The Director of Koç University Vehbi Koç Ankara Studies Research Center (VEKAM Prof. Filiz Filiz Çalışlar Yenişehirlioğlu was honored with National Order of Merit (Chevalier dans l’Ordre )national du Mérite) for her contributions to the Türkiye-France academic and cultural relations. Prof. Çalışlar Yenişehirlioğlu received this prestigious award for her valuable contributions to the revitalization of academic partnerships, intellectual knowledge and experience and initiatives in the field of civil society between France and Turkey, as well as her research in Ottoman Art and Architecture.

Ambassador of France, Hervé Magro who presented the medal, mentioned Prof. Çalışlar Yenişehirlioğlu’s academic and administrative collaborations throughout her career and as a well-known specialist in Ottoman Art and Architecture, how she promoted this field in the world and in France. Margo also talked about Prof. Yenişehirlioğlu’s facilitation of research projects, the partnerships she has established between the universities of the two countries, her contributions to intellectual knowledge and experience and her initiatives in the field of civil society.