Mehmet Gültekin, the founder of Tarabya British Schools, was awarded Doctor of Education (Hon.EdD ) by the University of Bolton, United Kingdom. He has been nominated for an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Education in accordance with the ordinances for the Degree. The award of a Higher Doctorate is the highest academic distinction available within any UK university.

There were emotional moments during the Hon.EdD Ceremony held at the University of Manchester. In his speech during the ceremony, Prof. G.E. Holmes DL, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University, pointed out that Dr. Gültekin is a "true pioneer of education" for his contributions to shaping the international educational environment, and also emphasized his global support for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Foundation.

In his speech during the ceremony, Dr. Mehmet Gültekin stated that he was proud to receive a "Doctorate" degree as an educational entrepreneur and expressed his feelings as follows; “ Receiving this doctorate is a moment of immense pride and joy for me. My passion is for young people and to help them get ahead in life, especially those that are less fortunate than others. 

We have a very young country in Türkiye; 40% of the population is under 24 years old, many of them dream of a better life, we will continue to support them in achieving their dreams. The importance of UK education system in the world is huge, and for over 20 years now I have tried to be a bridge to connect bright young minds from different cultures so we can all have a better future. Our work in Türkiye is a testament to what can be achieved when you dare to imagine and have the courage to implement those ideas. This great honour is not just for me; it is for all those who believed in the vision, who contributed their time, talent, and passion to bringing it to life. I am deeply thankful for the opportunities I’ve had, the challenges that have made me stronger, and the successes that have been all the more special for their difficulty. Your acceptance and recognition are what drives us to keep innovating and striving for better.  Thank you again for this honour, and here’s to a future of continued innovation and success.”