Kadir Fakaj

**Kadir Fakaj** (born 30 September 1954) is a Notoshan molecular biologist and former politician. A member of the New Notosha Party, Shima served as a member of the State Assembly from 2000 until 2004.

Fakaj has taught molecular biology at the University of Astina, University of Lirana, University of Keln, and King's University Munbach.

## Early life and education

Fakaj was born in Astina to parents Vallzor Fakaj (born 1927) and Lulushë Mala (1930–2009). His father was a physician, while his mother was a nurse. The family was considered to be wealthy, and Fakaj has recalled his childhood as "privileged." Fakaj is the eldest of three brothers; his younger siblings include Bregan (born 1956) and Aron (born 1960), both of whom are physicians.

Fakaj began his education in 1960, attending a private, primary school for boys in Astina, where he was a gifted student. He graduated from primary school in 1968, and afterwards enrolled in a private, coeducational secondary school. Fakaj graduated with his secondary school diploma in 1972, and enrolled in the University of Astina to study biology, graduating in 1975. After completing his bachelor's degree, Fakaj moved to Gortzman to enroll in the University of Gortzman. He received a master's degree in molecular biology in 1977, and his doctorate in 1981.

## Career

### Academia

After completing his doctorate in 1981, Fakaj was hired as a professor in the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Astina, where he taught courses on molecular biology in the Department of Biology. Outside of his teaching, Fakaj was also involved in Asbanian nationalist organizations at the university, and was one of a number of professors suspended by the university for harboring anti-Alaslavian sentiments in 1990; he was reinstated later that year along with the other suspended professors amidst widespread protests. In 1992, Fakaj left the university to move to Lirana and begin teaching at the University of Lirana. He was later elevated to become the department chairperson for the Department of Biology in 1997. Throughout the Notosha War (1997–2000), Fakaj was one of a number of professors who arranged for Notosha Asbanian professors to be hired as visiting professors at the university until the end of the war. He later took a sabbatical from teaching at the university in 2000, in order to begin his political career.

After ending his political career in 2004, Fakaj relocated to Keln to begin teaching molecular biology at the University of Keln. He left the university in 2008, and moved to Munbach to become a professor at King's University Munbach.

### Politics

In the aftermath of the war, Fakaj joined the New Notosha Party. He campaigned with the party ahead of the 2000 general election, and was included as a candidate on the party's list in Çelisekë District. He was ultimately elected to the State Assembly, and took his seat on 14 November 2000.

As a legislator, Fakaj voted with his party 100% of the time, and focused his legislating on environmental and educational issues. In June 2004, he announced that he would not stand for reelection in the 2004 general election due to his decision to return to academia.

## Personal life

Fakaj began a relationship with Notoshan psychologist and professor Këndella Dibra in 1982, after meeting as professors at the University of Astina. They became engaged in 1985, and married the following year. Fakaj and Dibra have three children together: Yllmir (born 1988), Gazlinda (born 1991), and Drita (born 1994). The family has resided in Munbach since 2008.

Fakaj is fluent in Asbanian, Lorbian, Ditrovian, and Lungarian.

 **Children** | 3