Ahmet Çalık, the Chairman of one of the largest investor groups in Albania, Çalık Holding was awarded with "Honorary Doctorate" title of University of Tirana due to his "contributions to the national economy and public welfare of Albania". Ahmet Çalık, who took the "Honorary Doctorate" certificate from the Rector Prof. Dr. Dhori Kule in the ceremony held at the University of Tirana, stated that he never felt like a foreigner in Tirana or Pristine. "I am proud of coming to Albania years ago and investing on these lands with our companies." said Çalık.
Ahmet Çalık, Chairman of Çalık Holding, took one of the most meaningful awards of his professional life from Albania. After Matsumoto Dental University, University of Tirana rewarded Ahmet Çalık with "Honorary Doctorate" title, too. University of Tirana gave this title to Ahmet Çalık due to his "contributions to the national economy and public welfare of Albania".
A ceremony was held at the University of Tirana for this title given to Ahmet Çalık, who is the Chairman of Çalık Holding that is one of five largest investor groups in Albania.
The ceremony welcomed Albanian Minister of National Education and Sports – Lindita Nikolla, Albanian Vice Minister of Economy – Brunilda Paskali, Turkish Ambassador in Tirana – Hidayet Bayraktar, Rector of University of Tirana – Prof. Dr. Dhori Kule, Rector of Malatya Inönü University – Prof. Dr. Cemil Çelik, rectors of several universities in Albania, faculty members of University of Tirana, managers of Çalık Holding telecommunication, finance and energy companies operating in Albania and Kosovo, and members of Turkish media.
HONORARY DOCTORATE BY UNANIMOUS VOTE
Prof. Dr. Dhori Kule, Rector of University of Tirana made a speech at the ceremony held at the University of Tirana and reminded that this title was awarded to Ahmet Çalık, Chairman of Çalık Holding, by unanimous vote. "You set an example with the investments you made, the employment opportunities you provided and the social responsibility projects you carried out in Albania. And thus we are honored to award you with this title." said Kule. He also stated that they want to improve their cooperation with Turkish universities and wished this title to contribute to this goal. Lindita Nikolla, Albanian Minister of National Education and Sports thanked Ahmet Çalık for the technological progress achieved in schools with the fast and cheap internet service of Albtelecom of Çalık Group during their meeting before the ceremony. Minister also expressed their expectations for improved cooperation between Turkish and Albanian companies. Ahmet Çalık, Chairman of Çalık Holding thanked for this title and stated that he is honored to receive it.
Çalık said that he never felt like a foreigner in Tirana or Pristine. "Today's ceremony shows me that we are not foreigners, in contrast we are parts of this beautiful country. Thus I am proud of coming to Albania years ago and investing on these lands with our companies." said Çalık.
Çalık reminded that the business partnership, which began in Albania back in 2000s and continued in Kosovo, transformed into a sincere lifetime partnership in short amount of time. "If we really managed to contribute to the Albanian economy and public with these investments, and to take steps that fulfilled the needs of this country as our Rector had said, it means that we are already rewarded for our efforts." said Çalık. "Çalık Holding is currently carrying out its operations in telecommunication, banking and energy sectors in Albania and Kosovo. We led the way in many areas with our companies. As Çalık Family, we believe in reinforcing our success by sharing. And as Çalık Group, we always act with the goal and principle of bringing benefits to societies and people, and creating added value for the geographies that we are operating in. To this end, our companies carry out social responsibility projects, too."
Ahmet Çalık thanked University of Tirana through Rector Prof. Dr. Dhori Kule after stating that he is accepting this title as a sign of deep-rooted and strong Turkish-Albanian friendship and brotherhood.
Ahmet Çalık, who carries out successful projects with Japanese companies in Turkey, Central Asia, Balkans and Middle East for the past 25 years, was also awarded with the title of honorary doctorate of Matsumoto Dental University of Japan for his contributions to the improvement of Turkish-Japanese relations in May, 2014.
