Dean, Faculty of Foreign Langauges, AAB College

[email protected]

Assist. Prof. Dr. Aida Alla is the Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at AAB College, Pristina. Her area of academic expertise lies in comparative linguistics, specifically in the English- Albanian translation studies. At the MA level, she obtained her degree in 2007 with high distinction in technical-literary translation and interpretation at the renowned University of Tirana. In 2013, she continued her doctoral studies at the University of Tirana. In 2017, she successfully completed her doctoral dissertation, which was a comparative examination into the different linguistic structures of English and Albanian. Through the vantage point of translation equivalence, she investigated the various ways in which syntactical, stylistic and cultural phenomena are rendered in cross-over literature, from English into Albanian literary work (the literary translations of Amik Kasoruho). Furthermore, the academic accomplishments of Dr. Alla can partially be situated in her continual engagement with translation as a professional domain.

In addition to her academic research, she was employed as a translation expert and public relations officer in the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)/ AMAE, located in Albania. In this capacity, she represented the Albanian delegation in the project AMAE/UNDP in Zagreb, Croatia. Her professional experience was combined with academic research, and lecturing at the University of Tirana. Her professional work also consists of translation and interpretation for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in the project concerning Human Trafficking as well as for the Albanian NGO, MJAFT!

Since 2012, Dr. Alla has worked as a lecturer, and researcher at AAB College where she teaches English Syntax and The Theory of Translation  and various subjects related with her academic expertise and professional experience in the domains of legislative, and cultural translation. Since then she has participated in various scientific conferences, on both the regional, and international scale where she has spoken about her work, and shared her research in translation studies (including in Madrid, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Tirana and Durres). During the period 2016-2017, she worked as a quality assurance coordinator in the Faculty. In 2018, she was promoted to the Dean of the Faculty. Since then, Dr. Alla has organized a variety of academic activities, debates, and conferences organized at AAB for researchers, and students alike.

Conference Organization & Committee Memberships

Session Chair at the international scientific conference “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Age of Transformation: Opportunities and Challenges”, organized by AAB College (2025). https://aab-edu.net/en/conference/artificial-intelligence-ai-in-the-age-of-transformation-opportunities-and-challenges/

Session Chair and Participant in the Final Conference of the Erasmus+ Project “Mobility Recognition: Revision of Approaches and Practices for Regional Integration”, organized by Vlora University in partnership with AAB College and consortium institutions (2025). https://aab-edu.net/thirrje-per-aplikim-konferenca-nderkombetare-morin/

Session Chair and Participant at the international scientific conference “Multilingualism, Innovation, and Digitalization in the Light of European Education Policies” (2024).

Head of the Organizing Committee and Member of the Scientific Committee of the first Alumni Research Conference organized by AAB College (2023).  https://aab-edu.net/en/conference/1st-alumni-research-conference-2021/

Member of the Scientific Committee of the Scientific International Conference “Didactics of Foreign Languages and Cultures: From Language Policies to Approaches for Multilingual Competence”, organized by the University of Tirana in partnership with AAB College (2023). https://fgjh.edu.al/en/international-scientific-conference-didactics-of-foreign-languages-and-cultures-from-language-policies-to-approaches-for-multilingual-competence/

Head of the Organizing Committee and Member of the Scientific Committee of the Second Alumni Research Conference organized by AAB College (2022). https://aab-edu.net/u-mbajt-me-sukses-konferenca-e-dyte-shkencore-alumni-2022-per-gjuhesi-letersi-dhe-didaktike/

Member of the Scientific Committee at the conference “Post-pandemic Challenges in Psychology and Education”, organized by the University of Tirana (December 16-17, 2022). https://unitir.edu.al/eng/post-pandemic-challenges-in-psychology-and-education/

Head of the Organizing Committee and Member of the Scientific Committee of the second Alumni Research Conference organized by AAB College (2022). https://aab-edu.net/documents/book-of-abstracts-2nd-alumni-research-conference-2022/

Head of the Organizing Committee and Member of the Scientific Committee of the first Alumni Research Conference organized by AAB College (2021). https://www.facebook.com/AAB.edu/posts/4506465972719832

Head of the Organizing and Scientific Committee of the international conference “4th International Conference on Foreign Language Education and Culture”, organized by AAB in partnership with six international universities (2019). https://aab-edu.net/conference/4th-international-conference-on-foreign-language-education-and-culture/

Member of the Organizing and Scientific Committee of the international conference “III International Conference on Linguistics, Literature and Didactics”, organized by AAB in partnership with four universities (2018). https://aab-edu.net/en/conference/iii-international-conference-on-linguistics-literature-and-didactics/

Member of the Organizing Committee of the international conference “Linguistics, Literature, and Culture” organized by AAB College in partnership with three universities (2017). https://aab-edu.net/conference/gjuhesi-letersi-dhe-kulture-2/

Head of the Organizing Committee of the international conference “Linguistics, Literature and Culture”, organized by AAB College with seven institutional partners including the U.S. Embassy to Kosovo (2016). https://aab-edu.net/en/conference/linguistics-literature-and-culture/

List of publications in scientific Journals:

Alla, A. (2024). An invisible storyteller or a loud recreator? A translator-centered approach to the translation of children’s literature. Crossroads: A Journal of English Studies, 45, 6–24. https://czasopisma.filologia.uwb.edu.pl/index.php/c/article/view/2349

Demaj, U., & Alla, A. (2023). BAC, U KRY! Space, Albanian commemoration and the Gheg variety as a linguistic symbol of state independence in postwar Kosovo. Journal of Nationalism, Memory & Language Politics, 17(1). https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/jnmlp-2023-0005

Alla, A. (2021). Suprasegmental features in children’s literature and their translation in Albanian. The Russian Linguistic Bulletin, 1(25), 184–189. http://rulb.org/en/article/c%d0%b5%d0%bc%d0%b0%d0%bd%d1%82%d0%b8%d1%87%d0%b5%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b0%d1%8f-%d1%84%d1%83%d0%bd%d0%ba%d1%86%d0%b8%d1%8f-%d1%81%d1%83%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b0%d1%81%d0%b5%d0%b3%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%bd%d1%82%d0%bd/

Alla, A. (2019). Comparing and contrasting the syntactical structures in the English and Albanian variants of the Harry Potter saga. In C. Can, P. Patsala, & Z. Tatsioka (Eds.), Contemporary means and methods in ELT and applied linguistics (pp. 1–14). Lychnos-Printhouse. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333324578_Language_in_Focus_Contemporary_Means_and_Methods_in_ELT_and_Applied_Linguistics

Sejdiu, S., & Alla, A. (2015). The influence of English language in the Kosovo media. Thesis – International Research Review, 3, 29–42. https://dspace.aab-edu.net/bitstream/handle/123456789/124/03-2015-EN-05-Sejdi-Sejdiu-Aida-Alla.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Alla, A. (2015a). Challenges in children’s literature translation: A theoretical overview. European Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 1(2), 15–19. https://journals.euser.org/files/articles/ejls_may-aug_15/Aida.pdf

Alla, A. (2015b). Legal language: Stylistic analysis of the translation into Albanian of “Convention on Cluster Munitions.” Thesis – International Research Review, 4(1), 39–54. https://dspace.aab-edu.net/bitstream/handle/123456789/82/01-2015-EN-04-Aida-Alla%20(1).pdf?sequence=1

Alla, A. (2014). Contrastive analysis of the dependent subject clause in Albanian and English. Thesis – International Research Review, 2, 31–42. https://dspace.aab-edu.net/bitstream/handle/123456789/71/02-2014-EN-04-Aida-Alla.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

List of conference participantion

Alla, A. (2019, September 7). The interface between syntax and semantics in predicate complementation in the English language [Conference presentation]. 4th International Conference: Linguistics, Literature, and Culture. https://aab-edu.net/conference/fourth-international-conference-on-linguistics-literature-and-education/

Alla, A. (2018). The norms of children’s literature translation versus Amik Kasoruho’s principles of translation: The case of the Harry Potter saga [Conference presentation]. 10th International Conference New Dimensions and Approaches in English Studies.

Alla, A. (2016). “Expelliarmus” versus “Dëbimus”: Harry Potter’s magical world in Albanian language. Proceedings of the 10th International Congress of Social Sciences, *1*, [Page range if available]. https://books.euser.org/files/proceedings/10th_ICSS_2016_Proceedings_Book_Vol_1_ISBN_9788890916441.pdf

Alla, A. (2015a). Translation strategies of culture-specific items in Albanian translation of the Harry Potter novels. Proceedings of the 4th International Multidisciplinary Conference: Integrating Science in New Global Challenges, [Volume if applicable], 1–6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311949710_A_comparative_analysis_of_culture_specific_items_in_Albanian_translation_of_Harry_Potter_novels#fullTextFileContent

Alla, A. (2015b). Translation universals portrayed in the Albanian version of the Harry Potter series. Proceedings of the Second International Conference: Crossroads of Foreign Languages, [Volume if applicable], 15–20.

Trainings on professional development

Webinar “Writing learning outcomes”,  organised by Erasmus + Morin porject team. (2024)

Webinar: “Supporting Academics to Become International Educators. (2024)

through Professional Learning Communities”, organised by Erasmus + Morin porject team

Participation in the training “Fostering Applied Research Activities in Kosovo”, organized by Edutask, co-funded by EU and GIZ. (2022)

Participation at the “International Training Week” held in Brno and organized by Masaryk University, Czech Republic (2022).

Certificate of participation at the training on “Higher education learning methodology from the perspective of the principles of adult learning,” organized by the Center for Innovation and Professional Advancement (2022).

Certificate of participation at the training on “Research-based learning” held by the Professional Development and Innovation Centre, AAB College (2022).

Certificate of participation in Webinar 1: Transitioning Effectively to Online Teaching and Webinar 2: Re-Thinking Student Assessment in Online Learning, organised by Click and AAB College (2020).

Certificate of participation at the Workshop on Academic Publishing in International Journals, covering: International peer-reviewed journal operations (submission, peer review); Textual-structural formatting for research publications; Hands-on academic writing feedback (2019).

Certificate of Participation as a Member of Albanian Delegation at the “Workshop on Cluster Munitions” (Zagreb, Croatia), organized by RACVIAC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Croatia (2010).

Certificate of Completion: Speak Out! Cross-Border Dialogue and Communication Tools of Intercultural Youth Exchange (Bosnia and Herzegovina), including seminars on cultural diversity, tolerance, and communication (2008).

Certificate of Completion: The American Studies Course (US Embassy, Tirana), covering legal/educational systems, media, and cultural diversity (2006).

Televisions apparencies:

An interview on ATV about the Morin project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=kIJ6p9T5JgE

Niman Dreshaj, born on April 1, 1980, in Istog, Kosovo, is an experienced educator, academic coordinator, and Ph.D. candidate specializing in English language education. Currently serving as a Teaching Coordinator and Lecturer at AAB College, he combines over two decades of teaching and academic management expertise with a strong commitment to advancing English language pedagogy and research in the region.

Niman completed his undergraduate and master’s studies in English Language at the University of Prishtina. His master’s thesis focused on “The Implementation of Formative and Summative Assessment in Primary Schools of Prishtina”, highlighting his early interest in educational assessment. He is presently pursuing his doctoral studies at the University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Bitola, North Macedonia, where his dissertation explores “The Impact of English Language Proficiency in Scientific Research of Master and Doctoral Studies.” This ongoing research underlines his dedication to improving academic English proficiency and its role in higher education research.

Throughout his career, Niman has held numerous key academic and leadership roles. Since 2018, he has been a Lecturer and Internship Coordinator at AAB College, responsible for delivering courses within the English Language program and organizing professional internships for third-year students. His role involves fostering collaboration with partner institutions and ensuring high-quality internship experiences for students.

Previously, from 2010 to 2017, he served as Vice Dean at AAB College’s Faculty of Foreign Languages, where he supported academic and administrative functions, oversaw curriculum development, and managed faculty staff. He also led as Director of Studies at the INFINIT Center from 2013 to 2020, developing language training and professional programs with a focus on instructional quality and curriculum design.

Niman’s teaching career began in primary and secondary education, including positions at New Age School and high schools ‘Sami Frashëri’ and ‘28 Nëntori’ in Prishtina. He further contributed as an Assistant Lecturer at Universum College, supporting courses in English language and teaching methodology.

Beyond his institutional roles, Niman has been actively engaged with the English Teachers Association of Kosovo (ETAK) from 2003 to 2007, helping to organize professional development activities and promote best teaching practices.

He is fluent in Albanian (native), English, and Serbian, with basic proficiency in French. Niman is also proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Moodle, and has continuously enhanced his skills through seminars and trainings in psychological foundations of teaching, assessment strategies, academic writing, digital education, project management, and data analysis software (SPSS).

His scientific contributions include research on formative and summative assessments in Prishtina’s schools and studies on the use of new technologies in English language learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. His publications have been featured on platforms such as ResearchGate and Anglisticum.

Outside academia, Niman is passionate about endurance sports, particularly trail and long-distance running. He has completed challenging races such as the Vodno–Matka Marathon in North Macedonia, the Gërmia Bear Trail in Kosovo, multiple half-marathons in Prishtina, Tirana, and Skopje, as well as full marathons in Ulcinj, Montenegro. He is also an active member of the Gërmia 555 running community, which promotes health, sustainability, and community engagement through sport.

Balancing a rich professional and sporting life, Niman is a devoted family man, married with five children, who manages to integrate his personal and professional responsibilities with dedication and enthusiasm.

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Aida Thaqi Gashi, born on January 13, 1998, in Pristina, is a university teaching assistant, researcher, and PhD candidate in linguistics. She is currently engaged at the Faculty of Foreign Languages at AAB College, where she contributes to teaching, scientific research, and institutional development.

After completing her undergraduate and master’s studies in English Language and Literature at AAB College (2015–2021), she began her academic career as a teaching assistant at the same institution. In parallel with her academic duties, she has held significant administrative positions, including Quality Assurance Officer (2021–2025) and currently as Academic Affairs Officer (2025–ongoing).

In 2023, she began her doctoral studies at the University of Antwerp in Belgium, within the Faculty of Arts, specializing in Linguistics. Her research focuses on the intersection of language, gender, and women’s rights in the context of Kosovo. Since 2023, she has been co-supervised by Prof. Ass. Dr. Uranela Demaj.

Aida has participated in a wide range of international professional training programs that have strengthened her expertise in research management, data analysis, academic ethics, and language rights. She has successfully completed training programs from institutions such as the University of Antwerp, Springer Nature (Berlin), ELEVEL Academy (Germany), KU Leuven, Radboud University in the Netherlands, and the Discourse Studies Center in Barcelona. These trainings have covered topics such as Critical Discourse Analysis, Project Management, Personal Effectiveness, Analytic Storytelling, GDPR & Research, SQL & Data Analysis, among others.

In the academic sphere, Aida is an active presenter at international conferences and symposia. In May 2024, she presented at Stockholm University, Sweden, at a transdisciplinary symposium with the topic: “Women’s rights’ activist tackling of absences in Kosovar society: Reflections on practice and research.” She also participated in the International Pragmatics Association Conference (IPRA) in Brussels in July 2023.

In addition to her roles as researcher and educator, Aida has served as a member of the organizing committees for several scientific conferences hosted by AAB College, including:

• 1st Alumni Research Conference 2021: Language, Literature and Didactics

• 2nd Alumni Research Conference 2022

• Gender Studies Conference

Throughout her career, Aida has distinguished herself through her commitment to academic quality, active engagement in gender equality issues, and contribution to developing research capacities through mentorship and interdisciplinary work. She remains dedicated to the advancement of higher education in Kosovo and the internationalization of her scholarly research.

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