While global value erosion brings loneliness, violence, and loss of meaning, Üsküdar University has been waving the banner of conscience, integrity, and virtue against the materialistic siege of the modern world for 11 years with its 'High Human Values Awards,' aiming to rebuild the core values that make humans 'human.'
In this process, highlighted by the warning of President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan that 'the heritage of human values is rapidly depleting,' the 24 Golden Values identified within the university serve as a beacon for the future of society. These values are: 'Justice, Compassion and Mercy, Honesty, Transparency, Courage, Empathy and Responsibility, Trust and Loyalty, Shame, Humility, Mutual Aid, Seeking Forgiveness, Greeting, Sincerity, Forgiveness, Generosity, Sacrifice, Gratitude, Pluralism, Participation, Liberalism, Accountability, Conciliation, Innovation, Loyalty.' 'Honesty,' at the heart of these values, is defined not just as an ethical rule but as the strongest shield protecting the mental health of youth and society.
Concepts like "Honesty" are the cement of social peace
These awards, continuously presented for 11 years by the Üsküdar University Selection Committee, are managed with an academic sensitivity unparalleled in the world. While success and technical skills are applauded in the Western world, Üsküdar University declares concepts such as 'Shame,' 'Loyalty,' 'Humility,' and especially 'Honesty' as the cement of social peace.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan's words draw attention: 'In the capitalist system, being self-serving might seem profitable in the short term; however, children should be taught that being virtuous and honest provides the only true benefit in the medium and long term. A society that loses the heritage of honesty has lost all its strongholds.'
President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan has been pointing to the same sociological truth at the opening of the award ceremonies for 11 years: Cultural Assault. According to Tarhan, the aim of this assault, ongoing for the last 200 years, is to dismantle the trio of 'common story, common ideals, and common values' that hold societies together.
11th Year's Role Models
The 11th ceremony in 2026 featured a list of names more vibrant and with higher social resonance than ever before:
Serap and Ümit Güler: The parents of world-renowned footballer Arda Güler, they were deemed worthy of the award for their 'value-based parenting' approach. Father Ümit Güler's observation, 'People love Arda not for being a good footballer, but for his character,' proved that success is lasting when crowned with ethics.
Taha Akyol: Honored for his uncompromising stance on the rule of law and historical perspective. In his speech, Akyol particularly drew attention to the loss of the 'sense of shame,' emphasizing the importance of these awards being given by the only institution in Turkey that provides systematic values education.
Nilgün Çiçek: With the extraordinary determination she showed in the educational life of her disabled son Muratcan Çiçek, she demonstrated to all of Turkey that motherhood is a 'heritage of human values.'
Dr. Ömer Demirbağ: Took part as an academician who contributed scientifically to the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage through his long-standing academic works in the field of Turkish language and literature, influencing the development of literature, language, and cultural awareness.
Taha Kılınç: Received the 'cultural awareness' award for his research on the Middle East and East Turkestan, dedicating his award to the Uyghur Turks and becoming the voice of the oppressed.
Prof. Zuhal and Acar Baltaş: Were selected for bringing psychology together with business life and ethical values, thereby introducing the 'conscientious success' model to the literature.
What happened in 11 years?
The 'High Human Values Awards' (YİDER), presented by Üsküdar University to honor individuals and institutions contributing to the development of social values, have brought together numerous academicians, artists, politicians, and volunteers to date. In ceremonies held over different years, names that served as role models for society through their lives and works were deemed worthy of the award.
In the inaugural awards; Mim Kemal Öke, Agop Kotoğyan, Fuat Oktay, and Hasan Can were honored, along with the volunteers of the Soup Kitchen Brotherhood Mobilization and Saniye Altakhan.
In the ceremony held in the second year, Doğan Cüceloğlu and İlber Ortaylı, among others, along with Hilmi Türkmen and İsmail Hakkı Turunç, were among the award recipients. July 15 heroes Ömer Halisdemir and Fethi Sekin were also commemorated at the ceremony.
In the third year, awards were given to individuals from various fields such as Gökhan Hotamışlıgil, İhsan Süreyya Sırma, Nuri Pakdil, and Hülya Koçyiğit, while the Amputee National Team was also deemed worthy of an award.
In the fourth year's awards, Ursula Sezgin received an award on behalf of Fuat Sezgin, along with Ferit Şahenk, Hamza Cebeci, and artist Mehmet Gürsoy.
In subsequent years, recipients of the YİDER awards included names such as Fahrettin Koca, Şadi Yazıcı, Hayrettin Karaca, Ioanna Kuçuradi, Muhammad Yunus, Sezai Karakoç, Cemil Meriç, and Gamze Özçelik. Additionally, non-governmental organizations like Tohum Turkey Autism Early Diagnosis and Education Foundation and Women Doctors for Education Support Foundation were also deemed worthy of awards.
The award list, which included names from the worlds of sports, art, and science such as Mete Gazoz, Özdemir Erdoğan, and İskender Pala, spanned a wide range. These award recipients represented different shades of the 24 golden values.
These awards are unparalleled in the world
The YİDER awards, regularly given each year by Üsküdar University, aim to make visible individuals and institutions that produce social benefit, contribute to humanity, and serve as role models. These award ceremonies of Üsküdar University prove that a university is not just a place that grants diplomas, but a 'school of life.'
The fact that these awards are unparalleled in the world is also a great gain for Turkey. The 24 golden values are not just Üsküdar's; they are humanity's common heritage. Üsküdar University, which has championed this heritage for 11 years, continues to leave the greatest treasure – a conscientious memory – to future generations with the goal of 'good people, good society.'
