The University of Tetova, with a solemn ceremony, respecting all anti-Covid measures marked the 26th anniversary of its founding. In honor of this day, homage was first paid to the bust of the first and historic rector of UT Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani and the Flambeau of Remembrance to honor the contribution of every Albanian who has given to the national cause.
In the central manifestation, which was held in the amphitheater of the Rectorate, a large number of personalities from our country, the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Albania were present. After the intonation of the university anthem, the solemn academy was declared open by the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti. According to him, 26 years ago, on December 17, 1994, the first university in the Albanian language in our country was established – the University of Tetova. “This was a year of great historical turning point for higher education in the Albanian language. This date opened new perspective windows for thousands of young people and created opportunities for generations of students and professors, who undertook the noblest mission of developing education and science in our native language. The societies of the civilized world, which rise above the supreme values of freedom and democracy, have seen in universities human, civic and national progress. I believe that our University, with its work and activity of almost thirty years, has justified the expectations of our society, which has served with unparalleled devotion and dedication in the education and professional preparation of thousands of staff of different profiles. The countries of the Western Balkans have experienced periods of numerous antagonisms, clashes, conflicts and uncertainties. They have faced problems that did not serve the general peace and stability in the region where we live and work. The solution to these problems lies in emancipation and proper education. Only through them can differences, prejudices and obstacles between peoples and societies be overcome. We appreciate that the University of Tetova has made an undeniable contribution and has acted institutionally in the demolition of these walls, which for several decades blocked the development and progress of the country. The University of Tetova has built bridges of cooperation, rapprochement, understanding and exchange of different experiences instead of walls. At all times, for all situations, it is rightly stated that everything good that comes to humanity has its source in universities, which despite everything continue to remain the point of reference for a better future. In this precarious world, when humanity is plagued by a common concern and disturbed by the health challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, universities around the world have activated all educational and research capacities for the benefit of mankind. Even the University of Tetova, through the Faculty of Medical Sciences, academic staff, our doctors, since the first days of the declaration of the pandemic, was engaged in the first line of battle against the invisible enemy. Twelve other academic units, respectively our faculties, contributed in various forms, organizing online activities to raise public awareness to respect the measures against the spread of Covid – 19” said the Rector of UT Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
He further said that in this state of emergency we did almost everything for the educational-scientific process, not to be questioned even for a moment by carrying out a series of activities through the online version in order to keep distance and protect ourselves from Covid19.
According to him, in addition to the realization of the teaching-scientific process and other activities aimed at the development and modernization of this institution of higher education in the Albanian language in the Republic of North Macedonia, we have continued with capital investments in the general infrastructure of our University. “The last investment we have made is the reconstruction of the facilities of several academic units, namely: Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Food and Nutrition Technology, Faculty of Physical Education, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology and Faculty of Arts. This investment has completely transformed the academic, administrative and hygienic-sanitary facilities. This year, the Senate of the University of Tetova made a decision to accept the donation – construction of the resort “Twin Trees” in the park of the University of Tetova, by Mr. Servet Memishi. On this next anniversary, the University of Tetova has marked the houses, buildings of our fellow citizens in which the first lectures were held. By placing inscriptions in the houses (classrooms) where the first lectures and other activities were held, we express eternal gratitude to their owners for the contribution given to the realization of the educational-scientific activity of the University of Tetova until its officialization in 2004. For us, the leaders, professors and students of our University, unforgettable remains the contribution of the United States of America related to the key moments for the existence of this institution of higher education. Of course, here we must emphasize the support of the President of the Albanian-American League, Joseph Dioguardi, at the beginning of the first lectures of UT, in 1995. The contribution of the Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, Mr. Benjamin Gilman, who in 1996, he introduced Resolution 103 to the US Congress to guarantee the rights of Albanians of Macedonia and the official recognition of the University of Tetova. Another important moment in the Albanian-American relations has to do with the first steps of the international cooperation of the University of Tetova, which signed the first Cooperation Agreement with an American university, George Washington University, on February 10, 1995″ added the Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
At the end of his speech, Rector, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti said that for each anniversary of the University, we express our gratitude to eminent personalities from various fields, especially we feel obliged to honor personalities who have made a valuable contribution to society and support the University of Tetova over the years. “In this regard, our University has so far awarded the title: Doctor Honoris Causa, to proven personalities in various fields, while today this important title with motivation: for the extraordinary contribution and merit in the defense of the cause and national values, for the permanent commitment in defense of freedom, democracy and human dignity, for the orientation towards western values and for the permanent support of the University of Tetova, will be awarded to Mr. Ali Ahmeti. At the end of my speech let me emphasize that our University, is already walking towards the third decade, with the determination, vision and spirit of the revivalists and illuminists of our nation. This vision has its roots in the sacrifice of the martyr of Albanian education, Abdilselam Emini, other martyrs of the nation, the first generations, the eternal contribution of the founder and historical Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani, the coryphaeus of the Albanian nation, the man who sacrificed everything for education and knowledge. As such, he is the modern revivalist of the Albanians of our country and beyond”, concluded Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti.
The Academy for marking the 26th anniversary of the founding of the University of Tetova with his presence was honored by the Speaker of the Parliament of North Macedonia, Mr. Talat Xhaferi. He, in his capacity as Speaker of the Legislative Chamber, said that despite the difficulties and obstacles we face due to political clashes, we will continue to seek and change legal solutions in the field of education, having the door open for the contribution of professionals and students themselves to find the best possible solutions for our universities to keep pace with world universities. “During this, university autonomy will be the main guide, but, at the same time, we will consider the financial and personnel independence of universities because, there can be no real autonomy without having the last two. Professors and educators, honored lecturers at this university, your task is not easy and not at all naive, on the contrary, it is extremely noble and you are considered the parents of these young saplings and your dedication to them will give visible and measurable results that in the end they will be the reward that will honor you and your tireless work” – said, among other things, the Speaker of the Parliament of North Macedonia, Mr. Talat Xhaferi.
On behalf of the Government of North Macedonia, the participants were addressed by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Artan Grubi. He stressed that the laureate of the title Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Tetova, Mr. Ali Ahmeti is the last worthy heir of the spirit of the state-building ideologue and the national renaissance. “Such a personality with a whole life dedicated to the nation and equality, democracy and integration, education and development, rights and dignity, sacrificing himself for others, is rarely born by a nation. There is no better way to mark the anniversary of the University of Tetova than by honoring the leader of the process of legal and meritorious institutionalization of this temple of knowledge. I congratulate the Rector, the Senate, the academic staff, the students and all those who sacrificed over the decades for the erection of the castle of knowledge for honoring Mr. Ali Ahmeti with the deserved title Doctor Honoris Causa because by honoring him, we are honoring all the deserving” said the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government, Mr. Artan Grubi.
The central report with the justification for awarding the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Tetova to Mr. Ali Ahmeti was read by the Vice Rector for International Cooperation of UT Doc. Dr. Shefik Shehu. He said that the laureate Mr. Ali Ahmeti has been distinguished: for social and political activity for the benefit of the national cause; for his valuable contribution to national freedom and equality, social justice, the rule of law and justice; for a democratic and cohesive society, oriented towards Euro-American values; for the right historical, national and civilizing orientation towards the fundamental western values, which has been the vision of our elites throughout the Albanian cultural and political history; to promote peace in the country and the region; to promote ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious and political diversity as a civilizing and enriching value for free and democratic societies; for the continuous contribution to the development of democratic capacities in the country and the region.
“The motivation to declare him an honorary doctor of UT is driven by our respect, as an institution: for his outstanding contribution to the national cause; for the freedom of the people of Kosovo; for the advancement of the national and civil rights of the Albanians in the Republic of North Macedonia; for the continuous commitment in the integration of the country and the region in the Euro-Atlantic family; for the institutionalization and modernization of the University of Tetova, as a public institution of higher education. We appreciate that the University of Tetova has always been one of the primary issues in his vision, commitment and discourse since the beginning of his political activity in the Republic of North Macedonia”, emphasized among others Doc. Dr. Shefik Shehu.
While the decision of the UT Senate to award the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of UT to Mr. Ali Ahmeti was read by the Vice Rector for Education of UT Prof. Dr. Reshat Qahili. Rector of the University of Tetova Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, presented to the laureate Mr. Ali Ahmeti the diploma with the title Doctor Honoris Causa together with the flag and the big logo of UT as well as the portrait of the founder and the first historical rector of UT Prof. Dr. Fadil Sulejmani.
Then the laureate of the Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Tetova, the activist Mr. Ali Ahmeti addressed to those present in the auditorium. He said that this title and this honor given to his personality is dedicated to all those who have contributed to the opening and establishment of this university. “This honor and this title is given to Abdylselam Emini on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of his fall. To all the soldiers, patriots and missionaries, patriots, teachers and torchbearers of education who kept their souls alive by lecturing in the dark and in secret about the lost freedom and the innumerable sacrifices of our people and nation. It is dedicated to all our renaissances because they taught us “Only the light of knowledge will lead us forward”.
I didn’t prepare a speech today on the developments so far, because I thought it was better to remind all who did something for Albanian education. Ladies and Gentlemen, I came here to make another commitment before you, before the Albanians, that I will continue tirelessly in the establishment, advancement of Albanian education, in increasing the quality of Albanian education, in increasing the values and the infrastructure of universities, in their equipment because we are in the competitive century and today only with strong competition we can move forward. We have built the foundations, we have built the forts, but we must strengthen them, we must maintain them, because only with knowledge, only well prepared we can be worthy competitors in all fields. I pledge that you will find in me a strong partner in the field of education to push education forward and train new staff. Beautiful words and patriotism without cover are gone, today we must work, today we must build. Our deeds and work speak for itself now”, said Mr. Ali Ahmeti.
The Academy for marking the 26th anniversary of the founding of the University of Tetova was concluded with an artistic program prepared by professors of the Faculty of Arts, respectively our artists Mr. Blerim Grubi, z. Kastriot Tusha and Mr. Bajramali Idrizi.
