An event titled 'My Greatest Work is the Republic' was held by Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services. Head of Medical Pathology Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek, participated in the event. Öztek, pointing out that the Republic is the most suitable form of governance for the character and customs of the Turkish nation, said; 'Our Republic is 100 years old and will continue forever.'
The event, held at Çarşı Campus Emirnebi 1 Conference Hall, was moderated by Lecturer Ayşe Bağlı, Head of Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services First and Emergency Aid Program.
“The Republic is the most suitable form of governance for the character and customs of the Turkish nation”
Head of Medical Pathology Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek, spoke about how an uneducated nation cannot escape slavery. He stated; “The Republic of Turkey will prove through its achievements that it is worthy of its place among the nations of the world. When Atatürk declared the Republic, he said: 'My greatest work is the Republic.' The Republic is the most suitable form of governance for the character and customs of the Turkish nation. The Republic was celebrated with enthusiasm throughout the country. It achieved great things in a short time. With the Treaty of Lausanne, the Republic of Turkey rose like a phoenix from the ashes of an empire. The Republic, established by Atatürk on October 29, 1923, came into being after a life-or-death struggle against the world's most powerful states. Today, our Republic is 100 years old and will continue forever. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk became a teacher to the state he founded. He showed our nation true modernity and way of life. An uneducated nation cannot escape slavery,” he said.
“The Republic expects generations with free minds, free consciences, and free intellects from you”
Öztek emphasized that it is the Turkish youth who will keep the Republic alive; “Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female pilot and first combat pilot trained by Atatürk, is also among those raised by the Republic. The Republic expects generations from you with free minds, free consciences, and free intellects. We founded the Republic; you will keep it alive. The Republic is a form of governance established by the nation, where the nation governs itself, the source of sovereignty belongs to the nation, and the head of government and state is elected. Atatürk said: 'Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation.' The primary goal in the Republic is democracy. The Republic is freedom, independence, the path to progress in all fields, and living a humane life. In the Republic he founded, Atatürk established democracy, secularism, the concept of a social state, the principle of the rule of law, and the notion of the supremacy of justice under today's conditions. Then he entrusted it to the educated, cultured, forward-looking, free-minded, free-conscienced, free-intellected, enlightened youth, saying: 'O Turkish Youth, your primary duty is to protect Turkish Independence, the Turkish Republic, forever,'” he stated.
The Greatest Treasure Atatürk Bestowed Upon the Turkish Nation: The Republic
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek underlined that Turkey must prepare much more excellent projects against those aiming to destroy itself. Öztek said; “Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk has left us an excellent country. This country, both in the past and today, due to its strategic location and its underground and above-ground riches, remains a target for dominant powers and exploiters. Turkey must prepare much more excellent projects against those aiming to destroy itself. Enemies of the Republic will melt away and vanish before the Republic's virtue, science, level of development, and intellect. Every individual benefiting from the blessings of this state and country, as citizens with free minds, free consciences, and free intellects, loyal to the unity of the nation, the glory of the crescent and star flag, the supremacy of democracy and justice, and the principles of secularism, will never forget their duty to protect and safeguard forever the independence and republic, which is the 100-year legacy of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The Republic is the greatest treasure Atatürk bestowed upon the Turkish Nation. It will remain its greatest treasure today, as it was yesterday, and in the future,” he stated.
“Üsküdar has taken great steps in the name of science on the path indicated by Atatürk”
Öztek, pointing out that Üsküdar University is determined and ambitious to rise above in science, culture, technology, and contemporary civilizations; “Atatürk always said to rise above contemporary civilizations, to work hard, that the future world would belong to the diligent, that the truest guide in life is science, and that an uneducated nation would be condemned to slavery, adding: 'If my words contradict science, do not value my words, but look to the words of science.' Today, Üsküdar University has taken great steps in the name of science on the path indicated by Atatürk. Our Founding Rector, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, as a scientist, shows great goals to our students with the slogan 'Your brain will change the world.' Our university's scientists are also rapidly striving for these goals. Our university is determined and ambitious to rise above in science, culture, technology, and contemporary civilizations,” he concluded.
The event concluded after a group photo was taken.