Enkeleda Olldashi, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Tirana, has expressed her support for students who have been protesting for days, stating that she will stand by them until their demands are met. Olldashi said that lecturers cannot remain in lecture halls when students are in the square. ”At the moment when I do not have my students in the lecture hall, I go where the students are”, she declared, adding that the protest has now turned into a revolt and an expression of the anger of young people.
The lecturer also criticized the non-implementation, according to her, of the University Pact of 2018, stressing that agreements should not remain only on paper but should be translated into concrete solutions for students.”Pacts cannot remain on paper. The principles that I explain to students must be put into practice”, Olldashi said, adding that it concerns her that instead of giving lectures, she has to go out into the square to defend her students.
She also reacted to statements by Prime Minister Edi Rama regarding scholarships for students taking part in the protest, stressing that their eligibility is determined by law and the relevant criteria. ”Prime Minister, you do not give the scholarship. The law gives the scholarship”, the lecturer declared, arguing that scholarships are linked to high academic results and the economic situation of families.
Olldashi criticized the language used towards students and young people, warning of the psychological consequences that verbal pressure can cause. ”Verbal violence hurts more than a stone. We are damaging a new generation”, she said to A2 CNN, stressing that high school students in particular must be heard and not face pressure.
In conclusion, the lecturer stated that she will continue to support the students and that she is ready to face possible measures against her for the position she has taken. ”If measures are taken against lecturers for what is happening, let the first measure be taken against me”, Olldashi concluded.