University of Tetova concluded the celebration of the 25th anniversary of its foundation with the unveiling of the monument of the Founder, First Historical Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani. After the closing ceremony of the 25th anniversary of UT, in the outer space of the University, was inaugurated the monument “The Beacon of remembrance” symbolizes the sacrifice of all Albanian activists.
The monument was unveiled by well-known personalities, among them the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, a well-known Tetovo philanthropist and businessman, also the donor of “The Beacon of remembrance”, Mr. Lazim Destani, wife of Professor Fadil Sulejmani, Haxhere Sulejmani, President of the Student Parliament, Eliesa Zhaku, Professor, Myqereme Rusi, Minister of Education and Science, Arbër Ademi, Minister of Education and Science, Arbër Ademi, Chairman of Political Parties; Ali Ahmeti, Bilall Kasami, Vesel Mehmedi, Mayor of Municipality of Tetovo, Teuta Arifi, representatives of martyrs’ families, activists of the national cause, representatives of the Association of Political Prisoners, as well as former Presidents of the Student Parliament.
The central manifestation of the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the UT was held in the square in front of the Rectorate of UT, where it was made the inauguration of the statue of the founder, First and Historical Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani. To the participants with greeting speech addressed the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti. “Fadil Sulejmani lives and will live forever, in the most beautiful dream of every student, intellectual and citizen of our country and beyond. “Fadil Suleiman lives and will live forever, in the most beautiful dream of every student, intellectual and citizen of our country and beyond”, – began the speech of the Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti. “His determination, intellectual courage and manhood were virtues of his personality. He left behind a major enlightenment project – the University of Tetova, the most indispensable project for Albanians in North Macedonia and beyond. Professor Fadil, along with many other intellectuals from the cities of Tetovo, Gostivar, Dibra, Kicevo, Struga, Skopje, Kumanovo and all Albanian areas, in 1994 led the national mission to open the Albanian-language University – University of Tetova, the home of light and knowledge to hundreds of thousands of young people who were educated and are educated with a new perspective on life, the world, the nation and civilization. As an intellectual, he had understood the mission of the ideator to contribute to his compatriots in difficult times for the nation, despite the challenges and difficulties he had to face. He stood to the end, the ideal of educating the younger generations, despite being targeted many times by the ruling circles of the past, who by all means wanted to obstruct Albanian education here in North Macedonia. Professor Fadil Sulejmani has been honored with several awards by the University of Tetova, with which he has raised his name in the pantheon: along with the title “Honorary Rector of the University of Tetova”, awarded by the Senate of this University, on November 25, 2002, he was awarded also as the “Honor of the University of Tetova”, on December 17, 2002. Whereas on the 18th anniversary of its foundation, on December 17, 2012, the State University of Tetova, to the Founder and the First Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Fadil Suleiman awarded the title “Doctor Honoris Causa”. Professor Fadil Suleiman is the author of over than 10 books and over than 200 articles published in international scientific journals. He has made important contributions in the field of phonetics and spelling, in the field of grammar and lexicology, in the field of dialectology and ethnology. There are hundreds of published articles addressing such scientific issues, which are nevertheless part of his extensive biography. As one of the historical personalities, already part of the national pantheon, with his eternal work, to the Albanians of the country he gave them the light of education, the greatest project in the modern history of these lands”,- said the Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
The Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, informed the public about the decisions taken by the Senate of the University on this jubilee date. “Let me let you know that the Senate of the University of Tetova, at its meeting held on November 28, 2019, which coincides with our National Flag Day, made important decisions of educational and scientific activity, but above all historical decisions. In the aforementioned meeting dated November 28, 2019, with complete unanimity, the Senate of the UT made a decision to initiate the procedure for completing and changing the name of our University, from the University of Tetova, to the University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani”. On this occasion, on the initiative taken as a university, on 11 December 2019, through the Ministry of Education and Science, we have submitted a reasoned request to the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia to approve the new name. The initiative addressed to the relevant authorities, we hope, will be approved and will fulfill the long-standing desire and will of our students, professors and citizens to have this University baptized under the name of the University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani” and his work will serve as an inspiration to us and the generations that come after us. In accordance with the agenda, the University has consented to accept the donation from the Honoris Causa of the UT, a renowned businessman and philanthropist, Lazim Destani, for the inauguration of statue of the Founder and First Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, and the monument of “The Beacon of remembrance” that we inaugurate today as historical monuments that perpetuate the names of the activists of our national cause who gave their all for us to enjoy today. So let me conclude by saying a few words about the great friend of the University of Tetova, Doctor Honoris Causa of UT – businessman, humanist and philanthropist, Mr. Lazim Destani. I express gratitude for this extraordinary personality, who has been with the University of Tetova since its foundation and will remain so, until God gives it life. Continuous and extremely important contributions to the functioning of our University, Lazim Destani and his famous family company ECOLOG, today are crowned with the magnificent monument of the First historic Rector of the University of Tetova. Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, who from this moment will remain eternally in the courtyard of the University, to remind generations of future students,
the arduous battle of His founders and the great victory harvested not with guns, not with machine guns and tanks, but with the power of the invincible educated spirit – with pencil and notebook”, – said the Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
While the donor of the statue of the founder and the first Historical Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, the well-known Albanian philanthropist and businessman, Lazim Destani, was very happy that the University of Tetova has raised the personality and figure of its founder, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani. He said that during this quarter century the University of Tetova has faced many difficult challenges, but the ideal, will and determination of all those who supported this hearth of knowledge has been stronger. It was the student youth, the professors and the population of this area who gave strong support to the initiators of this project, the brave intellectuals headed by Professor Fadil Sulejmani – the First and historical Rector of the University of Tetova. The results and successes of this university over the past 25 years are evident, but the development and growth of universities is not over. So let’s continue to support and grow this temple of knowledge by keeping it alongside the best universities in the region and beyond. The growth and advancement of education means the growth, economic development and overall progress of a society. Today, when the statue of the founder and first Rector of the University of Tetova, Professor Fadil Sulejmani, is inaugurated in front of this university building, I have a special feeling of satisfaction, a spiritual fulfillment, because with this act we honor the most deserving figure for the foundation of the University of Tetova. With this act, in addition of honoring this figure, we honor generations of teachers and professors in these areas who, with unparalleled work and sacrifice, have dedicated their entire lives to Albanian education. There are many patriotic intellectuals who, in every generation, set up an Albanian University in these areas, had their ideal, had their biggest dream. On this occasion, I would like to thank the Rector, Vullnet Ameti, the distinguished academic staff, as well as the Senate of the University of Tetova, who welcomed as a gift these two works of art, the statue of the Founder, First Historical Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani and the lapidary “The Beacon of remembrance”. And I would like to express special thanks for the approval of my proposal that afterwards this university be named, University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani”, – said Lazim Destani.
The wife of the founder and first Rector of UT, Professor Haxhere Sulejmani expressed her gratitude to the Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti and philanthropist Mr. Lazim Destani, who jointly enabled the statue of Fadil Sulejmani to be placed at the University that was founded by him along with other activists. “There is no greater honor than to address all of you today to thank you for the honor you do to my husband and your professor, Fadil Sulejmani. Fadil was a man of many friends, he always said that this University would someday triumph, and he succeeded! But for that I am grateful to all those Albanian friends and families who supported him in this mission. Fadil did his job very well and with great dedication, so that none of us could tell him that this job was not done, neither me nor the children, not even his associates. He always said, “I’ll win!” Even when he got cancer, he said, “I will win that too. Even this battle … How I won the battle of the university, how I did the university, and the cancer I will win! But he couldn’t. You have done a lot of honor today to Fadil Sulejmani, I would have been happy if he had been among us today, but he is not here. However, his work was not forgotten by people like Lazim Destani and Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, who together with the Senate of the University of Tetova initiated the to be named University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani”, because there are many universities in Albania that carry out the names of patriots and the University of Tetova will bear the name of its founder, the First Historical Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani. I am also very grateful to the population of this area who have always supported education”, said Haxhere Sulejmani.
On this event with occasion speech addressed the creator of the statue, Sadik Spahija, who said that for the work he has done is fortunate that has been entrusted to work on the statue of an educational activist that has left a mark not only among Albanians but all around the globe, as it is Professor, Fadil Sulejmani.
In the presence of many Albanian citizens from Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania, the Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, together with Lazim Destani, the wife of Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, Haxhere Sulejmani and many other political, intellectual, and social personalities unveiled the statue of Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani.
This event was concluded with a recital by the artist of the nation, Mirush Kabashi and the unveiling of a poster with the name of the University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani”, by the Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, the philanthropist Lazim Destani, Professor Haxhere Sulejmani, Minister of Education and Science, Arbër Ademi, Chairman of BDI, Ali Ahmeti, Mayor of Municipality of Tetovo, Teuta Arifi, former Rector, Prof. Dr. Nexhbedin Beadini, President of the Student Parliament, Eliesa Zhaku, and professor of the UT, Myqereme Rusi.
The monument was unveiled by well-known personalities, among them the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, a well-known Tetovo philanthropist and businessman, also the donor of “The Beacon of remembrance”, Mr. Lazim Destani, wife of Professor Fadil Sulejmani, Haxhere Sulejmani, President of the Student Parliament, Eliesa Zhaku, Professor, Myqereme Rusi, Minister of Education and Science, Arbër Ademi, Minister of Education and Science, Arbër Ademi, Chairman of Political Parties; Ali Ahmeti, Bilall Kasami, Vesel Mehmedi, Mayor of Municipality of Tetovo, Teuta Arifi, representatives of martyrs’ families, activists of the national cause, representatives of the Association of Political Prisoners, as well as former Presidents of the Student Parliament.
The central manifestation of the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the UT was held in the square in front of the Rectorate of UT, where it was made the inauguration of the statue of the founder, First and Historical Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani. To the participants with greeting speech addressed the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti. “Fadil Sulejmani lives and will live forever, in the most beautiful dream of every student, intellectual and citizen of our country and beyond. “Fadil Suleiman lives and will live forever, in the most beautiful dream of every student, intellectual and citizen of our country and beyond”, – began the speech of the Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti. “His determination, intellectual courage and manhood were virtues of his personality. He left behind a major enlightenment project – the University of Tetova, the most indispensable project for Albanians in North Macedonia and beyond. Professor Fadil, along with many other intellectuals from the cities of Tetovo, Gostivar, Dibra, Kicevo, Struga, Skopje, Kumanovo and all Albanian areas, in 1994 led the national mission to open the Albanian-language University – University of Tetova, the home of light and knowledge to hundreds of thousands of young people who were educated and are educated with a new perspective on life, the world, the nation and civilization. As an intellectual, he had understood the mission of the ideator to contribute to his compatriots in difficult times for the nation, despite the challenges and difficulties he had to face. He stood to the end, the ideal of educating the younger generations, despite being targeted many times by the ruling circles of the past, who by all means wanted to obstruct Albanian education here in North Macedonia. Professor Fadil Sulejmani has been honored with several awards by the University of Tetova, with which he has raised his name in the pantheon: along with the title “Honorary Rector of the University of Tetova”, awarded by the Senate of this University, on November 25, 2002, he was awarded also as the “Honor of the University of Tetova”, on December 17, 2002. Whereas on the 18th anniversary of its foundation, on December 17, 2012, the State University of Tetova, to the Founder and the First Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Fadil Suleiman awarded the title “Doctor Honoris Causa”. Professor Fadil Suleiman is the author of over than 10 books and over than 200 articles published in international scientific journals. He has made important contributions in the field of phonetics and spelling, in the field of grammar and lexicology, in the field of dialectology and ethnology. There are hundreds of published articles addressing such scientific issues, which are nevertheless part of his extensive biography. As one of the historical personalities, already part of the national pantheon, with his eternal work, to the Albanians of the country he gave them the light of education, the greatest project in the modern history of these lands”,- said the Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
The Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, informed the public about the decisions taken by the Senate of the University on this jubilee date. “Let me let you know that the Senate of the University of Tetova, at its meeting held on November 28, 2019, which coincides with our National Flag Day, made important decisions of educational and scientific activity, but above all historical decisions. In the aforementioned meeting dated November 28, 2019, with complete unanimity, the Senate of the UT made a decision to initiate the procedure for completing and changing the name of our University, from the University of Tetova, to the University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani”. On this occasion, on the initiative taken as a university, on 11 December 2019, through the Ministry of Education and Science, we have submitted a reasoned request to the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia to approve the new name. The initiative addressed to the relevant authorities, we hope, will be approved and will fulfill the long-standing desire and will of our students, professors and citizens to have this University baptized under the name of the University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani” and his work will serve as an inspiration to us and the generations that come after us. In accordance with the agenda, the University has consented to accept the donation from the Honoris Causa of the UT, a renowned businessman and philanthropist, Lazim Destani, for the inauguration of statue of the Founder and First Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, and the monument of “The Beacon of remembrance” that we inaugurate today as historical monuments that perpetuate the names of the activists of our national cause who gave their all for us to enjoy today. So let me conclude by saying a few words about the great friend of the University of Tetova, Doctor Honoris Causa of UT – businessman, humanist and philanthropist, Mr. Lazim Destani. I express gratitude for this extraordinary personality, who has been with the University of Tetova since its foundation and will remain so, until God gives it life. Continuous and extremely important contributions to the functioning of our University, Lazim Destani and his famous family company ECOLOG, today are crowned with the magnificent monument of the First historic Rector of the University of Tetova. Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, who from this moment will remain eternally in the courtyard of the University, to remind generations of future students,
the arduous battle of His founders and the great victory harvested not with guns, not with machine guns and tanks, but with the power of the invincible educated spirit – with pencil and notebook”, – said the Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
While the donor of the statue of the founder and the first Historical Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, the well-known Albanian philanthropist and businessman, Lazim Destani, was very happy that the University of Tetova has raised the personality and figure of its founder, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani. He said that during this quarter century the University of Tetova has faced many difficult challenges, but the ideal, will and determination of all those who supported this hearth of knowledge has been stronger. It was the student youth, the professors and the population of this area who gave strong support to the initiators of this project, the brave intellectuals headed by Professor Fadil Sulejmani – the First and historical Rector of the University of Tetova. The results and successes of this university over the past 25 years are evident, but the development and growth of universities is not over. So let’s continue to support and grow this temple of knowledge by keeping it alongside the best universities in the region and beyond. The growth and advancement of education means the growth, economic development and overall progress of a society. Today, when the statue of the founder and first Rector of the University of Tetova, Professor Fadil Sulejmani, is inaugurated in front of this university building, I have a special feeling of satisfaction, a spiritual fulfillment, because with this act we honor the most deserving figure for the foundation of the University of Tetova. With this act, in addition of honoring this figure, we honor generations of teachers and professors in these areas who, with unparalleled work and sacrifice, have dedicated their entire lives to Albanian education. There are many patriotic intellectuals who, in every generation, set up an Albanian University in these areas, had their ideal, had their biggest dream. On this occasion, I would like to thank the Rector, Vullnet Ameti, the distinguished academic staff, as well as the Senate of the University of Tetova, who welcomed as a gift these two works of art, the statue of the Founder, First Historical Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani and the lapidary “The Beacon of remembrance”. And I would like to express special thanks for the approval of my proposal that afterwards this university be named, University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani”, – said Lazim Destani.
The wife of the founder and first Rector of UT, Professor Haxhere Sulejmani expressed her gratitude to the Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti and philanthropist Mr. Lazim Destani, who jointly enabled the statue of Fadil Sulejmani to be placed at the University that was founded by him along with other activists. “There is no greater honor than to address all of you today to thank you for the honor you do to my husband and your professor, Fadil Sulejmani. Fadil was a man of many friends, he always said that this University would someday triumph, and he succeeded! But for that I am grateful to all those Albanian friends and families who supported him in this mission. Fadil did his job very well and with great dedication, so that none of us could tell him that this job was not done, neither me nor the children, not even his associates. He always said, “I’ll win!” Even when he got cancer, he said, “I will win that too. Even this battle … How I won the battle of the university, how I did the university, and the cancer I will win! But he couldn’t. You have done a lot of honor today to Fadil Sulejmani, I would have been happy if he had been among us today, but he is not here. However, his work was not forgotten by people like Lazim Destani and Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, who together with the Senate of the University of Tetova initiated the to be named University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani”, because there are many universities in Albania that carry out the names of patriots and the University of Tetova will bear the name of its founder, the First Historical Rector of the UT, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani. I am also very grateful to the population of this area who have always supported education”, said Haxhere Sulejmani.
On this event with occasion speech addressed the creator of the statue, Sadik Spahija, who said that for the work he has done is fortunate that has been entrusted to work on the statue of an educational activist that has left a mark not only among Albanians but all around the globe, as it is Professor, Fadil Sulejmani.
In the presence of many Albanian citizens from Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania, the Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, together with Lazim Destani, the wife of Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, Haxhere Sulejmani and many other political, intellectual, and social personalities unveiled the statue of Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani.
This event was concluded with a recital by the artist of the nation, Mirush Kabashi and the unveiling of a poster with the name of the University of Tetova “Fadil Sulejmani”, by the Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, the philanthropist Lazim Destani, Professor Haxhere Sulejmani, Minister of Education and Science, Arbër Ademi, Chairman of BDI, Ali Ahmeti, Mayor of Municipality of Tetovo, Teuta Arifi, former Rector, Prof. Dr. Nexhbedin Beadini, President of the Student Parliament, Eliesa Zhaku, and professor of the UT, Myqereme Rusi.
