Biography
Dr. Festim Halili is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, at the University of Tetova. He has held several high-ranking public positions, including Director of the Fund for Innovation and Technological Development (2022–2024) and Director of the National Broadcasting Agency (2020–2021). With over 12 years of experience in the public and private sectors, Dr. Halili has specialized in information technology and electronic communications.
Between 2008 and 2010, he worked in Germany as a telecommunications protocol developer for Inacon GmBH and collaborated with the U.S.-based Scopic Software. In 2009, he began working at the University of Tetova's IT Center, managing campus networks, databases, and hardware systems, while also serving as a teaching assistant.
In 2014, he became head of the Office for Project Development and Management at the University, successfully leading the university’s first EU-funded IPA-CBC project in partnership with the University of Prishtina. He also managed projects supported by Google, IEEE, and the U.S.–North Macedonia Medical Cooperation.
In 2016, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, leading the Commission on Political Systems. During this tenure, he played a vital role in founding Mother Teresa University in Skopje, expanding the University of Tetova, enabling 130 academic and administrative hires, and promoting fair representation in various institutions. He also led key environmental reforms, including the closure of Jugochrom for pollution control.
He later directed the Public Railway Infrastructure Company, overseeing digitalization and infrastructure projects. Currently, Dr. Halili leads European projects in innovative information technologies.