Former Staffordshire University graduate becomes Kosovo's new Prime Minister

Professor Avdullah Hoti was voted in as Prime Minister by the Kosovo Assembley at the start of June, following a vote of no confidence in the previous coalition Government.

Avdullah completed his MSc in Economics for Business Analysis at Staffordshire University in 2002, followed by a PhD in Economics, which focused on Kosovo's labour market, in 2007. After returning to Kosovo he worked at the University of Prishtina while embracing political activity.

On his way to his current post, Avdullah was Deputy Mayor or Prishtina, Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister.

He said: "My experience at Staffordshire University, both during master and PhD studies as well as during a number of study visits, has been a life-changing experience.

"I am indebted to all my professors and research colleagues, as well as the supporting staff of the University Library and other research facilities, for their encouragement and support throughout my studies during the years 2001 to 2007.”

Avdullah also received a scholarship during his studies in Stoke, jointly funded by the Open Society Foundation and Staffordshire University.

Conflict

Iraj Hashi, Emeritus Professor of Economics, who taught Avdullah said: “Avdullah was a hard-working research student, very organised, systematic and determined.

“He has the important qualities that a Prime Minister needs – intelligent, very hard working, knowledgeable, down to earth and with an ear to the ground.

"But now he faces the triple challenges of dealing with the impact of Covid-19; restarting the economy and resuming negotiations with Serbia to reach a mutual agreement to end centuries of ethnic conflict.”

Since being in the post, Prime Minister Hoti has met with foreign ambassadors from several European countries as well as the USA.

He has said that the new Government will protect Kosovo’s territorial integrity and respond to the shock to the economy by establishing a fund to cope with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a Tweet, Avdullah posted: “The new Gov of Kosovo will coordinate with Kosovo's partners, removing obstacles to dialogue. Only this way do we advance Kosovo's position in the international arena and remove from Serbia the alibi to delay the agreement on mutual recognition.”