11th President Abdullah Gül Joins the Official Opening Ceremony
Stating his gladness for witnessing the opening of the new academic year at the university named after him, 11th President Abdullah Gül said the best service is the one made for education.
The Opening Ceremony of 2015-2016 Academic Year at Abdullah Gül University (AGU) was held at the Conference Hall of the Rectorate in Sumer Campus.
The ceremony began with the playing of the National Anthem and a moment of silence. Afterwards, 11th President Abdullah Gül took the floor and talked about the importance of education.
"I am glad to be at the opening of the new academic year at the university named after me. In fact, this is not just a ceremony for the 2015-2016 academic year. We are celebrating two more beginnings. First of all, you have had your first master's graduate. Second of all, the very first honorary degree has been conferred. Hopefully in due course, we will also award undergraduate diplomas here. When this university was first established, we did not aim for an ordinary university, but wanted it to make a difference, compete and show that it is possible to establish an excellent university in the middle of Anatolia," Gül said.
Extending gratitude to everyone who has worked to establish AGU and helped it grow, Gül added:
"The best service is the one done for the sake of education." Stressing that Turkey needs to make the best progress in education in order to reach its goals, Gül also said, "No matter which country you take, it is seen that those successful at education, those with a strong education are always strong countries. Since Turkey is aware of this fact, all of us attach great importance to this matter. I remember that when I became the prime minister in 2002, the share of education in the budget was around 7 billion. Now there is a budget of around 100 billion. That is to say Turkey engages in significant activities in all parts of education. I hope that we will reap the fruits of these efforts."
Joining the ceremony with his spouse, Semra Sabuncuoğlu, Rector Prof. İhsan Sabuncuoğlu said Abdullah Gül University introduced a new choice for our higher education system by implementing "Foundation-Supported State University" model for the first time in Turkey.
Stating universities with their a-thousand-year-old history are entering a new phase in our age, Rector Prof. Sabuncuoğlu added:
"Instead of departments and faculties increasingly more detached from society and completely alien to each other; disconnected and independent education and research functions, today institutions are needed, which are integrated with the society, works in an interdisciplinary manner, and integrates education and research functions. At this point, AGU, as the pioneer of the new generation universities, approaches rapidly to its aim of being a modern university that not only transfers knowledge but also educates, researches, makes projects and shares those projects with the society."
After his speech, Rector Sabuncuoğlu presented his diploma to Mustafa Erkartal who became the first master's graduate of AGU by successfully completing Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Graduate Program in 2015, to which he was enrolled in 2013.
Afterwards, Prof. Michael Sorkin, Urban Planner and Architect, who is well known in the academic world and gives lectures in many important universities, made a presentation. In his speech, Sorkin mentioned problems and the future of the cities.
After Prof. Sorkin's presentation, Rector Sabuncuoğlu conferred the first Honorary PhD degree of AGU on Mr. Mehmet Özhaseki, Ak Party Deputy Chairman and Kayseri Deputy for his success in local government. Rector Sabuncuoğlu presented his diploma and gown to Mr. Özhaseki.
After wearing his gown, Mr. Özhaseki said in speech: "I would like to extend my gratitude to the esteemed rector and the senate for this ti
The opening ceremony of the academic year ended with the inauguration of the photography exhibition in the exhibition hall, which consisted of photographs taken by Warren Winkler, an American doctor serving in the American Hospital, established in 1887 in Talas (Kayseri), between 1959-67.
Mr. Gül and other invitees inaugurated the exhibition.
Additionally, Ahmet Balcıoğlu Guesthouse situated in Sumer Campus was also inaugurated by Mr. Abdullah Gül, 11th President of Turkey, Mr. Taner Yıldız, former Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Rector Sabuncuoğlu, Governor Orhan Düzgün, Mayor Mustafa Çelik, Mr. Mehmet Özhaseki, Ak Party Deputy Chairman and Kayseri Deputy, and his spouse Neşe Özhaseki, Mr. Mustafa Çıkrıkçıoğlu, Chairman of Abdullah Gul University Support Foundation (AGÜV) and other foundation members as well as protocol members and invitees.
Besides 11th President Abdullah Gül, Mr. Taner Yıldız, former Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Governor Orhan Düzgün, Garrison Commander and Major General İsmail Yalçın, Mr. Mustafa Çelik, Mayor of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, Mr. Ahmet Çolakbayrakdar, Mayor of Kocasinan District Municipality, Mr. Memduh Büyükkılıç, Mayor of Melikgazi District Municipality, Mr. Mustafa Palancıoğlu, Mayor of Talas District Municipality, Mr. Mustafa Çıkrıkçıoğlu, Chairman of Abdullah Gul University Support Foundation (AGÜV), Prof. Michael Sorkin, world famous American urban planner and architect, members of Abdullah Gul University Support Foundation, and many invitees from business and industry worlds joined the official opening ceremony of the new academic year.
After the ceremony, Mr. Gül and other invitees joined the ceremony for the opening and sapling planting in Ayşe Zehra and Ahmet Münir Gül Memorial Forest, daughter-in-law and son of Mr. Gül respectively.
Mr. Gül planted saplings here in the memorial forest together with the students of Abdullah Gül University.