Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi stands as a visionary leader whose transformative impact on higher education exemplifies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and societal advancement. As Founder and President of the University for Business and Technology (UBT) in Kosovo, Prof. Hajrizi has pioneered a remarkable journey that mirrors the rebirth of a nation—rebuilding Kosovo’s educational and economic landscape after conflict through entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic foresight.
Under his leadership, UBT evolved from a modest beginning with only 29 students in 2004 to over 15,000 today, becoming Kosovo’s leading private university and a regional hub of excellence. Prof. Hajrizi’s commitment to entrepreneurship is deeply woven into UBT’s DNA, reflected in over 100 successful spin-offs, the establishment of the UBT Accelerator, and initiatives such as the INSPIRE Center and the Digital Innovation Hub. UBT’s recognition as the "European Young Entrepreneurial University of the Year" in 2023 is a testament to his strategic vision for education as a catalyst for economic growth and societal transformation.
A champion of innovation, Prof. Hajrizi envisioned and built the UBT Innovation Campus—an integrated "Campus of Tomorrow" that blends cutting-edge technology, sustainability, interdisciplinary research, and community service into a living smart city model. His commitment to sustainable development is enshrined in UBT’s Institutional Strategy on SDGs, the Action Plan for a Smart, Carbon-Neutral Campus, and numerous initiatives promoting green technologies, renewable energy, and inclusive education.
Beyond infrastructure, Prof. Hajrizi’s leadership fostered a vibrant culture of civic and community engagement. UBT’s broad portfolio of free healthcare services, psychological counseling, inclusive scholarships, open research platforms, and proactive crisis response initiatives highlights the university’s—and his personal—dedication to social responsibility and global resilience. Through partnerships with national institutions and the UN, he has aligned academic outputs directly with national SDG monitoring, bridging higher education and policymaking.
His influence extends beyond the campus, shaping Kosovo’s innovation ecosystem: 65% of the ICT sector workforce are UBT graduates, with over 1,000 jobs created annually through UBT’s ecosystem. By empowering students, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and embedding inclusivity at all levels, Prof. Hajrizi has built a university that not only educates but actively transforms society.
Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi’s extraordinary vision, strategic leadership, and relentless dedication to innovation, sustainability, and social impact embody the very essence of transformative leadership in higher education. His journey from a war-torn society to global recognition stands as a compelling model of how a single leader’s ambition and empathy can ignite institutional excellence and drive meaningful, lasting change.
