new friendships, and great success.
Above all, I hope that we all love our nation and our country even more, and without any hesitation.
