The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Justina Shiroka Pula, participated at the launch of two scholarly works by Academician Hivzi Islami today, marking his 80th birthday.
On this occasion, President Shiroka Pula stated that these two scholarly works represent a significant portion of his long-standing body of work and his extraordinary contribution to the study of the population of Kosovo and the Albanian people.
However, according to President Shiroka Pula, this day carries a broader significance than merely the launch of two books or the celebration of a milestone; today, we honour an entire life dedicated to knowledge, science, university education, institutional development, and the general interest of our country.
“In the history of any scientific institution, there are figures who stand out not only for the works they have authored but also for the lasting impact they have had on the development of the institution itself, the education of new generations, and the promotion of science both nationally and internationally. Academician Hivzi Islami is, without a doubt, one such figure,” said President Shiroka Pula. She further stated that, for her personally, this day holds special significance; as a long-time colleague, she has had the opportunity to witness first-hand his dedication to scientific work, his professional seriousness, his sense of institutional responsibility, and his steadfast commitment to preserving and advancing the authority of the Academy.
“For this reason, I have long wished to mark this anniversary in a dignified manner—not only to honour his scientific body of work but also to express our gratitude for everything he has contributed to the University, the Academy, and Albanian scholarship,” emphasized President Shiroka Pula.
President Shiroka Pula added that eighty years of life—encompassing more than five decades of academic and scientific activity—represent a long journey, rich in hard work, responsibilities, challenges, and achievements; a journey that, in her view, merits profound respect and special recognition.
“One of his notable achievements is the institutionalization of demography as a scientific and academic discipline in Kosovo. He organized postgraduate studies in this field and played a direct role in training generations of young scholars, many of whom have since pursued their own academic and scientific paths,” affirmed President Shiroka Pula. According to President Shiroka Pula, Academician Islami’s creative work testifies not only to the trust his colleagues placed in him but also to his steadfast dedication to the development, organization, and advancement of the Academy.
President Shiroka Pula also noted that Academician Islami’s scientific contribution is both extensive and multidimensional.
“He is rightly considered one of the founders of modern Albanian demography and one of the most prominent scholars of demographic processes in Kosovo and the broader Albanian-inhabited region. His body of work includes several scholarly books and over 150 studies and articles published in both domestic and international scientific journals and publications,” the President stated.
According to President Shiroka Pula, what distinguishes Academician Islami’s work is his comprehensive approach to demographic phenomena.
President Shiroka Pula further remarked that Kosovo currently faces significant demographic and socioeconomic challenges, including emigration, the exodus of young people, shifts in the population’s age structure, declining birth rates, and the impact of these processes on the labour market, the economy, and the country’s long-term development.
According to the President, the first piece of work titled “Kosovo: The Last Demographic Transition in Europe”, offers an in-depth examination of the demographic transformation processes within Kosovo’s population. In conclusion, President Shiroka Pula stated that this jubilee marks not only a moment to reflect on the path taken thus far by Academician Hivzi Islami, but also an occasion to express the conviction that his work and contributions will continue to be an important part of Kosovo’s scientific and academic heritage.
