Prof. Ass. Dr. Venera Llunji (b. 12 December 1968, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo) is a distinguished scholar, translator, and higher education leader with over three decades of experience. She is currently Vice-Rector for International Affairs at AAB College, Prishtina, where she has advanced internationalization, fostered strategic partnerships, and shaped higher education policy at national and European levels. Her work integrates linguistic scholarship and political science, underpinned by dual doctoral degrees, specialized training, and sustained engagement in international research, teaching, and academic networks.
Prof. Llunji holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Prishtina (1987–1991), a Master of Education from the University of Calgary, Canada (2005–2007), with specialization in higher education, lifelong learning, and teaching English as a foreign language, and dual PhDs: in International Relations and Political Sciences from the European University of Tirana, Albania (2011–2015) and in English Language and Literature from South East European University, Tetovo, North Macedonia (2015–2018). She completed specialized training in Contemporary Teaching Methods (Bournemouth, UK, 1992) and European Integration (Prishtina, EU-supported, 2008) and was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Calgary, Canada for her contributions to education and international collaboration.
In addition to her academic leadership, Prof. Llunji served as Political Advisor to two Kosovo Ministers: at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2002–2005) and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2008–2010), enhancing her expertise in policy-making, governance, and international diplomacy.
Her research bridges political science and applied linguistics, focusing on cultural diplomacy, political communication, ethnic relations, nationalism, and small-state challenges.
Key publications include: Antithesis as a Powerful Linguistic Tool of Persuasion in Political Speeches in Kosovo (2023); Cultural Diplomacy of Kosovo after the Declaration of Independence (2022);Rediscovering Nationalism (2015);Issues of Small States in the Age of Globalization (2015);Ethnic Relations, the State and Democratic Stability (2015);Effects of Nationalism in Countries in Transition: Attitudes toward Nationalism in Political Culture (2014); Sfidat e arsimimit të të rriturve në Kosovë (2013).
Prof. Llunji has also contributed to translation and legal scholarship, translating three seminal political works into Albanian (Meritojmë Mëvetësi, Republika e Kosovës, Helmimi – gjenocid modern, 1991–1992) and providing professional legal translation services.
Her international academic engagements include Visiting Lecturer at Masaryk University, Czech Republic (2023), and participation in staff teaching and training programs at Université de Caen Normandie, France (2023), and the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom (2021). She is an active participant in the European University Association (EUA), contributing to the Working Group on Teaching and Learning and engaging in policy discussions on academic integrity, sustainability, open science, and knowledge valorisation.
Through her combined scholarly achievements, leadership in higher education, political advisory experience, specialized training, research excellence, publications, translation contributions, and international engagement, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Venera Llunji exemplifies the modern academic leader: advancing knowledge, fostering international collaboration, and reinforcing higher education as a driver of societal, cultural, and diplomatic development.
