12.07.2014 Ankara
Attending the iftar dinner hosted by the TOBB ETU Alumni Association, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “That which suits you is to think big. Whatever you do, whatever position you are in, think big. Think big and act accordingly.”
TOBB President and TOBB University of Economy and Technology (TOBB ETU)
Board of Trustees Chairman M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the iftar dinner
held by the TOBB ETU Alumni Association (TOBB ETU MED) at the university
campus.
Hisarcıklıoğlu addressed the alumni, freshly returned from his US visit.
“I am joyed to be here among you,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu, “I see the
future of Turkey in you. Today, Turkey’s greatest advantage is its young
population. This is both an opportunity and risk for us. The way to turn this
into opportunity is through entrepreneurship. We must create entrepreneurs and
leaders from among us. I am filled with pride when I see entrepreneurs like
you.”
- “Each year we go higher”
Drawing attention to the list of the most enterprising and innovative
universities in Turkey published by TÜBİTAK, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We were at
the 10th place in 2012; 9th in 2013; 8th in
2014. Each year, we go higher.
In a survey conducted by Business Week with 16,000 students to determine
the most preferred universities, students were asked about the strongest
properties of various universities. Many universities were lauded for their
position and transportation. Our strongest property, on the other hand, is
joint education and the academic staff. This shows that we are on the right path.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have completed the 10th year
at the university and that they have conducted a vision workshop with the deans
of the university to discuss the second decade of the school.
- The TOBB ETU spirit
Reporting that there are very important duties which fall to the alumni
in order to bring the university to new heights, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu
went on, “We promote our university at every opportunity. That is why I urge
you to form the TOBB ETU spirit. In order to increase the institutional feeling
of belonging, wear this alumni pin and show pride in it. We must embrace our
university.”
- “Think big”
Providing advice to the alumni, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “You’ve taken steps
into life. Thinking big would become you. Whatever you do, whatever position
you hold, think big. Think big and act accordingly. Don’t act with tomorrow in
mind; think ahead 10, 20 years.
Do not be afraid to lose while doing this. Steve Jobs was fired from the
company he himself had established. He went on to make his company one of the
largest in the world. Walt Disney was fired from his first job for lack of
imagination and original ideas.
Never forget that you can fail. Think big because there is a very large
family behind you. Feel that power. Do you know what our greatest strength is?
It is this unity. We must show more unity at every opportunity. Do not be
afraid to ask for our aid. We will reach our goals together.”
- TOBB ETU MED planted a sycamore
TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu along with Rector Deputy Prof. Dr. Adem
Şahin, Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Tahsin Kesici and TOBB ETU MED Chairman Burak
Tolga Terzi watered the sycamore tree planted in the campus by TOBB ETU MED.
Afterwards, Hisarcıklıoğlu chatted with the alumni.