Double graduation joy and excitement are being experienced at Üsküdar University. The 7th Term Graduation Ceremony of the 2019-2020 Academic Year, which could not be held due to the pandemic, is being organized together with the 8th Term Graduation Ceremony of the 2020-2021 Academic Year. The face-to-face ceremony, held with pandemic measures, is taking place over three separate days. Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, addressed the graduates, stating that 21st Century skills are about collaboration. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Those who can collaborate well and adapt are successful and strong. The magic word is collaboration. Whoever collaborates well can make a difference.” Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized the importance of project culture, saying, “The biggest project is yourself. Your first project should be yourself. Rebuilding and restructuring yourself is very important.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “The biggest project is yourself”
Üsküdar University's 7th Term Graduation Ceremony for the 2019-2020 Academic Year and 8th Term Graduation Ceremony for the 2020-2021 Academic Year are being held at the Ümraniye Nation's Garden Event Area, presented by Şaban Özdemir and Ece Tözeniş.
Under the leadership of Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka, Vice-Rectors Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak, and Üsküdar University Senate Members greeted the students and took their places at the ceremony. In addition to Chairman of the Board of Trustees Furkan Tarhan, Founding Member of the Board of Trustees Mustafa Ataş, Member of the Senior Management Board and İDER Foundation Board Member Fırat Tarhan, many families also attended the graduation ceremony.
Plaques and gifts were presented to top-ranking graduates
Diplomas, plaques, and gifts were presented to the top-ranking undergraduate and associate degree graduates by Fırat Tarhan, Mustafa Ataş, Furkan Tarhan, Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak, and Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk. Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka presented plaques and gifts to Serap Akbulut, the 7th Term University Valedictorian in Psychology; and to Sara Yassine, the 8th Term University Valedictorian in English Chemical - Biological Engineering, and Feyza Remziye Tuncer, a graduate of the Public Relations and Advertising Department. Vice-Rector and Graduation Organization Coordinator Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy presented plaques and gifts to associate degree valedictorians Rabiye Demir (Medical Imaging Techniques), Mine Taban (Medical Laboratory Techniques), Fatma Tengiz (Anesthesia), and Banu Gündoğdu (Social Services).
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan Gowned Doctoral Graduates
Representing the institute graduates at the ceremony, Health Management Doctorate Program graduate Arzu Bulut and Psychology Doctorate graduate Hüseyin Koç were gowned by Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. During the first day's opening ceremony, the valedictorians affixed plaques to the school log; a flag handover ceremony also took place. The morning ceremony of the first day concluded with the reading of the graduation oath by Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur and the tossing of caps into the air.
Congratulatory Messages Sent
Messages sent by Vice President Fuat Oktay, CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Secretary General of the National Security Council Seyfullah Hacımüftüoğlu, Anadolu University Rector Prof. Dr. Fuat Erdal, TOBB University of Economics and Technology Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Sarınay, Bezmialem Vakıf University Rector Prof. Dr. Rümeysa Kazancıoğlu, and Manisa Celal Bayar University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ataç, who could not attend the ceremony, were read.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Our Graduates are Experiencing One of the Most Important Periods of Their Lives”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Chairman of the Senior Management Board Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated in his speech that precautions were taken during the ceremony held in the shadow of the pandemic, and that they experienced the joy and happiness of a double graduation simultaneously. Tarhan also expressed that the graduates are experiencing one of the most important periods of their lives.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “We Created a Theme Combining Health and Technology”
Emphasizing Üsküdar University's 10-year history and 25-year background in the field of health, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “We created an R&D focus in behavioral sciences and health, neuroscience, and engineering. When we were founded in 2011, we established a theme of integrating health and technology. The science of the future was heading in this direction. We are trying to realize this as much as possible. It was about multidisciplinary work, combining engineering fields such as computer software, industrial, and bioengineering. How accurate this was became evident when the topic of artificial intelligence was highlighted at the 2018 Davos meeting. Time has shown us that our action plan was accurate. In 2013, in collaboration with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, we organized a science and ideas festival. We are still continuing our festival. We also became pioneers in this field. Many similar festivals began to be organized after us. I must state that we originated the project idea for this. I cannot be modest about this.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that Üsküdar University has graduated 23,000 students, adding that a total of 13,763 students, including last year's graduates, graduated at this ceremony. He said, “Approximately 4,000 new students will join us in the new academic year. I thank them in your presence and congratulate each one. I also want to express that we feel the responsibility to provide them with an excellent education, God willing.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “We Implemented the Agile University Concept”
Tarhan stated that Üsküdar University adapted to the changing conditions during the pandemic within a very short period of two weeks, saying, “We collaborated with our lecturers. By immediately strengthening our infrastructure, we implemented the concept of an agile university. We were able to conduct synchronous, live lessons simultaneously. Instead of just sending videos, our lecturers participated in one-on-one live online classes even when they were at home. We tried to conduct our education without interruption. This year, we are starting face-to-face education. I would like to announce this good news. Classes will be held in a blended format, with 60% face-to-face and 40% online.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Face-to-Face Education is Essential”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that Üsküdar University's management, academic, and administrative staff published a “Fi-gitalization Manifesto,” saying, “We believed that distance instruction would exist, but education would not be solely remote. Instruction can be theoretical, but face-to-face education is essential. For education to be face-to-face, practical application must be possible. We tried to achieve this in the best possible way.” Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan added that the Faculty of Dentistry will begin education in the 2021-2022 Academic Year, and the English section of the Faculty of Medicine has also been opened.
Commemorated the Heroes of August 30th Victory Day
Referring to the August 30th Victory Day, which we celebrated two days ago, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “If we can gather here today, if we can graduate from university and hold a ceremony here, rest assured, we owe a great deal to the heroes who won the August 30th victory and suffered during those days. We owe them gratitude and thanks. We owe a lot to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the commander of our armed forces at that time, and his comrades-in-arms.” Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also noted that hidden heroes such as Fahrettin Pasha and Denizli Mufti Nusret Efendi, who contributed to winning the victory and the War of Independence, should also be remembered with gratitude and thanks.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Acquire Collaboration Skills”
Tarhan advised young graduates to acquire 21st-century skills, stating that the university aims to implement these skills. Tarhan said, “Instead of the old wisdom that 'life is a struggle,' the 21st Century skill is the understanding that 'life is collaboration and adaptation.' Those who can collaborate well and adapt are successful and strong. Crushing others does not lead to success. The magic word for this is collaboration. Whoever collaborates well can make a difference. We introduced this as a course in positive psychology and communication skills in 2013. In 2015, we saw that Harvard offered it as a course, followed by Yale in 2018, and Bristol University in 2019. Positive psychology is a 21st-century value. The ability to collaborate is important in both professional and private life. We always emphasize that life is lifelong learning.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Your First Project Should Be Yourself”
Emphasizing the importance of project culture, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that they aim to teach project culture to their students, saying, “Your first project should be yourself. The biggest project is yourself. Rebuilding and restructuring yourself is very important. What is in a project? There is a logical goal, and a roadmap is drawn. Everything is planned accordingly and proceeds within a logical framework. Life is also a project. You must have a good project. Finally, you must have a goal pyramid in life. There should be abstract goals here. How do you want to be remembered at the end of your life? You should not forget these.”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan: “As Women of the Republic of Turkey, We Are Coming with a Roar”
Delivering the opening speech at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Diploma Ceremony held on the first day, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan stated that the majority of students graduating with honors were women, saying, “As women of the Republic of Turkey, we are coming with a roar. This is very important. We will leave our mark everywhere.”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan: “Only Those Who Walk Arrive”
Prof. Dr. Arıboğan noted that the furthest point reached by humans is the moon, and the distance between Earth and the moon is 360,000 kilometers. She said, “A person can reach the moon by walking if they take 20,000 steps every day within an approximate 70-year lifespan, meaning we can go to the moon if we head upwards. The deepest point on Earth is the Mariana Trench, which is 11,000 kilometers deep. We can reach there in just two years by taking 20,000 steps a day. Why did I tell you this? For two reasons. There is no end to where we can reach by walking. It is not certain that everyone who walks will arrive, but only those who walk arrive. Therefore, we must keep walking. This is not an end, but a beginning. From now on, you need to continue walking with greater perseverance and determination for a longer time. Second, you will decide where to walk. You either walk towards the sky or towards the bottom of a pit. This shows what you aim for in life. Moreover, be very sure that walking towards the pit is much easier, it only takes two years. Walking towards the heights is much harder; you need to put in a lot of effort. But ultimately, where you go is where you aim. Will you aim for the pit or the sky? You will decide this. My final advice to you: Just aim. Aim for your harbor well, and they say a person is what they build of themselves. You are all your own sculptors.”
Prof. Dr. Şefik Dursun: “Strive to Be the Best”
In the afternoon session of the graduation ceremonies, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Şefik Dursun also addressed the Faculty of Health Sciences Diploma Ceremony, congratulating the students and their families who graduated during a difficult period like the pandemic. Prof. Dr. Şefik Dursun said, “We conveyed as much as we knew to our students. We made them do as many practical applications as we could. My dear children, you don't know everything when you graduate from here. We taught you what we knew. However, you will encounter many different events in life. In this situation, you will gain new experiences. Everyone should do their job well. Strive to be the best.”
Graduates Sent Off with Three-Day Ceremonies
The 7th Term Graduation Ceremony, which could not be held last year due to the pandemic, and the 8th Term Graduation Ceremony, encompassing this year's graduates, are being held together with pandemic measures. On the first day's ceremony, ceremonies for institutes, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Health Sciences were held. Diplomas were presented to the graduates. On the second day, the 1st Ceremony for the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Communication, and Vocational School of Health Services will be held. The Graduation Ceremony will conclude on the third day with the diploma presentations for graduates of the Vocational School of Health Services.
The Youngest Üsküdar Graduate
At the graduation ceremony, which took place with great enthusiasm, some graduating students received their diplomas with their babies. The tiny baby, who attended the Faculty of Health Sciences Ceremony with its mother, became the center of attention for the lecturers with its specially tailored gown. The graduation ceremony is also being broadcast live on Üsküdar University's ÜÜ TV and Üsküdar University's official YouTube page.
