The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kosovo, His Excellency Robert Bosch, was honored by AAB College with the title “Doctor Honoris Causa”, with the motivation for his extraordinary efforts in promoting proactive diplomacy and his unique contribution to democracy in Albania and Kosovo.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including former President of Albania Alfred Moisiu, former President Fatmir Sejdiu, former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, Deputy Prime Minister Kujtim Shala, Ministers Ferid Agani, Edita Tahiri, Hikmete Bajrami, Members of Parliament Flora Brovina, Nenad Rasic, Emilija Rexhepi, EULEX Head of Mission Gabriele Meucci, many accredited ambassadors in Kosovo, as well as representatives of civil society, professors, and students of AAB College.
The Rector of AAB College, Prof. Dr. Lulzim Tafa, said he was honored to award the title Doctor Honoris Causa to the Dean of the diplomatic corps in Kosovo, Ambassador Robert Bosch, emphasizing that the title is given only by this institution.
Rector Tafa added:
“Since the establishment of AAB College, we have awarded the title Doctor Honoris Causa to only two eminent personalities:
Today, we honor Ambassador Bosch for the intellectual and diplomatic model he represents.”
He noted that the proposal for awarding Ambassador Bosch came from the students and professors of the Department of Political Sciences, where many ambassadors have given lectures.
Professor Venera Llunji, who read the official reasoning of the award, emphasized that based on Ambassador Bosch’s commitment, dedication, and work in representing the Kingdom of the Netherlands and supporting Kosovo’s institutions in their political, economic, and social development, the Senate of AAB College decided to grant him the title Doctor Honoris Causa for special merits in proactive diplomacy in the Balkans.
After receiving the award from Rector Tafa, Ambassador Robert Bosch expressed his gratitude, stating that it was an honor to receive such recognition from an institution like AAB College.
He added humorously that the reasoning might have been “a bit exaggerated,” saying:
“When you hear the names of previous awardees you ask yourself: why me? But I have always tried to promote democracy, human rights—especially minority rights—and the rule of law, both as an OSCE ambassador and now as the Ambassador of the Netherlands.”
He also remarked that school textbooks in Kosovo and Albania—especially in social sciences—need modernization in line with European-Western standards.
Ambassador Bosch expressed special gratitude to President Moisiu and Minister Arben Malaj for traveling from Tirana to attend the ceremony.
He concluded by saying that this award represents recognition for all his colleagues who have dedicated themselves to serving their countries, expressing his wishes for a brighter future for Kosovo.
