Interview and Introduction by Rafaela Prifti/
Dr. Albina Balidemaj-Basha came to the United States as a teenage refugee from wartime Kosovo. She studied psychology in Minneapolis before returning to Kosovo, where she held several roles at RIT Kosovo (A.U.K.), including Dean of Faculty. Appointed President in July 2026, she now leads Kosovo’s only private, nonprofit higher education institution, which reports more than 1,900 alumni.
Dr. Balidemaj spoke with us after a recent RIT delegation met with representatives of VATRA in New York. The conversation focuses on expanding student research, developing academic exchanges, launching the new RIT Tirana campus, addressing the affordability challenges many families face, and engaging more diaspora professionals through mentorship, teaching, and research. From AI ethics to diaspora engagement, she sees RIT Kosovo’s future as one shaped by collaboration across disciplines, borders, generations, and by graduates ready to contribute in Kosovo and around the world.
Vision, Legacy & The Next Chapter
Q1. As the first Kosovar and Albanian-American president after nearly two decades with the institution, what is your long-term primary goal for the university’s legacy?
For nearly two decades at RIT Kosovo, I have had the privilege of growing alongside this institution and witnessing its challenges, achievements, and most importantly, the lasting impact on generations of young people. As its first Kosovar and Albanian-American president, I hope to help that impact grow for generations to come.
I am also very conscious that I am stepping into a role shaped by the leadership, dedication, and vision of those who came before me. Each of my predecessors and institutional founders have contributed to building the institution we have today, and I see my presidency as a continuation of that work. My responsibility is not to start from scratch, but to build on the strong foundation they have established, while bringing my own perspective and vision for the future.
Being the first Kosovar and Albanian-American president carries a special responsibility for me. Having spent much of my life between Kosovo and the United States, I understand both the local realities and the opportunities that come from being connected to a global academic community.
My long-term goal is to ensure that RIT Kosovo is recognized not only as a leading institution of higher education in Kosovo, but also as a regional center of academic excellence, innovation, and opportunity. I want us to be known for the quality of our graduates, the relevance of our academic programs, and our contributions to society. But beyond academic success, I want us to educate compassionate, socially conscious individuals with strong values and a sense of responsibility toward their communities. People who understand the importance of giving back, creating opportunities for others, and contributing to their country’s future. Equally important to me is ensuring that access to quality education is not determined by a student’s financial circumstances.
Ultimately, I hope my legacy will be one of continuity, growth, and lasting institutional strength. Just as I have benefited from the work of those who came before me, I want to leave behind an institution that is even stronger for those who will follow. Universities are built by generations of people who believe in their mission, and I consider it a privilege to contribute to the next chapter of ours.
Q2. With the recent launch of RIT Tirana, how do you see the roles of the Kosovo and Albania campuses intertwining to create a broader Balkan educational hub?
The expansion into Tirana represents an important step in our institutional development, but I see it as much more than geographic expansion. Kosovo and Albania share strong cultural, historical, and economic ties, yet their higher education systems and labor markets also have distinct characteristics. This creates an opportunity for us to build on the strengths of both locations. My vision is for the two campuses to operate as complementary parts of a broader academic ecosystem, where students and faculty can collaborate across borders, share resources, and participate in joint academic and research initiatives.
We also have an opportunity to attract more international students, create academic mobilities, strengthen partnerships with regional industries, and create a stronger connection between education and economic development. I believe the Western Balkans have tremendous intellectual potential. What we need are stronger institutions and better mechanisms for collaboration. Our expansion should contribute to both.
Q3. What are some examples of “better mechanisms” in connection with your tenure as Dean of Faculty? What specific changes or updates do you plan to introduce to the current curriculum to ensure it meets changing economic landscapes?
My experience as Dean of Faculty has reinforced one important lesson: universities cannot afford to remain static while the world around them changes so quickly. We already offer an American educational model that emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and experiential education. My priority is to build on that foundation. I see several areas of development, particularly artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, engineering technologies, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. We also need to ensure that these areas are not treated as isolated disciplines but integrated across our academic programs where relevant.
Equally important is strengthening the relationship between our curriculum and the labor market. I would like to see more industry-informed projects, applied research, internships, and opportunities for students to solve real challenges before they graduate.
However, we must be careful not to reduce higher education to workforce training alone. Employers’ needs will continue to change. Our responsibility is to prepare graduates who can adapt, think independently, communicate effectively, and continue learning throughout their careers. That balance between technical competence and a strong liberal arts foundation is one of the greatest strengths of an RIT education.
Innovation, AI & Industry Collaboration
Q4. RIT Kosovo recently hosted workshops and validation exercises regarding Artificial Intelligence governance and policy. How will you ensure students across all disciplines are equipped to lead in an AI-driven workforce?
Artificial intelligence is already transforming how we work, learn, and make decisions. The question is no longer whether our students will use AI, but whether they will understand it well enough to use it responsibly and effectively. AI literacy is becoming part of the educational experience of students across all disciplines, not only those studying computing or engineering. This means understanding the practical applications of AI, but also its limitations, ethical implications, and impact on privacy, employment, and human rights. As someone with a background in psychology, I am particularly interested in how these technologies influence human behavior, decision-making, and social relationships.
At RIT Kosovo, we have an opportunity to combine technical education with the social sciences and humanities. Our involvement in AI policy discussions also allows us to bring real-world questions into the classroom. My goal is not simply to prepare students to use emerging technologies, but to prepare them to question, evaluate, and help shape how those technologies are used.
Q5. RIT Kosovo recently signed a memorandum with the Business Consultants Council and maintains strong ties with the American Chamber of Commerce. Share with us the vision of scaling these private-sector partnerships to improve job placement and internships for graduates.
One of the advantages of RIT Kosovo has always been its close relationship with the private sector. Our cooperative education model already provides students with valuable opportunities to connect classroom learning with professional experience. However, I believe we can take these relationships further. I would like us to move beyond traditional partnerships that focus primarily on internships or occasional guest lectures, toward more structured and long-term collaborations. This could include companies helping identify emerging skills, participating in curriculum discussions, offering applied student projects, supporting research, and creating stronger pathways from internships to employment. Partnerships with organizations such as the Business Consultants Council and the American Chamber of Commerce are especially valuable because they connect us with a broad network of employers and industry leaders.
I also believe universities have a responsibility to listen to employers without losing their academic independence. The goal is not simply to respond to today’s labor market, but to anticipate what the market will need five or ten years from now.
Q6. Following recent discussions with government and ministerial figures, what role do you see RIT Kosovo playing in fueling national economic and digital public policy?
I believe universities have an important responsibility beyond educating students. We should also contribute knowledge, research, and independent expertise to the development of public policy. In Kosovo, this role is particularly important because we are still building many of the institutional and economic systems that will shape our future. RIT Kosovo is well positioned to serve as a bridge between academia, government, the private sector, and international partners. Our involvement in discussions around artificial intelligence governance, digital transformation, and innovation policy reflects this potential.
I would like to see us contribute more systematically through applied research, policy discussions, data analysis, and collaborative projects that address national priorities. At the same time, it is essential that we maintain our academic independence. Universities should be spaces where ideas can be examined critically and where evidence, rather than political interests, guides discussion. Our greatest contribution is not necessarily telling policymakers what to do, but helping ensure that decisions are informed by research, expertise, and thoughtful public debate.
Student Well-being, Psychology & Human Rights
Q7. Your background is in clinical psychology with research emphasizing refugee mental health and collective trauma. How will this expertise shape your approach to campus culture and student mental health?
My background in psychology has deeply influenced how I understand education and leadership. Having researched trauma, displacement, and mental health in post-conflict societies, I am particularly aware that students do not arrive at university as blank slates. They bring their personal experiences, family histories, social pressures, perceptions, and aspirations into the classroom. In Kosovo, this is especially relevant. Although our students are part of a new generation, many are still growing up in families and communities shaped by the experiences of war, migration, and economic uncertainty. For me, student well-being cannot be treated as something separate from academic success.
As an institution, we invest significantly in student well-being, mental health, accessibility, and inclusion, because we recognize that a sense of belonging is just as important to student success as academic achievement. My goal is to continue strengthening this commitment. It also means recognizing that faculty and staff play an important role in creating that environment. One of the things I have learned through my research is that resilience is not simply an individual characteristic. It is also shaped by the environments and relationships surrounding us. I believe universities have a responsibility to create those supportive environments.
Q8. As the co-founder of the Research Center for Human Rights, how will you expand research opportunities for undergraduate students looking to tackle societal challenges in the Western Balkans?
Historically, RIT Kosovo has been primarily a teaching-focused institution. One of my priorities during my time as Dean of Faculty was to begin strengthening our research culture, and this remains an important focus in my role as President, as I look to continue building on our strong teaching foundation while expanding research opportunities for faculty and undergraduate with concrete contributions to our communities.
I believe research should not be reserved for graduate students or senior academics. Some of the most interesting questions come from young people who are willing to challenge assumptions and look at familiar problems differently. Through the Research Center for Human Rights and other institutional initiatives, we have an opportunity to engage students in issues that are particularly relevant to the Western Balkans, including migration, social inclusion, mental health, gender equality, democratic development, and the impact of emerging technologies on society. I would like to encourage more faculty-student research collaboration, interdisciplinary projects, and partnerships with universities and research organizations internationally.
Our students should have opportunities not only to conduct research, but also to present their findings, publish their work where appropriate, and contribute to discussions that influence their communities. For me, research becomes particularly meaningful when it connects academic knowledge with real societal needs.
Q9. Beyond purely academic achievements, what does a truly successful student experience look like under your administration?
I often say that our responsibility as educators goes far beyond helping students earn a degree. While academic achievement is our priority, we want our students to develop strong professional skills and build successful careers. But I also want them to leave RIT Kosovo as confident, ethical, compassionate, and socially responsible individuals.
A successful student experience means having the opportunity to explore new ideas, make mistakes, ask difficult questions, build meaningful relationships, and discover strengths they may not have known they possessed. It means feeling that you belong to a community where people know you, challenge you, and genuinely care about your development.
I also want our students to understand that success is not measured only by the position they hold or the salary they earn, but by the contributions they make to their families, communities, and society. Some of our most meaningful success stories are graduates who return to support other students, create employment opportunities, or invest in their communities. That is the kind of institutional culture I want us to continue building.
Diaspora Engagement & The Global RIT Network
Q10. How will you further leverage the Rochester, Dubai, and Croatia global network to provide more exchange and collaborative opportunities for local students?
One of RIT Kosovo’s greatest strengths is that our students are part of a much larger global academic community. Our relationship with Rochester Institute of Technology provides access to international academic expertise, resources, and opportunities that would be difficult for a small institution to develop independently. Having also taught at RIT Dubai, I have experienced firsthand the value of being part of this global network. I have seen how students and faculty from different cultural and academic environments benefit from working together.
One particularly valuable opportunity is that our students can spend up to an academic year studying at another RIT global campus, including Rochester, Dubai, or Croatia, while continuing to pay their local RIT Kosovo tuition. This makes an international educational experience significantly more accessible to our students and their families.
My goal is to build on these existing opportunities by encouraging greater student and faculty mobility, developing collaborative research projects, and creating more opportunities for students across RIT campuses to work together. I am also interested in virtual exchanges, joint courses, and international projects that allow students to benefit from global collaboration without necessarily having to travel. Ultimately, I want every student who graduates from RIT Kosovo to feel that they have received not only an American education in Kosovo, but a genuinely international educational experience.
Q11. Given your personal connection to the Albanian-American community and RIT Kosovo’s historic reliance on diaspora support, how do you plan to deepen engagement with organizations like GERMIN?
This question is particularly personal to me because my family and I are part of the diaspora ourselves. I came to the United States as a refugee during my teenage years, received my education there, and eventually made the decision to return to Kosovo. That experience has shaped how I understand the relationship between the diaspora and our region. I know firsthand that the diaspora represents much more than financial support. It is an extraordinary network of knowledge, professional experience, relationships, and opportunities.
RIT Kosovo itself is an example of what becomes possible when individuals from the diaspora invest in education and believe in the potential of young people. My goal is to deepen that relationship by moving beyond traditional fundraising toward more sustained academic and professional engagement. Organizations such as GERMIN are important partners because they help connect young people with their heritage while also creating opportunities for meaningful contribution.
I would like to see more diaspora professionals involved in mentorship, guest teaching, research collaboration, internships, and entrepreneurship initiatives. I believe the next chapter of diaspora engagement should be about creating lasting institutional connections, rather than relying only on individual goodwill. And personally, I hope my own journey demonstrates that returning and contributing is possible, and that the relationship between the diaspora and our region can be genuinely reciprocal.
Q12. How does RIT Kosovo address the affordability of its tuition for local students, given that the cost of an American-style education can be difficult to manage compared with the wages many families earn in Kosovo?”
As a private, nonprofit institution offering an American education in Kosovo, we recognize that affordability is a real concern for many families. This is why scholarships, financial assistance, and continued investment in student support must remain central to our institutional mission. I know personally how transformative educational opportunities can be, particularly when someone believes in a student’s potential and helps remove the financial barriers standing in their way. My ambition is to ensure that academic talent, determination, and potential, rather than a family’s ability to pay, determine who has the opportunity to succeed at RIT Kosovo. Excellence and accessibility should never be competing priorities; they should reinforce one another.
This is particularly important in a country like Kosovo, where the cost of studying abroad can place international education beyond the reach of many families. By allowing students to access the broader RIT global network while maintaining their local tuition rates, we are helping make international academic experiences more financially accessible. For me, this is one of the most meaningful aspects of our partnership with RIT: bringing global educational opportunities closer to home without requiring families to bear the full financial burden of an international degree.
Thank you Dr. Balidemaj for sharing your perspective!
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