AAB College, UNIGRAN to co-host international business conference in Paraguay

By Peter Tase

Kosova has uniquely demonstrated how to survive in an age of turmoil, abandoned multilateralism institutions and is faring well as Asia’s rising economic powers are acquiring ever more relevance.

The military aggressions and provocations against European Union geography are on the rise. Brussel’s economic volatility, recession and poor leadership demand a greater transatlantic engagement and synchronized diplomatic actions that may ultimately contain the ongoing armed conflicts and increase investments in Higher Education, Study of Economic History and Sustainable Development in Southeast Europe.

In such a tumultuous and grey European backdrop, the Republic of Kosova, one of the world’s youngest nations, has embraced high levels of investment in improving University Education standards and bolstering International Education partnerships with the State of Israel and the United States of America.

On September 2024, the Faculty of Economics at the AAB College, Pristina, hosted an International Conference entitled: “Security, peace, and sustainable development in a troubled world”. As a Keynote Speaker, Professor Edward P. Joseph, of the Johns Hopkins University (Washington, USA) was invited; a university professor, equipped with a wealth of experience in conflict management and in U. S. Foreign Policy.

This conference, hosted by AAB College – Prishtina, represents the vision and aspirations of Kosovar society, towards forging international cooperation, hence establishing joined programs, student exchange and faculty training.

The territory of Kosova, for centuries has been the center of military aggressions, ethnic cleansing and forced migratory movements of Albanian population abandoning their native lands. In order to overcome these social obstacles and psychological wounds, Prishtina and its private sector have embarked on an exciting journey towards developing technological research, university education and international cooperation within the margins of AAB College – Prishtina.

This university is among the largest private universities in Central Europe, and its students have shown great levels of competence and leadership among Europe’s prestigious scholarly competitions in social sciences, engineering, journalism and international politics.

On December 16th, 2024; the Ambassador of Israel to Kosovo H.E. Tamar (Tammy) Ziv visited AAB College and ATV television. In her historic visit, the Ambassador of Israel to Kosovo H.E. Tamar Ziv conducted a meeting with the leaders of AAB College. Together with Ilir Tafa, Chairman of the Steering Council at AAB College, the Ambassador of Israel discussed the potential venues of cooperation in University Education and other fields of mutual interest.

On April 26th, 2023, AAB College Vice - Rectors: Venera Llunji and Shemsedin Vehapi, welcomed Professor Yehuda Hamovitz from the University of Haifa, Israel. Both parties explored the venues of strategic cooperation with the University of Haifa.

Professor Yehuda Hamovitz is a world renowned expert in cyber security, with a focus on investing in profiling the rival individuals sitting behind the cyber attacks.

He is a sought-after keynote speaker in some of the world's most prestigious forums and resilience summits. Prof. Hamovitz is a major founder and leading scholar in the field of "The human side of cyber".

Shemsedin Vehapi was the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at AAB College, Kosovo (2013-2023). In his senior administrative responsibilities, Prof. Vehapi was responsible for the evaluation, development, and implementation of academic programs, as well as drafting reports and recommendations to improve the quality of teaching and learning campus widely.

Prof. Ass. Dr. Venera Llunji is a distinguished scholar, university professor, translator, and higher education leader with over three decades of experience. She is currently Vice-Rector for International Affairs at AAB College, Prishtina, where she has propelled and crafted various successful programs of internationalization with other prestigious universities across the Atlantic: Johns Hopkins University, the National University of Santiago del Estero – Argentina; VIT Bhopal University in India and the Universidad Gran Asuncion – UNIGRAN in Paraguay.

On March 5-6, 2026, AAB COLLEGE in KOSOVO in cooperation with the Universidad Gran Asunción – UNIGRAN (led by Chancellor Dr. Juan Antonio Denis Pintos), will be hosting a major international conference in Asuncion. The Conference’s main thrust will be: “Is Global Trade Dead? The implications of international trade among the BRICS, MERCOSUR and ASEAN Countries.”

The National University of Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and VIT Bhopal University – INDIA, are the strategic partners of this conference, investing resources and strategic guidance towards the organization of the THIRD International Conference on Business, Economics, Humanities and Technology in Asuncion, Republic of Paraguay. Furthermore, the Council of Albanian Ambassadors is serving as a regional key partner for the organization of this major international event.

As geopolitical volatility rises, new pathways and strategic rationales for International Business and Economic Development are driven by national interests and geoeconomic objectives. Some of the topics to be covered in the upcoming conference are: International justice in a world succumbed into conflict; Challenges of sustainable economic development in the region; Government measures to mitigate inflation; The importance of budget reserves in times of crisis; Disinformation and hybrid warfare; Economic Policies of MERCOSUR Trade Block and Foreign Policy of Paraguay; Immigration policies and their impact on regional stability; Reform in justice systems to ensure equality and social justice; Security challenges​ cybernetic; Peace and security in the Balkan region; The history and Foreign Policy of India.

Photo: Wikipedia