07.07.2024 Ankara
TOBB ETU gave its 2023-2024 graduates. At the graduation ceremony, TOBB ETU Board of Trustees and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu advised young people not to put limits on their dreams, to set goals in their lives, to work hard and never give up, to always try again.
In his speech at the
2023-2024 Academic Year Graduation Ceremony, M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Chairman
of the Board of Trustees of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of
Türkiye Economy and Technology University (TOBB ETÜ) and President of TOBB,
said, “2024 is the 20th year of TOBB ETÜ. Since its establishment,
TOBB ETU has rapidly progressed towards becoming a university that prioritizes
quality in education, innovation in research and contribution to society.
Today, the fact that it has become one of the most respected educational
institutions of our country is an indicator of the vision of the business world
and your success.”
- Advice to young people from Hisarcıklıoğlu
Stating that TOBB ETU’s
education model is still the first and only one among 208 universities in
Türkiye, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that TOBB ETU’s exemplary education model is
among the promises to be implemented in universities all over Türkiye in the
election declarations of political parties. Hisarcıklıoğlu said the following: “Investing
in education is the greatest service to the country. We aimed to raise a new
generation to our country without rote memorization, but a generation which researches,
produces technology and invents. Fortunately, today we are among the best young
universities in the world. Our scientific research programs are developing
rapidly, and the number of graduate and doctoral students and faculty members
is increasing rapidly.
Let me give you some
advice: Dream. Dream big! Remember, everything starts with a dream. Our
imagination is where we are most free. Set goals. Work hard and don’t be afraid
to lose. Each of you is ready for the new world! Bring something new to an old
village. Whatever you do, bring innovation to your work. Remember, times are
changing. This is the era of those who don’t leave life as they found it. Look,
in the next 50 years, more than half of today’s professions will disappear.
Artificial intelligence will be your biggest competitor. This is why we
established Türkiye’s first Artificial Intelligence Engineering Department. My
last piece of advice to you is to be conscientious in everything you do, in
every environment you are in. Be just. Work for a world where the right is
powerful, not the powerful is right. And be honest. Because honesty is the
trick. Whatever Türkiye has suffered, it has always suffered from being captive
to its fears, from seeing the friend next to it as the other. Therefore, do not
marginalize anyone because of their language, religion, identity, opinion or
sect. Of course, do not miss out on life. Travel, learn new cultures, never
stop reading and researching. Don’t get stuck in your comfort zone. Don’t rent
your mind to anyone. And be the hero of your own story, not someone else’s.”