17.12.2014 Kocaeli
The Anatolian İmam Hatip High School built by TOBB in Çayırova, Kocaeli, was opened with the attendances of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Fikri Işık, Kocaeli Governor Hasan Basri Güzeloğlu, TOBB Board Vice President Halim Mete and Ali Kopuz as well as many guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hisarcıklıoğlu prayed for the grace of Allah
upon the school children victims of the attack in Pakistan.
The Anatolian İmam Hatip High School with 24 classrooms built by TOBB in
Kocaeli was completed and opened to students in only a year.
Pointing out that this was not their first investment in Kocaeli,
Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that they’ve constructed 252 earthquake resistant
residences since 2000; he went on to provide further examples of TOBB’s
mindfulness of social responsibility both domestically and internationally.
Stating that the most precious investment is the one made on education,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the investment made for people is the most beneficial.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that every investment has its own risks and losses
are a possibility, “However, investments on people, on education are never a
loss. To this end, TOBB has undertaken the 81 Provinces 81 Schools project to
build a new high school in every province of the country.
Stating that they must not only bestow technical and theoretical
knowledge on youth but also instill in them a connection with national,
spiritual and cultural properties, Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his belief that the
strongest force for change in the world is the pencil; that to save a person is
to save humanity.
- Minister of Science, Industry
and Technology Fikri Işık
Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Fikri Işık presented his
condolences for the deaths of 145 schoolchildren in Pakistan and stated that
terror has no language, religion or race. In regards to the day of mourning
declared in Turkey solidarity to the heinous attack, he went on to state that
Pakistan’s support during Turkey’s War for Independence was greatly
appreciated.
Kocaeli Governor Hasan Basri Güzeloğlu also emphasized the importance of
education which their beliefs are built on.
Following the speeches, Minister Işık, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu,
Governor Güzeloğlu, TOBB Board Vice Presidents Mete and Kopu, Kocaeli SO
President Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, Gebze TO President Nail Çiler and Gulf TO President
Mustafa Efe opened the school to students.
Protocol members toured the school afterwards; TOBB President
Hisarcıklıoğlu donated books to the library.