The University of Tetova, today, marked the anniversary of its first lectures with the organization of several activities. Initially, the university leadership, led by the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, and the President of the Senate, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, paid homage to the bust of the Albanian education martyr Abdylselam Emini. They commemorated his work and the sacrifices of the Albanian population for the university in the Albanian language. After that, homages were also paid at tomb of the founder, the first and historical Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, as a sign of respect and appreciation for his life and work. A visit was also made to the Historical Museum of the University in the village of Poroj, where precisely on February 17, 1995, the first lectures of this temple of knowledge began.

At the central academy dedicated to the first lectures, the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, expressed that the establishment of the University of Tetova is a significant historical event as it has marked a turning point in our lives. According to him, this event has influenced and continues to impact the ongoing social, national, educational, scientific, cultural, spiritual, and intellectual progress of our citizens. “The establishment of the University of Tetova was a decisive and historic step by the Albanian intelligentsia in Northern Macedonia to address the issue of higher education in the Albanian language. This decisive step deserves our eternal respect. On February 17, 1995, the first lectures at the University of Tetova took place in Poroj, Tetovo. On the same day, in Mala Rechica (Reçicë e Vogël), the beginning of the lectures was also accompanied by a cibfribtation between the residents and the police,which ended with a tragic balance, with many injured, imprisoned and the fell of the martyr of education in Albanian language Abdylselam Emini, a name that will be forever remembered. The people eager for knowledge, was present in Poroj and Mala Rechica (Reçicë e Vogël), were defending the University despite obstacles, despite the violence exerted on Albanians by the authorities of the time. As many times in history, this time as well, it was demonstrated that obscurantism, sooner or later, loses the battle against the light of progress. This event marked a historic turning point for the Albanians, who proved to be unwavering in their demands for education in their mother tongue. This day will remain etched in our collective memory forever. It will be marked as the beginning on the road to freedom and progress.” – said the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli.

He also spoke about the achievements and opportunities that our University offers to students, opening the way to knowledge. “Thirty years later, the University of Tetova strongly reflects in the lives of our citizens. This university prepares young people not only to contribute to local and regional institutions but also to international ones. It opens up prospects for young men and women to achieve more in their professional lives. The University of Tetova has achieved significant, visible, and indisputable successes in the fields of education, science, and culture. It has strongly influenced social developments, opening a new perspective for Albanian society in North Macedonia. The University of Tetova, despite the numerous obstacles accompanying its establishment, managed to realize its primary mission – that of education, science, and culture. It achieved to fulfill its objectives and to establish itself as a prestigious public university within the educational system of North Macedonia.” – emphasized, among other things, the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli.

The Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Prof. Dr. Berton Sulejmani, presented a paper on this special date, providing a retrospective overview of the events, challenges, barriers, sufferings, and efforts made to establish the University of Tetova. He quoted a sentence from the writer Sami Frashëri, who said, “A man is made eternal by his deeds.” According to him, Professor Fadil Sulejmani is a name forever linked to UT, and, of course, the University will miss him for life. “Universities are eternal, so the University of Tetova will always remember and honor its First Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani because he fought with determination for us to have a University today. Universities have never brought damage to societies, on the contrary, they open their eyes, while the UT is the biggest project of the Albanians of these regions to date. Dear students, “The opportunity to learn is the most precious gift you can be given.” – Albert Einstein, while being a student of this temple of science, art and knowledge in general, is a privilege, because today our University has turned into a giant, which counts 13 faculties, hundreds of study programs, hundreds of cooperation agreements with universities from the country, the region, Europe and the world, organizes congresses and publishes scientific journals indexed on international platforms and with over 12-13 thousand students. For the Albanians in North Macedonia, our centuries-old pride and hope remain.” – emphasized, among other things, the dean of the Faculty of Philology, Prof. Dr. Berton Sulejmani.

In his paper, the Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Prof. Dr. Berton Sulejmani, also extracted the anthological words of the founder and the first Rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, which will leave an indelible mark in the memory of every Albanian.

“WE WANT A PEN, WE WANT TO WRITE. WE DON’T WANT WEAPONS. We have chosen the path of education. The path of education is the path of peace, prosperity, and stability for Macedonia, and this will prevail. We will build a common future. Therefore, there is no reason for anyone to be afraid of education, of schools. Please, once again, calmness, composure, take no action, let the students continue their classes with the professors, and then disperse!” – were the words of the founder and the first Rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, highlighted by the Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Prof. Dr. Berton Sulejmani.

This event was concluded with some artistic performances by Professor Besiana Mehmedi from the Faculty of Arts, accompanied on the piano by Shkëlzen Baftjari.