Director: Daniel C. Levy

Private University Legalized in Macedonia

(Summary by Yingying Xu)

PROPHE Summary:
Tetovo University, a 10-year-old private university that teaches in the Albanian language, has been legalized by the Macedonian parliament. It is a step to remove a major ethnic conflict. A separate, internationally financed Albanian-language institution played a role, as its success helped persuade the Macedonian government to legalize Tetovo University. Before that, the Macedonian authorities banned higher education in the Albanian language, with only the Macedonian language used in the country's two public universities. Tetovo University has functioned de facto, however.

For the full story see the Chronicle of Higher Education, January 27, 2004. "Macedonia Permits Albanian-Language University to Gain Official Status," by Burton Bollag.

PROPHE Observation:
Tetovo University is an extreme case of where the law is more a response to private higher education reality than an initiator of it. Tetovo also represents a sharp case of where private higher education serves particular ethnic interests. Eastern and Central Europe, but also other regions as well, are witnessing an increase in institutions that serve minorities that may be or feel less comfortable in mainstream public (or private) universities. Promoters herald freedom and choice while detractors worry about divisiveness.