17.11.2018 Ankara
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Economics and Technology University (TOBB ETU) 2017-2018 Academic Year Inauguration and 2018-2019 Academic Year Graduation Ceremony was hosted by TOBB ETU Board of Trustees Chairman and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu and TOBB ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Güven Sak the at TOBB ETU Sports Hall.
Speaking
at the ceremony, TOBB ETU Chairman of the Board of Trustees and TOBB President
M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they the seed they had sown have taken
root, that the work of Ersin Emre Ören of the Biomedical Engineering Department
in cooperation with two universities in the US have been published in the Nature
Nanotechnology Journal; TOBB ETU has become a university exporting technology
to the world.
Stating
that the project of which he is the boastful is TOBB ETU, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It
is of the utmost pride to have brought such an institution of learning into
being in Turkey. Because investment in education is the greatest service to the
country. As a Far East proverb says: If you think ahead one year, plant wheat;
if you think 10 years ahead, plant a tree; if you think 100 years ahead,
educate your people. That's what we aimed for with TOBB ETU. We wanted to nurture
young people of free ideas, consciences and wisdom. We aimed to bring a new
generation to our country; not one of rote memorization, but of research, technology
production and invention.”
Addressing
the graduates, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The magic word that brings you to today is
‘goals’. A person without a goal is like a leaf, broken away from the tree; its
direction determined by fate. Today, you all have reached your first goals.
There are many more ahead of you. I'm proud of you all. I wish you continued
success. Your parents made great sacrifices. They’ve brought you up to this
point. They went hungry so you wouldn’t; they fulfilled your every wish.”
Pointing
out that they are a big family as TOBB ETU, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Thankfully,
we are among the best young universities in the world today. According to the
Times Higher Education's data, ranking the Millennium Universities established
after 2000, the only university from Turkey is TOBB ETU. Every day, the
successes of our students, graduates and teachers make me prouder. They
represent us in the best way both in national and international arenas. We have
awards, success in graduate exams, graduates who work in world leading
companies such as Apple, Google, graduates who have received doctoral degrees from
the best universities in the world, and academics who represent us in the
world's most prestigious academic platforms. Most recently, the work of Ersin
Emre Ören of the Biomedical Engineering Department in cooperation with two
universities in the US have been published in the Nature Nanotechnology Journal.
The nano-scale bio-detector, which Ören co-invented with his team, will be able
to detect electricity from human DNA, enabling cancer earlier detection. As you
can see, the seeds we’ve sown have taken root. TOBB ETU has become a university
exporting technology to the world.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
emphasized that the key to success was to not accept being static and to be
open to change; urged the students and graduates to not lose their
entrepreneurial spirit after graduation.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
said that the entrepreneurial spirit was to bring innovation to the old village;
“Thanks to this, so far, 454 of not graduates have established, or partnered
with, 644 companies. TOBB ETU is an innovative and entrepreneurial university.
Today, you are the graduates of joint education, which is now spoken as a model
education system in our country. During your university education, you were in
the classroom and in the field. You learned both theory and practice. You know
the business world and, more importantly, yourself. Currently about 3,000
companies are participating in the system. Our graduates start their business
life with a year of work experience. This is one step ahead of their competitors.”
Stating
that they are beginning to harvest the fruits of this new education system,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “46% of our graduates get a job in the first month. I
repeat, almost one out of every two new graduates get a job in their first
month after graduation! 85% of our graduates find work within 1 year. This is a
record! What makes TOBB ETU’s young people employment champions is the fact
that they worked in their fields while studying at university. The joint education
program opens the doors of the world to our students. And not just in Turkey
but at many companies in America, Norway, Ukraine prefer TOBB ETU graduates.
For example, this year, a student will complete joint training at the
International Criminal Court. This is your success.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
also addressed the new students attending TOBB ETU and said, “After an intense
and exhausting process, you have succeeded in university exams and have become
a TOBB ETU student. I am telling you that you will work harder during your
education at TOBB ETU and you will get tired. While your friends are on
holiday, you will take exams. But when the time comes, like your seniors here
today, you will reap the rewards of your toil. When that day comes, you will be
glad to have chosen TOBB ETU. Welcome to TOBB ETU family.”
Hisarciklioglu
said that TOBB ETU has begun a new endeavor this year with the TOBB ETU
Business Community Scholarship Program aiming promote equal opportunities in education
by providing financial support successful students who need it.
Quoting
Bernard Shaw, “Those who do not speak their own language cannot learn another
language,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “My brothers in this hall have been studying
Turkish and have already received TOEFL documents. But don't let this be the
end of it. A new language means a new world. You took diction, entrepreneurship
and leadership lessons. In these times, those unable to tell their story cannot
succeed. I see it in business. New entrants are unable to express themselves.
They can't lead, they fail. Here, my brothers in this hall received training
according to the expectations of the business world. Our graduates will
understand the value of our university, now.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
also gave some advice, “Be honest. The trick is honesty. Never miss a chance to
take the initiative. Imagine, mark your target and try hard! Don't be afraid of
failing or making mistakes! I have something to say to my colleagues: Mistakes
can happen at work! The way to success is constantly learning. If you say you’re
complete in this era, you're wrong.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
asked the graduates not to break their ties with TOBB ETU, “Our door is always
open to you. Remember, you are part of the Union of Chambers and Commodity
Exchanges of Turkey family of 1.5 million people. In Turkey, every city you go,
you have a door to ring. You have the advantage of turning it into an
advantage. Always follow us closely with your university. Join the Alumni Association
and participate in the activities. Experience the spirit of TOBB ETÜ throughout
life. It’s not the transfer of know-how, it’s now the transfer of know-who.
Work hard for our country and our nation, without saying “I”, without
marginalizing anyone. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk says, ‘Great achievements come
about with the help of successful young people raised by precious mothers.’
Here they are. We trust you, we believe.”
Rector
of TOBB ETU Dr. Güven Sak also said that they have trained leading, entrepreneurial
and innovative students by taking into account the needs of the business world
and the conditions of global competition.
Former
Grand National Assembly Chairman Cemil Cicek presented plaques to the students.
At the end of the ceremony, the students celebrated their graduation by
throwing their caps.