By invitation of the MagnaCharta Observatory, Prof Sijbolt Noorda, the Rector of the University of Tirana, Prof Dr Mynyr Koni, took part in the two-day scientific conference on 16 and 17 October 2019, organized by McMaster University, Hamilton Canada, with the subject “University Freedoms and Responsibilities: Responses to Future Challenges”.

In this conference, Rectors and personalities by several European and North American universities took part.

In this framework, on 17 October 2019, at McMaster University, a ceremony was organized during which the Rector of the University of Tirana, Prof Dr Mynyr Koni, signed the MagnaCharta Universitatum document.

Now the University of Tirana is a member of the Magna Charta Observatory, the largest university community.

The ceremony opened with the remarks of Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Canada, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, and continued with speeches from the President of the McMaster University, David Farrar and Rector of the University of Bologna, Francesco Ubertini.

The essential principles of this document provide that the university is an autonomous institution at the heart of differently organized societies by reason of their geographic distribution and cultural heritage. According to this document, it is highlighted among others that the university prepares, develops, evaluates and transmits culture through research and teaching and, to fulfil the needs of society, research and teaching must be morally, legally and intellectually independent from political authority and economic power.

During this ceremony, the Rector of the University of Tirana, Prof Dr Mynyr Koni, expressed his delight at the fact that the University of Tirana was now joining the Magna Charta Observatory so as essential university principles and academic freedom strengthen at the UT as well.

The Rector of the University of Tirana held a series of meetings with other colleagues from European and North American universities, where there were numerous discussions on cooperation and experience exchange opportunities, which will serve for successfully tackling the great challenges the University of Tirana faces today.