Dr Andi Hoxhaj, Lecturer (Teaching) at UCL Laws, is awarded an OBE in New Year 2024 Honours List

The Honour recognises Dr Hoxhaj's contributions to Albanian and UK relations, in particular the role he played in encouraging that "The UK-Albania Joint Communique: Enhancing Bilateral Cooperation in Areas of Common Interest" signed by the Prime Ministers of the UK and Albania in December 2022, includes a new component in the field of "education" as part of the two countries' areas of bilateral cooperation.

As part of His Majesty's Government's official bilateral meetings programme with the Albanian Government, Dr Hoxhaj hosted together with FCDO and the British Council a roundtable discussion with the Prime Minister of Albania at the UCL Faculty of Laws in March 2023 as the first round of discussion between the UK and Albania on how to further develop the educational component of the "UK-Albania Joint Communique". He has since played an active role in facilitating several bilateral talks between the UK and Albania in the field of education. 

Dr Hoxhaj said, "I am truly honoured and humbled to be nominated by the FCDO, and I am absolutely delighted to receive the order from His Majesty King Charles III’.

"I am really pleased by the FCDO's support for educational cooperation as a means of forging closer ties between the UK and Albania, as well as acknowledging the value that academia and research can play in fostering better understanding in areas of common interests".

“I am incredibly grateful for my family, friends, and colleagues who have supported and encouraged my initiatives. Without their support and help, I would not have been able to receive this recognition by His Majesty, which is the greatest honour of my life”.

Dr Hoxhaj has also contributed to the public and policy debate in the UK about migration from Albania, frequently speaking to media and leading think tanks. He gave evidence before the Home Affairs Select Committee hearing on “Migration and Asylum: Albania” in December 2022 and facilitated Home Affairs Select Committee study visits to Albania in 2023. He has also been awarded grants to develop public engagement related to this project (UCL Public Policy's Rapid Response Policy Advisory Scheme, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council; Research England's QR Special Priorities Fund).