CON GRA T CLAS SO
TULA T I OF 2 ONSS 014
Yearbook TEAM 4
Head of Photography Donjeta Osmani Albiana Murtezi Head of Design Arlind Haliti Rina Hapciu
Faculty Advisor: Daniel Cosentino
Head of Layout Henor Deshishku Head of Content Dardan Hajrizi Head of Marketing Njomza Salihu Assistants Fjoralba Krapi Shpetim Sokoli Arbias Llolluni Shpresa Frrokaj Blend Dubova Imrit Kasapolli Adonis Gashi Fisnik Deshishku Sezgin Avci Ervina Hakaj Genta Jusufi Getoar Agushi Valbona Hoti Etrit Haxhiu Premtim Dervishaj Nol Markaj Driton Mehmeti
5
Table of Contents A Message From the President AUK
12
Photographs Faculty and Staff Freshman Class Sophomore Class Junior Class Senior Class
14 29 38 52 68
Student Government
88
KSF Cadets
90
AUK Clubs MUN Club Media Club Economists’ Club Charity Club Management Club Book Literature Club Dance Club Music Club
94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108
Special THANKS to our platinum sponsors for their contribution to the 2014 Yearbook
RIT GLOBAL CONGRATULATES THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2014!!!
STUDY ABROAD SPRING SEMESTER 2015
AT THE RIT CAMPUS IN ROCHESTER NY
OR CONSIDER ONE OF OUR OTHER GLOBAL CAMPUSES IN
CROATIA & DUBAI
for more information visit
rit.edu/global
AUK PRESIDENT’S NOTE 12
O
n behalf of the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and the staff of A.U.K. and of Rochester Institute of Technology, I extend with great pleasure my congratulations to the graduating class of 2014. Your academic achievements, symbolized by the diploma presented to you today, have prepared each of you, we trust, for productive lives and fulfilling careers. But it is you, individually, who must make the diligent use of talents you have developed and skills you have learned during your years at A.U.K. to achieve your full potential.
Dr. Winfred Thompson
President, A.U.K.
Gratitude is due to the parents and family members who have made the financial and other sacrifices making it possible for our graduates to complete their degrees; to the friends and patrons of A.U.K. who have made its success possible; and to the people of Kosovo and the city of Pristina for providing such an hospitable environment for A.U.K., its faculty and staff, and its students. Finally, A.U.K. sincerely thanks our academic partner, the Rochester Institute of Technology, whose degrees are awarded today and upon whose support and expertise A.U.K. so greatly relies. To the graduates, I extend my personal best wishes wherever life’s journey may take you.
Dr. Winfred Thompson
President, A.U.K.
13
THE AUK TEAM
FACULTY AND STAFF 16
WinfredThompson
AgonNimani
AjtenCami
AlbinaBalidemaj
AmirLuma
ArlindaHajdari
ArmendBekaj
ArniArnthorsson
BardhaSadiku
AUK Yearbook 2014
DanielCosentino
DavidEustice
DonjetaHaliti
DriartElshani
EdmondMuhaxheri
EnisVehapi
FatimeMulolli
FestimBujupi
FlakeSejfullahu
17
FACULTY AND STAFF 18
FlutraPushka Emini
GaniShasivari
GazmendMaliqi
HasanShabani
IdrizHaliti
IlirjanaAdemaj
ImraneHoxha
IvanaStevanovic
JuliaNorrgard
AUK Yearbook 2014
LenditaRugova
LeonardCamaj
MehdiZeneli
MentorNimani
MichaelWaschak
MimozaPolloshka
MimozaMustafa
MirveteKllokoqi
MrikaAliu
19
FACULTY AND STAFF 20
NaimFejzullahu
NazmiVitija
NexhatLahu
RrahmanIslami
RrezartaXhaferi
SarandaHajrullahu
TeutaBerisha Vitia
ValeriaDalipi
VisarJasiqi
AUK Yearbook 2014
XhevahirKolgjini
YlberinaMorina
21
FACULTY AND STAFF 22
Not Pictured Limani Kotorri Korbi English Rexha Rugova Balidemaj Kraja Sejdiu Qirezi Sadriu Muharremi Luci Bowen Wetzel Wechsler Pomberg Ziberi Pinnell
Artan Mrika Hajdar Alicia Blerim Ermir Festina Garentina Korab Arben Arben Robert Nita Brian David William Michele Linda Lorraina
Kolgjini Julie McCormick Ryan Bislimi Besnik Demukaj Venera Jupolli Mjellma Bicaj Lindita Krasniqi Ilir Bajrami Lavon Shuku Fjolla Salihu Hasan Sylejmani Bahrije Kllokoqi Fatmire Azemi Haki Tahiri Agim Azemi Ajet Pireva Behxhet Kasabaqi Arsim Dedinca Jahja Beqiri Sylejman
AUK Yearbook 2014
It all starts here... 23
FRESHMAN
CLASS OF 2017 24
AUK Yearbook 2014
25
FRESHMAN 26
AGURONSALIHU
ALBANKRASNIQI
ALBANBESELICA
ALBATRIMDEMIRI
ALKETABUCAJ
ALMAQERIMI
ALMARINADEMI
ANESAUKA
ANISAZOGAJ
AUK Yearbook 2014
APOITAREXHEPI
ARBIASLLOLLUNI
ARDIANOROSHI
ARLINDHALITI
ARMENDADEMAJ
ARTRAIFI
ARTARRUSTEMI
ARTAVOKSHI
ARTAHAZIRI
27
FRESHMAN 28
ARTRINBAJRAMI
ASLLANBERISHA
BAJRAMGECI
BARDHAQOLLAKU
BARDHYLDUGOLLI
BASHKIMGASHI
BEATRIZFERNANDEZ LORA
BESIANAKAJTAZI
BLENDDUBOVA
AUK Yearbook 2014
BLENDINAZIFI
BLERIMZENUNI
BONARTAJVAZI
DAFINABERISHA
DEARODIQI
DELVINABLAKCORI
DIARKABASHI
DIELLBEHRA
DILLONABERJANI
29
FRESHMAN 30
DORAMUSA
DRENKRASNIQI
DRENUSHABERISHA
DRILONBRAHIMI
DRITONMEHMETI
DRITONHYSENI
EMSIDAMETI
ENDRITMEHMETI
ENKELAZENELI
AUK Yearbook 2014
ERDONITSAQIPI
ERVINAHAKAJ
FATLINDARRUSTEMAJ
FIONAQERKINI
FJORALBAKRAPI
FLAKRONJUSAJ
FORTESAKARAMETI
HANATAHIRI
HANABACAJ
31
FRESHMAN 32
JOVANZIVKOVIC
KALTRINEMIFTARI
KASTRIOTXHEMAJLI
KRESHNIKDAKAJ
KUSHTRIMGJOSHAJ
LEANAREXHEPI
LEARTGJUKA
LEARTALICKAJ
LORENASEKIRAQA
AUK Yearbook 2014
LORIKFAZLIJA
MIRLINDARRUSTEMAJ
NAZIFFAZLIU
NISAGASHI
NOLGJERGJAJ
ORGESTLOCI
ORIONKRASNIQI
PETRITDESHISHKU
RAMAZANHASANI
33
FRESHMAN 34
REJHANEARIFI
RINAGJIKOLLI
RINORMUSTAFA
RITAVULA
RITANITAJ
RITAQARROLLI
ROBERTEJUPI
ROBERTNIKAJ
RONIBREZNICA
AUK Yearbook 2014
RONITAKRASNIQI
RREZARTAKARAVIDAJ
SHPENDKUQI
SHPETIMSOKOLI
SHPRESAFRROKAJ
VALDRINZEQIRI
VANESAGASHI
VANESASHALAJ
VENESAHUMOLLI
35
FRESHMAN
VENTONHYSKA
VERONSELMANI
VESABASHOTA
ViganTigani
YLLSHAHINI
YLLLIMANI
YVESAJUSAJ
36
Not Pictured KRASNIQI ALBAN REXHEPI ALBERT SVARKAJ ALBION HAXHIU ANDI MORINA ANITA REXHEPI APOITA IMERI ARBIN BERISHA ARDIAN BAJRALIU ARDIANA FERATI ARGJENDA LAJKA ARIJETA BERISHA ASLLAN ZEQIRAJ AVNI GASHI BASHKIM ZBOGAR BENJAMIN DAKU BRIKENA BERISHA DAFINA SELIMI DENIS XHEKA DENIZ KABASHI DIAR MORINA DITA GJIKOLLI DONARD KRASNIQI DREN
BERISHA DRENUSHA DERGUTI DRILON HASANI DRILON MEHMETI DRITON FETIJA EDON MEHMETI ENDRIT ZYMBERI ENDRIT RRAHMANI ERONA CERKINI FJONDI JUSAJ FLAKRON ELEZAJ GENC XHARAVINA GENTI AVDIU GEZIM KASAPOLLI IMRIT KARAVIDAJ JEHONA KARAVIDAJ JEHONA BINAKU KUSHTRIM WETZEL LAUREN REXHEPI LEANA GJUKA LEART DUBOVA LEONARD AGAI LINDA GJONBALAJ LISA
AUK Yearbook 2014
PISHTARI MEGI UKA MIRELA GASHI NISA KRASNIQI ORION HASANI RAMAZAN ULAJ REA SELIMI RINA LLESHI RINETA ZEKA RIOLA KRASNIQI RONITA KARAVIDAJ RREZARTA ISMAJLI RRON LUTFIU SARANDA DRAGUSHA SHKELZEN HALITAJ SYTRIM SALIHU TAULANT GECAJ TIME SUMA UVEJS GASHI VALMIR TIGANI VIGAN MUSAJ VILSON MORINA YLL JUSAJ YVESA
37
SOPHOMORE
CLASS OF 2016 38
AUK Yearbook 2014
39
SOPHOMORE
ABDURRAHMANSHABANI
ADRIANAKASTRATI
AGNESAKUQI
ANILABEHRAMAJ
ANITASELMANI
ARBIXHIHA
ARBISAMUSLIU
ARBNORHASANAJ
ARBNORQERIMAJ
40
AUK Yearbook 2014
ARDITACANHASI
ARIANABEQIRI
ARLINDLEPAJA
ARRITASUHODOLLI
ARTAVOKSHI
ARTAHAZIRI
BEGATIMBERISHA
BESAGJONBALAJ
BESFORTHYSENAJ
41
SOPHOMORE 42
BESNIKVITAKU
BLERINAVUNIQI
BLERINAHASANI
BLERTAAVDIU
DAORSSAHATCIU
DEBORAFONA
DIELLZALAHU
DILLONBERJANI
DIORHALILI
AUK Yearbook 2014
DORUNTINAHAMZA
DRENUSHEISUFI
DRILONHASANI
DURIMSHALA
EDINKABASHI
EGZONGASHI
ELIRAHASHANI
EMIRAGASHI
ENEIDAREQICA
43
SOPHOMORE 44
ENGJELLUSHELATIFI
ENGJISUSURI
ERINDAHAZIRI
ERMALMUSLIU
ERMELINDAHAZIRI
ETNIKBLAKAJ
ETRITHAXHIU
EVLINAKABASHI
FLAMURBREZNICA
AUK Yearbook 2014
GASPERKOMANI
GAZMENDZYLFIU
GETOARAGUSHI
GRANITKRASNIQI
GURIPANDURI
HANAKAJDOMCAJ
HAXHIPISTA
ILIRIBRAHIMI
ILIREGASHI
45
SOPHOMORE 46
ILIRIANAHALILI
IMRITKASAPOLLI
JETASTATOVCI
JETALOSHAJ
KUSHTRIMCERNOBREGU
KUSHTRIMIMERAJ
LAURETAJUSAJ
LEONIDADUSHI
LEURETALUMI
AUK Yearbook 2014
LIRIDONGIGOLLAJ
MARIGONABEQIRI
MARIGONASHABANI
MARIGONABEQIRI
MEMEDALISHABANI
MILOTBURANI
NERMINAROGGOW
NIDAKRASNIQI
NIDAPASULI
47
SOPHOMORE 48
NITADUBOVCI
NORARUGOVA
PREMTIMDERVISHAJ
RAMADANIBRAHIMI
RINAHAPCIU
ROBERTSHALA
SARANDALUTFIU
SHKELQIMSELMANI
SHPATDUSHI
AUK Yearbook 2014
SIHANABINA
TARINARUGOVA
TAULANTSALIHU
TRINGAKRASNIQI
VALDRINVISOKA
VALENTINAALIJEVIC
VALENTINADAKU
VALMIRGASHI
VESADEVA
49
SOPHOMORE
VISARMARKI
ZGJIMGERXHALIU
50
YLLMORINA
ZANAALIU
Not Pictured IDRIZAJ ADEA ZHUGOLLI AGNESA BESIMI ALBA OSMANI ALBINA GASHI ANIL GASHI ANITA MULOLLI ARBENIT MIFTARI ARDIT SELMANI ARTA AHMETI ARTIN BERJANI BAN BERISHA BEGATIM FAZLIU BEHAR KURTESHI BESFORT MORINA CLIRIM BICAJ DEA MEHMETI DIJAR MUCOLLI DONIKA BERISHA DRITON BEQIRI EDINA
SPAHIU EDONA JANUZI ENGJELLUSHE ABAZI ERAND WETZEL ETHAN THACI EUGEN ADEMI FATLUM GASHI FJOLLA UKA FJOLLA ALIU FLORINA AJETI GALDIM MAKSUTI GAMZA IMERI GAZMEND SHEHU GEMB GASHI GENT TOCI ILIR KUKAJ ILIRIJANA HALITI KEMAJL BEQIRAJ KORAB DAKAJ KRENAR MUJOTA LABEAT
AUK Yearbook 2014
BERISHA LEKE RAMA LIRIDON TAHIRI LORIKA BEQIRI LYRA UJKANI MARIGONA BEGOLLI MERGIM IBRAHIMI MERGIME VESELAJ NDERIM LOXHA PETRIT IDRIZI RILIND ZHUGOLLI RINA SEJDIU RINOR DOBRUNAJ RREZARTA NAMLEGJIU SHEND IBRANI SHPAT ZEKA SKENDER MUSTAFA URTAN EJUPI VLORA MZIU XHEMAJL KUKALAJ ZYMER
51
JUNIOR
CLASS OF 2015 52
AUK Yearbook 2014
53
JUNIOR 54
ADONISGASHI
ALBANHAJRIZI
ALBIANAMURTEZI
ALBIONAPECI
ALTINDRESHAJ
ANILAQEHAJA
ANYLABEQA
ARBENITAGASHI
ARBIASGJOSHI
AUK Yearbook 2014
ArdianBerisha
ARDIANASEJFIA
ARDITAVISOKA
ARJETEBUZA
ARLINDBAJRAMI
ARLINDALLUMNICA
ARTJASHARI
ARTANMUSTAFA
ATDHECEKU
55
JUNIOR 56
BESARTPACOLLI
BESMIRKRASNIQI
BESMIRKRAPI
BESNIKVLLASALIU
BINASAUKAJ
BLENDHYSENI
BLENDRITELEZAJ
BLERINASMANI
BLERTAGREICEVCI
AUK Yearbook 2014
BLETAPOLLOSHKA
BLINBEQIRI
BLINERASHALA
BLINERALECI
BRIKENAREXHAJ
BUJARMAXHUNI
BUTRINTBUJUPI
DAFINAKRASNIQI
DAFINANEZIRI
57
JUNIOR 58
DARDANEGJOTA
DEATAHIRI
DINAVLLASALIU
DRENKOLICA
DRIANTHOTI
DUKAGJINRAMOSAJ
EDISONJAKURTI
ENDRINERAFUNA
ENDRITGASHI
AUK Yearbook 2014
ERLETASHALA
ERZAMEKULI
FITIMHOXHA
FJOLLADUBOVCI
FJOLLAABDULLAHU
FJOLLABAJRAKTARI
FLORENTSADIKU
FLORENTAMAHMUTI
FLORINAPNISHI
59
JUNIOR 60
FLORINALUSHAKU
GENTZYLFIJAJ
GENTAAGAJ
GENTIQAFLESHI
GENTIKOQINAJ
GENTIANAGOLA
GEZIMBUDECI
GRANITLAJQI
GRESASTATOVCI
AUK Yearbook 2014
ISMAILSEKIRAQA
JETAKRASNIQI
JETAALIU
JONMULLIQI
KALTRINAARIFI
KOSOVARELLADROVCI
KRENAREGJIKOLLI
KUSHTRIMSPAHIU
LEONORACERRETI
61
JUNIOR 62
LINDASHUKU
LIRIEFENDIU
LIRIDONGASHI
LOREDANEMINI
LUIZAHOXHAJ
LULEBAHTIRI
LUMBARDHZAGRAGJA
MARGARITAGJOCAJ
MIMOZEVELIU
AUK Yearbook 2014
NDERIMGERGURI
NITAPREKAZI
NOLMARKAJ
REXHEPHALITI
RINALLUKA
RINORKASTRATI
RRONULAJ
SABRIAZEMI
SAMETMALOKU
63
JUNIOR 64
SELIMELOXHA
SHPENDHAJDINI
SHPETIMUJKANI
SIHANARANDOBRAVA
SOVRANBERISHA
VALMIRMehmeti
VENERAKUQI
VERANDAHASANI
VESAHYSENI
AUK Yearbook 2014
ViganDisha
VIOLETADINAJ
XHEVAHIRHASANAJ
65
JUNIOR
Not Pictured SHALA ALBERTA BASHA ALBULENA TOPKO ANESA ELMAZI ARDITA JASHARI ARMEND DRESHAJ ARSIM ISLAMI ARTA DOCI ASTIA LLUKA ATDHE VISOKA BERNA MIFTARI DRENUSHA NALLBANI DRILON JAKUPI DRITERO KIKA EDON HALILAJ FATBARDHA ZARIQI FILLORETA ALIU FISNIK KACANIKU FJOLLA
66
GASHI GERSI ADEMI GRANIT REXHEPI GRESA AZIRI IDEA TEMAJ KALTRINA HOTI LEUTRIM BALIDEMIC LINDA PACOLLI LINDA HOXHA LUM PLLANA MIMOZA KRISTIANA QUNI MUSLIU RRONA FERATI TRIUMF ZUQAKU VALDRIN DINARAMA VESA JASHARI VISAR UKA YLLI
...and the best is last!
SENIOR
CLASS OF 2014 68
AUK Yearbook 2014
69
SENIOR 70
ADEAKELMENDI Economics and Statistics Management
ALBINAMURTURI Management Public Policy
ALBINAIBRAHIMI Management Public Policy
ANDHOXHA Management Information Technology
ANDADIKA Public Policy Management
ANDINAVLLAHIU Public Policy Management
AUK Yearbook 2014
ANILAGACAFERI Management Economics and Statistic
ANISABINA Economics and Statistics Public Policy
ARIFHOTI Economics and Statistic Management
ARIONRIZAJ Management Media & Graphics Communication
ARLINDAHAJDARI Management Economics and Statistic
BARDHHOXHA Management Media & Graphics Communication
71
SENIOR 72
BEHARMUSTAFA Economics and Statistic Management
BESAISTREFI Management Media & Graphics Communication
BESARTALSHIQI Management Economics and Statistic
BESEHOXHA Economics and Statistics Management
BESFORTKRUMA Management Public Policy
BESIMSTUBLLA Economics and Statistics Management
AUK Yearbook 2014
BLERIMDERMAKU Management Public Policy
BLERINAMURTEZI Management Economics and Statistic
DAFINAARIFI Management Economics and Statistic
DARDANHAJRIZI Management Media & Graphics Communication
DENIZAMULAJ Public Policy Economics and Statistic
DHJETOROSMANI Economics and Statistic Management
73
SENIOR DONIKAMACASTENA Economics and Statistics Management
DONIKAGASHI Management Economics and Statistic
DONIKACAMI Economics and Statistics Management
DONJETAOSMANI Management Media & Graphics Communication
DOROTEASAHATCIU Public Policy Management
DRENKAJDOMCAJ Public Policy Media & Graphics Communication
74
AUK Yearbook 2014
EGZONSHKULIQI Management Economics and Statistic
EGZONAJASHANICA Management Economics and Statistic
EMARRACI Economics and Statistics Management
ENDRINABERISHA Economics and Statistics Management
ERINACANHASI Management Economics and Statistic
ERMIRABIRINXHIKU Management Economics and Statistic
75
SENIOR 76
FIONAPODRIMAJ Public Policy Management
FISNIKDESHISHKU Information Technology Media & Graphics Communication
FITIMRAMA Economics and Statistics Management
FITONKASTRATI Management Public Policy
FJOLLAGACAFERI Economics and Statistics Management
FJOLLABUZA Management Economics and Statistic
AUK Yearbook 2014
FJOLLAKONDIROLLI Economics and Statistics Public Policy
FJOLLANUQI Management Public Policy
FJOLLEMETAJ Public Policy Management
FLAKAKRYEZIU Economics and Statistics Management
FLOVIJANAMORINA Public Policy Management
GEMZABURGIJA Public Policy Economics and Statistic
77
SENIOR 78
GENTFETAHAJ Management Public Policy
GENTAJUSUFI Management Media & Graphics Communication
GENTRITIDRIZI Management Information Technology
GETOARKRASNIQI Management Economics and Statistic
GONETAKAJTAZI Economics and Statistics Management
GRAMOSPOTERI Economics and Statistic Management
AUK Yearbook 2014
GRESAZEKAJ Public Policy Management
GURAKUQHARADINAJ Media & Graphics Communication Information Technology
HENORDESHISHKU Management Media & Graphics Communication
HEROLINDAZENUNI Economics and Statistics Management
ILIRJANAMUSAJ Management Public Policy
ISMAILHOXHA Public Policy Management
79
SENIOR 80
JETESPAHIU Economics and Statistics Management
JONRUGOVA Management Public Policy
KALTRINASULEJMANI Management Public Policy
KRESHNIKHAXHIU Economics and Statistics Management
KUSHTRIMHYSENAJ Management Media & Graphics Communication
KUSHTRIMAVDIU Economics and Statistics Management
AUK Yearbook 2014
LEARTGASHI Management Public Policy
LEONARDNIKACI Management Economics and Statistics
LIRIDONIMERI Management Economics and Statistic
LIRIDONSAHITI Economics and Statistics Management
LOREZQEHAJA Economics and Statistics Management
LUIZASEKIRAQA Public Policy Management
81
SENIOR LURNIBUCINCA Management Media & Graphics Communication
MENTORVOGLIQI Economics and Statistics Management
MERITONQERIMI Management Economics and Statistic
MIMOZASELMANI Economics and Statistics Management
NJOMZASALIHU Media & Graphics Communication Management
NORAARIFI Economics and Statistics Management
82
AUK Yearbook 2014
NORIKRIZA Management Public Policy
QENDRIMKASTRATI Media & Graphics Communication Information Technology
QENDRIMDUBOVA Economics and Statistics Management
REAKRYEZIU Public Policy Management
RIFATCITAKU Economics and Statistics Management
RINAVUCITERNA Public Policy Management
83
SENIOR RINORMURTURI Management Media & Graphics Communication
ROBERTBERANI Management Information Technology
RREZEBLAKQORI Management Media & Graphics Communication
RRONATARANESHI Management Economics and Statistic
SEHAREMALIQI Management Public Policy
SEZGINAVCI Information Technology Media & Graphics Communication
84
AUK Yearbook 2014
SHENDMULLIQI Information Technology Management
SHKELQIMHAXHIU Information Technology Media & Graphics Communication
SHKELQIMGERXHALIU Management Information Technology
VALAZULFIU Management Media & Graphics Communication
VALBONAHOTI Management Public Policy
VALONHASANAJ Economics and Statistics Management
85
SENIOR 86
VALONBEQAJ Management Economics and Statistics
VANESAREXHEPI Public Policy Management
VISARXHAMBAZI Management Public Policy
VULLNETGASHI Management Information Technology
YLBERKAJTAZI Management Public Policy
ZANAIDRIZI Economics and Statistics Public Policy
Not Pictured Bardha Premton
AUK Yearbook 2014
Islami Xhafa
IT’S 3AM... success is only achieved by hardwork
87
SG 2014 Leaders: President: Rinor Kastrati Vice-President: Blendrit Elezaj Secretary: Donika Cami Treasurer: Anita Selmani
88
A.U.K Student Government 2013/2014 - Aukademia
W
e are very confident in believing that, through building upon the experiences and inspiration coming from past A.U.K Student Governments, our team has proven itself to be the most successful one in the organization’s history. Despite the countless activities that we have conducted, however, it is not by the number or the quality of them that we measure success. They have never been our goal. Instead, they have been a means to achieve something much bigger; something that cannot be seen, touched, or measured; something that is so small yet so powerful and eternal. We have merely transmitted an idea, a oneyear journey of hope. We have shown to our fellow students that you can trust your vote to people who in turn will pay it back with sweat, exhausting intellectual effort, sacrifice, and honor, in ways their minds could not comprehend. They can forget about the activities, projects, and the unparalleled effort that we have put, and we do not intend to remind them in here or somewhere else about it. But they can never forget how we have made them feel; they can never forget the feeling of inspiration and hope that we, through our humble voluntarism, have generated for them as a people of this nation. That is what matters to us; nothing else.
89
90
O
n May 28th 2014 another seven Kosovo’s officers graduated on one of the finest universities in Republic of Kosovo. Besfort Kruma, Fiton Kastarati, Gentrit Idrizi, Gurakuq Haradinaj, Ismail Hoxha, Kreshnik Haxhiu and Qendrim Kastrati are the names of those young cadets that had the greatest opportunity to be part of Kosovo Security Force Cadets Corp as well as students of the American University in Kosovo. Challenges and difficulties followed us in every second of our lives. It was hard to study while exercising to maintain soldier’s physical stamina. These four years passed but great memories remain. I remember the first day in AUK, it was the orientation day. For most of the freshmen the uniform of cadets was unknown and the curiosity was high. Everyone who met us for the first time asked what we were and what we do. The answer was the same to all; we are cadets and we do stuff as in the movies but never neglected the fact that we train to serve our country. That part of answer “we train to serve our country” was what determined who we were to them. Days went on and friendships generated between us and other students. I still remember how every day before classes I met my friends for a coffee in the student’s canteen and had to answer almost same questions. When did you wake up this morning? They knew that we wake up early and in some way they felt pity and envied us for being that capable. Considering the fact that we lived in a military base, going every day to AUK help us maintain the balance between military and civilian life. It was a pleasure to be with those students every day and one thing is sure they made the difference for us.
91
AUK CLUBS 92
Charity Club Dance Club Literature Club Management Club Media Club MUN Club
A
UK Charity Club, as a student organization within the American University in Kosovo, was established and lead by AUK students since February 4, 2010.
The mission of AUK Charity Club is to serve the community in Kosovo through voluntary services and awareness campaigns, which aim to help poor families, high school students, elders, people with disabilities, orphans, and minorities in Kosovo. The vision of A.U.K. Charity Club is to serve the community in Kosovo. Through charity and community service projects the club wants to raise awareness of community service and to show that we, as A.U.K. students and young professionals, care about the community. There are currently 98 members in the club who all work voluntarily towards positive change in Kosovar community. Since its establishment the club has successfully completed different projects most of which have already become a tradition for the club. The first activity for this year was on September on honor of “Food International Day.” On this occasion, activists from the club and the whole A.U.K. community purchased food on volunteer basis and then donated to poor families in Prishtina. On October volunteers have helped NGO “Mother Teresa” Society in Kosovo and “Hope and Aid Direct” from UK to distribute food and clothes to poor families throughout Kosovo. The following activity was the “Let’s go pink” campaign during October with the aim of educating people about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. On this occasion club organized the first information session to be held in AUK regarding the breast cancer and importance of early detection. The session was open to public and it welcomed more than 110 participants coming from different NGOs, universities and high schools. On November, volunteers helped in painting the center of children with disabilities “Mother Teresa” in Mitrovica so the students can have a more enjoyable learning environment.
94 94
Other activities that club implemented this academic year are: Second hand clothes collection, World Aids Day, New Year celebration with children with Autism, Leukemia, orphans in SOS, persons with Down syndrome and elderly in the retirement home, World Braille Day, World Kidney Day, World Parkinson Day, World Book Day, Earth Day, Blood donation day etc. In the club we have a saying, “There’s nothing greater than the heart of a volunteer”. This is exactly what our volunteers have – a great heart.
Charity 2014 Members: Jete Aliu & Valbona Hoti –Co-Chairs Endrina Berisha – Secretary Bleta Poloshka – Treasure Anita Morina –Freshman Representative Besa Gjonbalaj- Sophomore Representative
Sihana Randobrava- Junior representative Jeta Spahiu – Senior Representative Mrika Aliu- Club Adviser Venera Demukaj - Faculty Adviser
Charity Club
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UK Dance Club is an independent student club within American University in Kosovo which was established and managed by AUK students since September, 2013.
The Dance Club’s mission is teaching the AUK community a variety of Latin/rhythm and traditional dances, with the help of AUK students and professional guest instructors. During the academic year 2013/14, the club was able to familiarize and advance the art of dancing within the AUK community by providing free dancing lessons for students, staff, and faculty every other week. The dancing lessons were offered for beginners as well as for those who just desired to continue their dancing skills. During the Spring Fest week, the dancing members for the first time in AUK campus prepared and performed a traditional Albanian dance to embody the Albanian dancing culture to the AUK’s international community.
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Dance 2014 Leaders: Leadership President – Valbona Hoti Vice President – Bese Hoxha Secretary – Endrina Berisha Treasurer – Jete Spahiu
Dance Club
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conomists’ Club is one of the biggest clubs in A.U.K. with members as well as with academic activities that it organizes each year. Since its formation, the goal of Economists’ Club was not only to assist students on their studies but also go beyond and challenge students with real world economic issues. In the past, Economists’ Club has invited many guest speaker economists from inside and outside the country. Some of our speakers were: former Governor of the Central Bank Mr. Gani Gërguri, the current Governor and former Finance Minister Mr. Bedri Hamza, the current Minister of Finance Mr. Besim Beqaj, the representative of International Monetary Fund Ms. Andrea Schaechter etc. It has also held tutorials, sent Weekly Journals, organized the Student Economic Forum, organized trips in Kosovo and abroad etc. This year, we have continued our tradition of holding tutorials in various economic subjects, hosted guest speakers from many fields, provided the academic Weekly Journal, and organized the second Student Economic Forum. We continued organizing tutorials in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Monetary Policy, Public Finance, Labor Economics, etc., and added up a new activity: The Knowledge Quiz in Economics. So let us tell you what we did in detail: A project that we have continuously worked on this year has been the Weekly Journal. Every week, members of the club prepared a brief summary about the most important news of the week and sent it out to students. This enabled A.U.K. students and alumni to stay updated with the economic news around the world with very little time. An event that went beyond A.U.K. boarders was the Student Economic Forum. In this forum, the best economic students from four universities in Kosovo were invited to identify, present, and discuss the main economic issues that Kosovo faces. Students not only identified and presented economic issues but also provided various reformist policies for Kosovo’s problems. One major element of this forum was the student discussions in regard to the Kosovo-related economic issues. This year Economists’ Club added another event which is The Knowledge Quiz in Economics. This quiz aimed to identify the bravest and smartest economics students who competed for the first price in groups of three. Not only did we get to announce the best students in economics but we also got to have a very enjoyable experience thanks to Prof. Besnik Bislimi who is also our club advisor. We’ve also organized trips in Bukovik and Boge where we’ve offered our members and the entire A.U.K. community the chance to socialize and have fun. In the end, we encourage all of you who are not part of the Economists’ Club yet to become members and benefit from the great opportunities that the club offers as well as contribute with your ideas towards a better and stronger club with even more relevant activities. Sincerely, Economists’ Club Board
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Economists 2014 Leaders: President: Valon Beqaj Vice President: Genta Agaj Secretary: Blend Hyseni Treasurer: Anila Qehaja
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UK Literature Club is made of students who are interested in reading and are talented in writing. They present reviews of books that may invoke interest among other students as well as recommend good books to be procured by the college library. The activities of this club also involve the creation of written materials in various forms such as short stories, serial stories, poetry, essays, articles, etc. We try to invoke interest in writing among other students by holding competitions and by displaying work produced by the students. We can also devise ways and means by which the reading habit Activities can be improved among the students. We help The success of club appeared since its first days of creation. improving critical thinking too. This club was Our first successful project was a book promotion, where we initiated from a student who loves literature organized the book promotion of one of A.U.K. students, who is a and is a talented writer. She came up with young, talented writer and wrote her second book. We continued our the idea of a literature club and discussed it activities with “Poetry Time”, where students had the chance to expose their with her English professor, who then liked own poems and listen to new and lovely poems offered by their colleagues. At the idea and helped her to establish it. the same time they also enjoyed delicious cookies and coffees. We did not stop here. We also organized a short story competition, in order to a give a chance Even though that this club was initiated to talented student to prove themselves. We offered great prizes to winners of from a single student, now it has many competition. Afterward we continued with the “Poem of the week”, where every active members who contribute with week we launched a new poem and place it on the front desk, so that everyone their ideas and efforts, and make club could take a poem, read and enjoy it. International Book Day was another project function in the best way possible. that was realized on the partnership with Charity club. “Dear Syria” is another great project. In this project students were asked to write letters to the young Syrian refugees and show their support and prosperity to them. Members of literature club have often discussions with their colleagues on the books that they read, and share their experiences. The other thing is that the members also decide collectively to read the same book, and then they simply gather together drink coffee and share their thoughts about the book. Literature club is generally made of people who loves literature, and want to share their experiences, readings and thoughts with others, who have the same interest.
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Literature 2014 Leaders: President: Anesa Topko Vice-president: Linda Pacolli Secretary: Erleta Shala Secretary assistance: Shpresa Frokaj Treasurer: Rina Lluka
Literature Club
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he Management Club was founded in September 2012, the founders are: David Wetzel, Mimoza Selmani and Goneta Kajtazi. This club has a joint leadership, who take equal responsibility in the administration of the club. The leaders are Goneta Kajtazi, and Mimoza Selmani. David Wetzel is the Management Club’s Supervisor. The Management Club consists of regular members who have the right to participate in the internal club meetings and have the right to vote in the decisionmaking processes. New Members are accepted during the whole academic year. Currently the Management Club has 87 members. The purpose of this club is to engage students in lectures, company visits, tutorials, workshops, company counseling and other activities related to the Management field of study to enhance the students’ practical knowledge outside the class and professionalism on the field. As we created this club in the past academic year, so far we have managed to organize visits to different companies in Kosovo such as ELKOS Company, Hotel Dukagjini, Birra Peja, Printing House Dukagjini, Fruitomania, StoneCastle and Trepharm where students were able to see the production process and the way that these companies are run. In addition, we have made agreements with some of these companies so that members of our club start counseling these companies from the next academic year in different fields of management. The Management Club is also committed to offer tutoring in courses such as Statistics, Math, Lean and Six Sigma, and Financial and Managerial Accounting.
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We believe that by being part of our club students are actively engaged to learn more about Business and Management and also have the chance to create networks by meeting with existing companies around Kosovo.
Management Club
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he A.U.K. Media Club is known for its ability to produce creative work that showcases the different talents that exist at A.U.K. The club came together in September of 2013 and since then has contributed to making the A.U.K. experience a memorable one. From hosting a Halloween Movie Night to creating a movie of its own (to be broadcasted on RTK,) the club has been very successful. In addition to all of this, the club has been working diligently on the yearbook. The Media Club gives students who are completing their concentration in Media (or students that enjoy working with media tools) a chance to demonstrate what they have learned from their courses, as well as expand their knowledge and love for social media and the tools that professional designers around the world have access to. All projects that are undertaken by the Media Club are student-driven. What does this mean you ask? It means that every event that is organized by the Media Club is organized by students— and is assisted by professors, faculty members, and staff at the A.U.K. However, the majority of the work is done by club members. Pretty impressive, right? Members of the club are dedicated to their work and feel the need to contribute wherever they are needed. You can think of members of the Media Club as being superheroes of our university—ensuring that every single event that takes place at the A.U.K. is fun and entertaining. Just to give you an idea of what the club has accomplished this year—here are all of the projects that were undertaken and successfully completed throughout the year:
October 31, 2013- Halloween Movie Night November 28, 2013- Independence Day of Albania Clip A.U.K Movie (Plagiarism) & Last this AMAZING Yearbook 2014
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Media 2014 Leaders: President: Njomza Salihu Vice-President: Begatim Berisha Secretary: Shpresa Frrokaj Treasurer: Valbona Hoti
Media Club
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odel United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda. The participants role-play as diplomats representing a nation or NGO in a simulated session of an organ (committee) of the United Nations, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems.
The A.U.K. Model United Nations Club was formally established in 2012 by A.U.K. students. The A.U.K. MUN operates based on its framework and its MUN board within the structure of the A.U.K. Student Government. It brings together A.U.K. students on extracurricular bases who share a common interest in discussing and debating on current issues. Currently, the club consists of 16 delegates and other active club members. The A.U.K. MUN Clubs future aspirations is to double the number of members so that the competitiveness of our distinguished delegates is increased, in hopes to effectively bring together an honorable delegation to represent academically A.U.K. and Kosovo worldwide. This year, MUN delegates attended two conferences. Harvard National Model United Nations which place in Boston, Massachusetts in February 13-16, 2014 and World Model United Nations which took place in Brussels, Belgium in Match 17-21, 2014.
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Faculty Advisor - Mentor Nimani President - Fjolla Kondirolli Vice President - Zana Idrizi Secretary - Anila Qehaja Treasurer - Jon Mulliqi
MUN 2014 Delegates: Adriana Sejfia Albina Ibrahimi Anila Qehaja Anyla Beqa Daors Sahatciu
Fjolla Kacaniku Fjolla Kondirolli Gemza Burgija Getoar Krasniqi Jon Mulliqi
Linda Shuku Mimoza Selmani Nderim Gerguri Nita Prekazi Visar Xhambazi Zana Idrizi
MUN Club
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he Music Club at the A.U.K was created at the beginning of the academic year in 2012-2013. The mission of the Music club was to give students the opportunity to exercise their musical talents with other students at the A.U.K. We host different concerts and other musical events throughout the year, coordinating with other clubs to ensure that music club members are as active as possible. The club also provides beginner lessons to those who are interested in learning the guitar. Overall, it is a great experience for students, as they can work together in creating music while improving their own skills and most importantly, having fun! The A.U.K Music Club has been active for two years now and has grown substantially through its activities. Compared to last year, the Music Club has matured quite a bit, allowing students to bring in more genres of music and help each other understand the different styles of music. This year, A.U.K’s freshmen had the biggest impact on the Music Club by enlightening its members with “Hip Hop” culture. The Music Club never had Hip Hop artists as members, but this year it did, and they helped fill in the small “gaps” to complete this family of passionate musicians. Though we struggled throughout the year, balancing practice with our studies, we managed to pull off many killer performances. We played for the 28th of November (Flag Day) and for the first time, experienced real school pride with our fellow classmates as they supported us during our debut. Our next big performance came during the TEDxAUK event on March 28th. Unfortunately, only three members could play during this event and were limited to one song. Nonetheless, we thought we had a great performance, and based on feedback from our colleagues, you thought so too! Our final major performance has yet to come, but it will be during the Spring Fest on May 22nd. We hope that everyone will enjoy the songs that we have chosen for this event and sincerely hope that you have enjoyed our company thus far. We would like to take this moment to thank all of you that supported us throughout the year as well as Professor Julia Norrgard for helping Music Club plan its objectives for the year. Lastly, we wish you all an amazing summer and hope to see more members join the Music Club in the coming years!
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Music 2014 Leaders: Alban Hajrizi - President Engji Susuri - Vice President Dardan Hajrizi - Secretary Nol Markaj - Treasurer
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