Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Meeting with SEEU Rector Abdylmenaf BEXHETI

I recently came across this article on the South East European University website --- about my visit with SEEU Rector Abdylmenaf Bexheti and Pro-Rector for Research and International Relations Besa Arifi in December 2018.

It was a privilege to serve as an international Member of SEEU's Board of Trustees.

https://www.seeu.edu.mk/en/research/mvdsi/NewsEvents?id=1764

Rector Bexheti met with Professor Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan from the University of South Florida

11 December 2018

On Tuesday (11th December 2018), the Rector of South East European University, Acad. Prof. Dr. Abdylmenaf Bexheti held an official meeting with Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and international member of the SEE University Board.

In addition to the development aspects of the University, in this meeting there were discussions about forms and programs of concrete cooperation with the University from where Professor Judithanne comes from, apart from the universities with which SEEU has cooperation since its foundation.

In particular, was emphasized the need for cooperation in academic staff exchange, as well as cooperation in other scientific and professional projects.

In the meeting participated the SEEU Pro-rector for Research and International Relation --Prof. Dr. Besa Arifi.

Monday, January 30, 2023

Fulbright Association - Wines of Macedonia - Wine Tasting Event!

What a pleasure it was to organize a Macedonian Wine Tasting Event for the Fulbright Association!

The purpose of the event was for guests to learn more about Macedonian culture and wine - and to have the opportunity to sample some of these world class vintages.

After sharing a few details about my extraordinary time as a Fulbrighter in North Macedonia - and why I wanted to organize this Macedonian Wine Tasting event - it was my honor to welcome His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to the U.S. ZORAN POPOV.

Ambassador Popov joined us from Washington, DC, and he spoke about Macedonian wine exports and the work that is being done to promote Macedonian wines in the U.S. markets. (Currently only 3% of the exports go to the U.S.)

The US Embassy in North Macedonia Public Affairs Section was represented by the esteemed GAZMEND ILAZI. We really have Gazmend to thank for helping to pull this event together - helping to connect us with former Fulbright Scholar to the US, Professor Marina Nacka from UKIM, the Wines of Macedonia organization, and the Macedonian Association of Sommeliers.

This was a multi-media presentation, which included a video about Macedonian wines. (I need to see if I can get a YouTube link to share the video here)

ELENA MLADENOVSKA-JELENKOVIC Executive Director of Wines of Macedonia gave a wonderful presentation that covered the history of Macedonia, agriculture, and wine production. Elena also talked about the varieties of grapes that are native to the Balkans - including my favorite, vranec.

And then ZVONKO HERCEG, the President of the MASOM - Macedonian Association of Sommeliers walked us through 6 different Macedonian wines. It was a treat to learn so much about each of the wines, the vineyards - and all that Zvonko had to share about the climate in the Balkan region and what makes the wines so special.

We were thrilled to have a wine distributor personally deliver a case of Macedonian wines - and to learn more about how we can access wines here in Florida. Thank you Angelo Dimovski for the special delivery! And for your assistance pouring the wine for our guests. We appreciated your expertise as well.

One of the pictures below includes contacts of distributors in the U.S.

And special thanks to my friend Ann Pollard, who helped us with the tech as we had our international speakers presenting on screens in 3 locations in our little beach bungalow.