The newly appointed rector of South East European University (SEEU), Prof. Dr. Sadudin Ibraimi, said on Wednesday the institution will continue its sustainable and ambitious development, aiming to expand its role and influence in higher education in North Macedonia and the wider region.
“Let us build together a university without borders, one that promotes diversity, equality, responsibility and service to society; a university that develops not only knowledge but also humanity,” Ibraimi said at his inauguration ceremony, attended by diplomats, rectors from North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo, academic staff, students and family members.
Klaus Tochtermann, chairman of SEEU’s Board, praised the contribution of outgoing rector Prof. Dr. Abdylmenaf Bexheti, who, he said, consolidated the university as a major regional hub of higher education while fostering innovation, inclusion and international cooperation. He added that Ibraimi’s election reflected the Board’s and the academic community’s confidence in his leadership skills.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science Lulzim Aliu said the ministry would remain a close partner of the university.
“With your experience, professionalism and dedication, you will successfully lead the university through new challenges, giving priority to innovation, digitalization and involving students in decision-making. The Ministry of Education and Science will continue to be a close partner of your university and others in the country,” Aliu said.
Former rector Bexheti described the event as a “moment of passing the baton” and expressed confidence that his successor would steer the university toward even greater success, with the support of staff and the academic community.
Who is Sadudin Ibraimi?
Prof. Dr. Sadudin Ibraimi has extensive experience in technical sciences and a steady academic career at well-known universities in Turkey and North Macedonia.
He completed his PhD studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (January 2005 – September 2009) in Industrial Engineering and Management. His dissertation was titled: “Contribution to research on location selection, capacity provision and technology choice for production strategy planning.”
He earned his master’s degree at the Faculty of Business Administration, Ankara University, Turkey (September 1994 – June 1997) in Management, with a thesis on “Financing of Foreign Trade in Macedonia.”
He obtained his bachelor’s degree at Erciyes University in Turkey (August 1991 – June 1994) in Industrial Management.
Ibraimi takes over following the two-term mandate of Acad. Prof. Dr. Abdylmenaf Bexheti.