On July 2nd, the University of New York Tirana (UNYT), a distinguished institution under the Turkish Maarif Foundation, proudly held its Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024 at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. This momentous event celebrated the accomplishments of UNYT's 19th cohort of graduates and was attended by esteemed representatives from Albanian and Turkish institutions, academics, students, and their families.
The ceremony began with an opening address by UNYT rector Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş and was skillfully hosted by Assoc. Prof. Juna Miluka, Dean of the Faculty of Economy and Business. In his welcoming speech, Rector Ali Güneş highlighted UNYT's remarkable achievements and reaffirmed its commitment to becoming the leading university in the Balkans.
The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including:
Prof. Dr. Birol Akgün, President of the Turkish Maarif Foundation
Mr.Omer Faruk Yelkenci, Vice Minister of National Education of Türkiye
Dr. Ulsi Manja, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Albania
Ms. Keti Luarasi, Deputy Mayor of Tirana
H.E. Tayyar Kağan Atay, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Albania
Ms. Tuba Korkmaz, Director General of EU and Foreign Affairs
Mr. Abdullah Gülçimen, Member of the Board of Administration of UNYT
Mr. Mesut Özbaysar, Country Representative of the Turkish Maarif Foundation
In his address, Minister Manja emphasized the vital role of UNYT in fostering excellent friendships between Turkey and Albania. He highlighted the country's need for skilled professionals across various fields and commended the graduates for their achievements. "Today, you should feel proud to graduate from one of the country's most prestigious universities, the University of New York Tirana," he stated.
Deputy Minister Yelkenci expressed his view of UNYT as a shared value between Türkiye and Albania, meeting global standards. He noted that the deep-rooted shared history form the strong foundation of friendship between the two nations. He emphasized Turkey's commitment to strengthening educational ties with Albania through initiatives like the Maarif Foundation.
UNYT conferred degrees upon its 19th generation of students, including PhD, Master's, and Bachelor's levels. Thanks to a fruitful collaboration with the State University of New York, Empire State University, UNYT provided dual degree diplomas. Mrs. Francesca Cichello, the SUNY ESU Executive Director of International Education, presented these diplomas to the students.
The ceremony also featured speeches from other university representatives, members of Empire State University, faculty, and students. A documentary about UNYT was showcased, highlighting the university's achievements and contributions.
Awards were bestowed in various categories, including Best Master Student, Valedictorian, SUNY Distinguished Academic Achievement, Best of Majors, Excellence in Academic Research Award, Excellence in Teaching, University Service, and Best Social Media Award. These awards celebrated the dedication and commitment students, academics, and administrative staff exhibited.
Deputy Mayor Luarasi noted the significant contributions of UNYT graduates to the Tirana Municipality, expressing pride in seeing the city develop with such brilliant minds.
The University of New York Tirana has firmly established itself as a dynamic and multicultural center of excellence in higher education. UNYT remains resolute in its mission to educate the leaders of tomorrow.
Heartfelt congratulations to the esteemed Graduating Class of 2024 for their outstanding achievements!
