SEEU’s Global Reach: Advancing Knowledge and Experience through UK Alumni

South East European University (SEEU), as part of its 23rd Anniversary celebration, highlights its strong ties with prestigious UK universities, which have enriched its academic community by bringing together both experienced professors and emerging researchers who bring new knowledge strengthening SEEU’s competitiveness. SEEU’s commitment to fostering internationalization is exemplified in its approach to building a faculty with a diverse range of experiences from top institutions around the world, particularly the United Kingdom.

Over the past decade, SEEU has been fortunate to welcome back professors and researchers who studied at prestigious UK universities, each contributing to the growth of the university’s teaching and research capacities.

Mennan Selimi, for example, is currently working as a Senior Research Associate at SEEU’s Max van der Stoel Institute. Before joining SEEU, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Cambridge, where he contributed to EU-funded projects focused on improving internet connectivity in underserved regions. His experience has brought a valuable international perspective to SEEU’s research efforts, helping the university play a meaningful role in projects that extend beyond North Macedonia.

Similarly, Hyrije Abazi Alili, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, returned to SEEU after completing her PhD at Staffordshire University. She has been teaching econometrics and corporate finance, bringing both international and local perspectives to her classes. Through her role, Hyrije has contributed to developing a curriculum that meets the needs of the local economy and helps prepare students for opportunities in the global market.

Fatmir Besimi, who holds a PhD in Economics from Staffordshire University, has balanced his work at SEEU with a political career that includes serving as the Minister of Finance, Minister of Economy and Minister of Defence of North Macedonia. His academic journey also includes executive programs at Harvard, Yale, and Cambridge, which add valuable insights to his teaching at SEEU. Fatmir’s hands-on experience in public policy and economics allows him to share practical knowledge with students and colleagues, supporting SEEU’s commitment to applied learning and policy-making.

Merita Zulfiu Alili, an alumna of Staffordshire University, serves as an Associate Professor and Dean of SEEU’s Faculty of Contemporary Social Sciences. With a focus on labor market dynamics, labor migration, and transition economies, her MSc and PhD studies in the UK have greatly influenced her teaching and research at SEEU. Her PhD thesis, “The Impact of Foreign Ownership on Wage Inequality and Skill Intensity in Transition Economies with Special Reference to Macedonia,” highlights her dedication to exploring economic challenges in the region through a thoughtful, research-based approach.

In the past year, SEEU’s dedication to international collaboration has been further strengthened by the addition of four young researchers, all of whom have recently completed advanced degrees in the UK. 

Fortesa Asani adds a valuable perspective to SEEU’s academic community as one the Chevening Scholars currently at the university. With a background from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, she focuses on International, Social, and Public Policy, specializing in social issues such as poverty, inequalities, social protection and how social policies can address these challenges. Her work supports SEEU’s policy research initiatives and aligns well with the university’s mission to foster an interdisciplinary research environment that connects academia with public policy.

Lejla Ademi Shaqiri, a McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellowship winner, completed her master’s degree in Air Pollution, Management and Control at the University of Birmingham. Her research focused on apportioning the sources of PM concentration in urban households in Tetovo using Non-Negative Matrix Factorization, marking the first time such methods were applied in the city. This work is already contributing to SEEU’s efforts to tackle pressing environmental issues within the region.

Albinota Nuredini, who joined SEEU after completing her MSc at the University of Birmingham as a McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellow, has focused her work on the correlation between air quality and mortality rates in Kicevo, North Macedonia. Her research directly aligns with SEEU’s commitment to using evidence-based strategies to address local public health challenges, particularly in areas affected by environmental concerns.

Also joining SEEU is Vlera Ismaili, another McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellow from the University of Birmingham. Her expertise in pollution control and air monitoring technology supports SEEU’s research initiatives in environmental health, making her an invaluable member of the team working on sustainable development in North Macedonia.

Together, these distinguished professors and talented young researchers represent SEEU’s vision of fostering a genuinely international academic community. By investing in its alumni and welcoming this talented group of scholars back to North Macedonia, SEEU enhances its local influence while also creating a dynamic, globally connected university that is ready to address complex regional and global challenges.