A collaboration protocol signing ceremony was held between Üsküdar Üniversitesi and the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA). The signed protocol aims to revive the geographical region of Islamic civilization. During the ceremony, potential projects between the two institutions were discussed.
The ceremony held at the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) was attended by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies Faculty Member and IRCICA Director General Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, among others, along with Üsküdar Üniversitesi senate members and IRCICA members.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “This structure has great potential to contribute to world peace”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector and Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan delivered his speech at the protocol signing ceremony. Tarhan stated, “IRCICA has a deep-rooted history of 40 years, and during this period, it has carried out very important cultural studies in our civilization's geography. This structure, formed by 57 different states, has great potential to contribute to world peace. Today, the capitalist system has reduced human relations entirely to competition. Competition turns into a non-peaceful struggle between societies, and modernism's philosophy of encouraging consumption damages human relations. One of the biggest examples of this is the USA's policies on Gaza. This situation is a result of wild liberal policies. Precisely at this point, by presenting an institutional model, we can develop an alternative cultural approach to this system. If we approach modernization correctly, we can strengthen the consciousness of different cultures coexisting.” he began.
“It is very important to make democracy a culture in our civilization's geography”
Tarhan stated that they aim to create an environment where everyone can live together with their different views; “IRCICA is not just a research center but also a policy-producing institution. It plays a very important role in creating common institutions and ensuring institutionalization in our civilization's geography. In Eastern cultures, an oppressive management approach often prevails, which leads to serious reactions over time. For example, after World War I, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey emerged as modern Islamic countries. In the 1970s, the streets of Afghanistan and Iran greatly resembled Turkey's, but over time, while these countries radicalized, Turkey transitioned to democracy and established a system where different ideas could coexist. This is precisely why it is very important to make democracy a culture in our civilization's geography. Our university's four fundamental principles point precisely to this: accountability, libertarianism, pluralism, and participation. In other words, to create an environment where everyone can live together with their different views, without imposing ideas on anyone.” he concluded.
“Under the roof of IRCICA, we can develop projects that will strengthen the culture of coexistence”
Tarhan emphasized the need to revive the civilization's geography; “We have a very rich cultural heritage, and we must revive it in our civilization's geography. If we can make the culture of democracy a part of the Islamic world, we can also find solutions to the problems experienced in countries like Afghanistan and Iran. Currently, significant changes are also taking place in Saudi Arabia. Different approaches are observed in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Mecca-Medina. These transformations are part of the general change process worldwide. Under the roof of IRCICA, we can also develop projects that will strengthen the culture of coexistence. Our meeting today also provides an opportunity to evaluate this issue. On this occasion, I thank all our professors and the IRCICA team. Hopefully, we will all together achieve beneficial and beautiful works.” he concluded.
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “Scientific symposia to be organized will ensure this contribution becomes tangible”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör spoke at the signing ceremony. Güngör said, “We want to expand this collaboration further into different fields and departments. In my opinion, psychology would be a good starting point for this expansion. This kind of collaboration is significant not only academically but also in the category of social contribution within our quality studies. Because the work you do as an institute provides social benefit both nationally and internationally. It also has an important impact in terms of informing and raising awareness in society. When evaluated in this context, this collaboration will not only be limited to an academic partnership but will also facilitate social awareness, the transfer of knowledge, and the contribution of the two institutions' work to society. The scientific symposia and meetings to be organized will ensure this contribution becomes tangible.” she stated.
Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç: “We can produce excellent projects by bringing disciplines together”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies Faculty Member and IRCICA Director General Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç delivered his speech at the signing ceremony. Kılıç said, “We are continuously carrying out our activities. These activities also include signing agreements with institutions with which we can collaborate. We have made agreements with some universities. These agreements are of two types. The first is a general agreement, and the second is a detailed agreement made to implement this general agreement in a more specific project. Hopefully, today we will sign such an agreement with Üsküdar Üniversitesi. We discussed what we can do between the two institutions. For example, we can organize an international symposium on topics such as the development of the science of psychology in Islamic history or the history of psychology in Islamic societies. This idea emerged because Üsküdar Üniversitesi specializes in psychology. Our field, on the other hand, is history, art, and culture. By bringing these disciplines together, we can produce excellent projects.” he concluded.
Following the opening speeches, the signing ceremony proceeded.
The event then concluded after a group photo session.
