First Department of Albanology to be established at DePaul University in Chicago

Tirana Times
By Tirana Times March 13, 2020 11:17

First Department of Albanology to be established at DePaul University in Chicago

At the start of the new academic year in September, a department of Albanology Studies will be opened for the first time ever at DePaul University in Chicago. This marks an important moment in the history of Albanian studies, says the director of the department, Dr. Gazmend Kapllani. VOA journalist, Burim Goxhuli talked to Kapllani a few days ago about the plans of this cathedral. 

The inauguration of the Department of Albanology at DePaul University in Chicago is expected to happen in May, while the program of Albanology studies is expected to be ready by September with the start of the new academic year, says the director of the department Dr. Gazmend Kapllani.

This is the first time in the history that Albanian studies have reached such a level in American universities.

“We are working to create the platform and from the moment of its creation within this year every student will be able to reach out to us and register. They will become a member of this degree, because we want to give our students diplomas. And they will learn on the one hand Albanian language and on the other hand what we call content subjects, that is, Albanian and English language subjects on different topics and topics of Albanology, ” he said.

The areas of study will be inclusive, says Kapllani,  so he expects great interest from international students as well.

“We will have all the disciplines of language, literature, history, archeology, philosophy. And we want to create the most up-to-date curriculum because [the field of] Albanology has tremendous potential, especially when it comes to issues that are at the heart of global discussion today, whether that has to do with the diaspora literature, history, geostrategy, or religion. So we will try to create a contemporary curriculum that will not only speak to the Albanian-American students who are our center and mainstream audience but speak to every student of all backgrounds or ethnic backgrounds, ” said Kapllani for the Voice of America.

The establishment of the department was made possible by a donation from an Albanian-American philanthropist. “His name is Hidai Eddie Bregu and I have the honor of being the first director of the department and will do everything possible to serve and honor his name and vision. He was a man of extraordinary vision; patriotic , open-minded and connected to the various communities in America. So to me he serves as a model of a contemporary patriot, ” said Kapllani.

Kapllani invites the Albanian-American community to follow the example from the work of philanthropist Hidai Eddie Bregu so that projects like the establishment of the department do not stop in Chicago.

Tirana Times
By Tirana Times March 13, 2020 11:17