The Rector of the University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”, Tonin Gjuraj, through a letter addressed to the Ministry of Education, has irrevocably resigned from his position.
In his letter, Gjuraj has raised strong accusations against the University’s Board of Administration for interventions that, according to him, violate university autonomy and contradict the law on higher education in the country.
He further emphasizes that he has requested that the University of Shkodra stay away from any political influence, seeking support and not the creation of artificial barriers.
“This approach, apparently, did not find the proper understanding and, if the exercise of this function is accompanied by interventions that violate institutional autonomy, then I do not hesitate to leave my resignation on the table and return to academic life as a professor. The Rector is temporary, the Board of Administration (BA) is temporary, but the University of Shkodra ‘Luigj Gurakuqi’ is and remains permanent.
“The BA’s decision to appoint the administrator is, in my opinion, unacceptable and such a position, as is known, I have made public. But this is further deepened when, without legal basis, in a unilateral and discriminatory manner in relation to other academic and administrative staff, this same Board takes the decision to postpone the retirement age,” he emphasizes in his letter.
He also criticizes the decision to postpone the retirement age for administrator Mark Molla, with whom he has had constant clashes, describing it as biased and discriminatory.
Furthermore, the outgoing rector has made strong accusations against the Board for other legal violations, including paying royalties for projects preferentially and without regular institutional decision-making.
Regarding Gjuraj’s resignation, SP MP Marjana Koçeku has also reacted, considering it a non-positive development for the University of Shkodra.
“At a time when universities need personalities with integrity, vision and courage, his departure can be considered a bad development. It is not for me to comment on the reasons for this decision. But it is for me to express the highest respect for a professor who has served education, Shkodra and students with seriousness and dedication. This decision needs institutional reflection by the university, more than ever,” Koçeku writes on Facebook.
Knees:
Dear Madam Minister,
I am writing to you to reaffirm a fundamental principle that guides the way I understand and exercise the task entrusted to me, as well as the institutional responsibility that flows from it. This principle must remain clear and unchanging in every circumstance related to the functioning and management of the university.
The task of rector of the University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” was entrusted to me through a process of competition and academic voting. The mandate originates from the university community and, on this basis of legitimacy, the management of this public institution is supported.
The candidacy for this position was not a step to conclude a personal career, already long consolidated in other institutions of higher education and diplomacy. On the contrary, the acceptance of this function is linked to the conviction that the University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” deserves a genuine process of institutional transformation, based on transparency, public accountability and respect for university autonomy, in accordance with the important role that this institution occupies in the higher education system in Albania.
The duty of the rector is neither a personal mission nor a mechanism of imposition, but an institutional function, which requires partnership and support for strengthening academic quality, improving infrastructural conditions and affirming the university in its rightful role in the public life and intellectual development of the city of Shkodra and beyond. This is a responsibility, honor and obligation to the tradition of this institution and this city, but, above all, to the parents and students who entrust this university with their formation and future.
From the beginning of my term of office, I have emphasized that the university must remain free from any political influence. The rector does not represent political interests, but serves the academic community and the public. In this sense, any institutional support, including that of the Ministry of Education and the Municipality of Shkodra, which, in fact, have not been lacking, has been and remains welcome, as long as it respects this principle and contributes to the development of the university.
In this spirit, I have asked for support for the efforts initiated and not for the creation of artificial barriers that hinder a necessary transformation process for the university and the role it should have in the life of the city.
This approach, apparently, did not find the proper understanding and if the exercise of this function is accompanied by interventions that violate institutional autonomy, then I do not hesitate to leave my resignation on the table and return to academic life as a professor. The Rector is temporary, the Board of Administration (BA) is temporary, but the University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” is and remains permanent.
The BA’s decision to appoint the administrator is, in my opinion, unacceptable and, as is known, I have made such a position public. But, this is further deepened when, without legal basis, this same Board, in a unilateral and discriminatory manner in relation to other academic and administrative staff, takes the decision to postpone the retirement age.
In addition, the BA, including the 4 representatives of the MA in it, ignores and arrogantly rejects the Final Report of the Working Group set up by you, following my request, to verify the legality of the public competition procedures for the recruitment of administrative personnel, in 2025, at the University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”. This Report justifies the claims of the rector, where it clearly concludes that: “the announcement for employment by the BA is invalid”. The BA Decision, no. 2015, dated 15. 07. 2025 “On the approval of the criteria for the recruitment procedures of staff dependent on the administrator”, is in contradiction with Law no. 80/2015, and as such is null and void and should not bring legal consequences.
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The Board of Administration continues legal violations, paying project royalties preferentially, without Board decisions, but directly through the administrator, without a scientific filter and uncertified by the relevant directorate and the rector, as has been and is normal practice.
As above, I have the authority and the right, but not the strength, to further oppose BA, while they, all together, have the strength, but not the authority and the right to impose themselves.
The mandate that emanates from the university community is not only a right to lead, but an obligation to exercise it with integrity, in respect of university autonomy and in service of the university and the city of Shkodra.
Tonin Gjuraj resigns as rector of the University of Shkodra,
I ask you, Madam Minister, to refer to Article 39 of Law 80/2015, point 9, to guarantee the normal continuation of the functioning of the University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”, after my irrevocable resignation, for the benefit of the students and the academic community.
I humbly express my deepest gratitude and deepest condolences to and for the citizens of Shkodra, the parents of the students, the academic staff, the administration, and the students, especially those who supported my project of updating tradition, promoting transparency, and initiating institutional transformation, which, although with various barriers and difficulties, had just begun to show its first fruits.
I wish UNISHK eternal life and success in your work, Madam Minister!
With understanding,
Prof. Dr. Tonin Gjuraj,