Üsküdar University's “10th High Human Values Awards” Find Their Recipients!

The High Human Values Awards, given by the Üsküdar University Senate Selection Committee to individuals and institutions recognized as exemplary in their fields by the public, with the aim of upholding 24 golden values, found their recipients for the 10th time.

This year, the High Human Values (YİDER) Awards, presented for achievements that leave a mark, provide benefits, and create value in the fields of sports, current affairs, finance, literature, education, and science, were given to Fatma Şahin, Özdemir Erdoğan, Ahmet Çalık, Jenny Molendyk Divleli, Mehmet Yıldız, İskender Pala, Board Members of Tohum Autism Foundation, Prof. Dr. Yunus Ali Çengel, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeliha Bürtek.

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Üsküdar University, drew attention to the erosion and degradation of values. Emphasizing that the decay of values is a social cancer, Tarhan added that there can be no global peace without high human values. Tarhan also underlined that conscience is a very important value.

Stating that they want to offer the intellectual potential of the university in service of humanity, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör said, “Because here we are educating the youth who come to us. At the same time, we want to send them into society as philanthropists, aware of their own humanity and human values.”
 

Üsküdar University annually presents the “High Human Values Awards” to individuals and institutions deemed worthy by the Üsküdar University Selection Committee, with the aim of upholding 24 golden values such as Justice, Honesty, Compassion and Mercy, Transparency, Courage, Empathy and Responsibility, Trust and Loyalty, Shame, Humility, Mutual Aid, Seeking Forgiveness/Reconciliation, Greeting, Sincerity, Forgiveness, Generosity, Sacrifice, Gratitude, Pluralism, Participation, Libertarianism, Accountability, Conciliation, Innovation, and Loyalty. 

Important Names Were Awarded…

This year's Üsküdar University 10th High Human Values (YİDER) Awards Ceremony was held at the Ibn Sina Auditorium of Üsküdar University NP Health Campus. At this year's ceremony, the awards were presented by Rector's Advisor Halide İncekara to Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Zehra Ünal, on behalf of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, who works to increase women's participation in politics in Turkey and supports various projects for women's employment, family unity, and continuity.

The award for musician Özdemir Erdoğan, who contributed to Turkish music by using jazz, Turkish folk music, Turkish classical music, Turkish pop music, and Anatolian rock styles with his music education from an early age, was presented by Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. The award for businessman Ahmet Çalık, who as an entrepreneur and leader made significant contributions to both Turkey's economic growth and its promotion in international markets, and initiated important projects in the field of education, was presented to Mr. Mert Turgut Çalık, Board Member of BKT Albania and BKT Kosovo, on behalf of Ahmet Çalık, by Fırat Tarhan, Board Member of Üsküdar University Tarhan Foundation. The award for author Jenny Molendyk Divleli, who, after embracing Islam and becoming Muslim, has been working with her children to introduce Islam and Prophet Muhammad, and contributes to children's proper understanding of Islam by writing books for them, was presented by Özcan Demir, Head of Health, Culture, and Sports Department, and Sadık Paksoy, Manager of Health, Culture, and Sports Department. The award for author Mehmet Yıldız, who provides in-depth information on Islam, personal development, and various aspects of life by organizing talks and conferences on religious and spiritual topics on the channel 'Hayalhanem', was presented by Rector's Advisor Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka. The award for author İskender Pala, who made significant contributions to Turkish literature by blending history, literature, and culture in his works, and transmits the origins and meaning of Divan poetry to younger generations, was presented by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel. The award for Tohum Autism Foundation Board Members, represented by General Manager Burçak Karakaya, who founded the non-profit Tohum Autism Foundation to support the early diagnosis and education of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and through the foundation, facilitates access to early diagnosis, education, and rehabilitation services for individuals with autism, thereby supporting their integration into society, was presented by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak. The award for Prof. Dr. Yunus Ali Çengel, a pioneering figure who contributed to projects in the field of energy systems with his academic work and to modern engineering education, was presented by Rector's Advisor Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış. The award for academician Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeliha Bürtek, who meticulously addresses issues such as social insensitivity, alienation brought by individualism, ethical erosion, and loss of values, and inspires concrete steps to prevent social decay, was presented by Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör. 

Nevzat Tarhan: “Are We Heading Towards a Society of Violence as a Community?”

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Üsküdar University, recalled two incidents reflected in the media, stating that in Kars, a specialized sergeant killed someone for “looking at him wrong,” and in Kadıköy, a 15-year-old was killed by peers for saying “excuse me, brother.” He continued, “Why are these happening? Why are they increasing? Are we, as a society, heading towards a society of violence? While seeking answers to all these questions, our emphasis on values comes to the forefront. What happens? Some things erode, disappear, wear out, and when they degrade, negativity accumulates in the collective memory. Trust in societal relationships weakens. Wrong values take their place. Individual benefit takes precedence over true societal benefit. Self-interest comes to the fore. And as a result, what happens? A small spark ignites a fire.”

“Values of Younger Generations Are Changing”

Pointing out that humanity is currently experiencing serious difficulties in the world, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Perhaps World War III will not happen physically. We don't think it will. But in an era of nuclear warheads, everyone is now afraid of major wars. Psychological warfare methods are being applied. Methods of voluntary imperialism are being applied. Colonialism continues in this way by changing its form. And what gets worn out the most are human relationships, younger generations. The values of younger generations are changing. When younger generations are asked ‘what are values?’, they say ‘Pleasure and success’.”

“There Is Much Injustice in the World”

Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the understanding of “You work, I'll eat” and “Let the snake that doesn't touch me live a thousand years” is becoming widespread among younger generations, indicating an erosion of values. He continued, “You see the current events, the Gaza events. There is much injustice in the world. Against this, there is indifference, silence in the face of evil, and desensitization to evil. This is one of the reasons for the increase in evil. There's even a saying by Dante: ‘The deepest places in hell are reserved for those who remain silent in the face of evil.’”

“Where There Is No Communication, People Become Selfish, Egocentric”

Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that they are teaching positive psychology and communication skills courses to students for the first time in Turkey. He stated, “If you examine the content of this course, it is entirely about enabling young people to learn human values there, with scientific methodology, various modules, and various psychodramas. Being honest, not lying, transparency... All these need to be taught. For values to thrive, people also need to know how to establish healthy communication. Where there is no communication, people become selfish, egocentric, they become self-centered. And where they become self-centered, they turn into a cancer cell.”

“The Decay of Values is Social Cancer…”

Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that people whose values have degenerated are like cancer cells. He said, “The decay of values is social cancer. It rots, it rots, it rots society. Look at the fall of Rome. Rome was the sole superpower. But when the reason for its collapse is investigated, one sees an increase in self-indulgence, selfishness, hedonism, and cruelty in its later periods.”

“Without High Human Values, There Will Be No Global Peace”

Pointing to the ongoing trade wars, Prof. Dr. Tarhan continued:

“It seems we will experience very interesting things as a result of erroneous decisions caused by serious value degradation and extreme power blindness. But in such situations, someone needs to warn, ‘This is right, this is the direction, this must be!' The biggest obstacle to values thriving in society here is hopelessness and pessimism. Looking at this social degradation, erosion, and decay of values in society, one should not say, ‘This country, this humanity will not get better, it will get worse.’ When we look at the order in the universe, there will be no global peace without high human values. I believe that after the negative consequences of evil begin to appear, we will move into a period of rising good and beauty.” 

“Conscience Is a Very Important Value”

Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that when values erode in society, trust also weakens. He said, “When trust weakens, people don't trust each other. ‘Yan baktım’ (looking at someone wrong) is a phrase in Turkish, referring to a situation where a conflict arises due to a perceived hostile glance. Underlying the conflicts that arise from such perceptions is mistrust. Because people don't trust each other, they perceive every event as a threat. They start giving disproportionate and excessive reactions.”

Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that values must be kept alive to prevent the rise of new Hitlers. He said, “The critical thinking course prevents people's selfishness. It teaches them to know their own limits. It teaches people to know their place. In other words, where there is criticism, human maturation emerges. The most important quality that makes a human being is not their good intention. The most important quality that makes a human being is accountability. That is, accountability to society, to others, to laws, to social norms, to the norms of conscience. Here, conscience is a very important value.”

Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “As Humans Approach Materialism, They Drift Away from Themselves”

In her opening speech, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör noted that in today's world, where the capitalist system is deepening, humanity is drifting away from itself as it approaches materialism. She said, “As humanity valued matter, and as matter became the rising value, humanity gradually became a disappearing value. It is increasingly suffering a loss of values. Therefore, we want to remind this, we want to create awareness on this issue. Scientists, intellectuals, and enlightened individuals in society have such a duty. Since the enlightened individuals in society are indeed enlightened, they are societal leaders. Since the enlightened individuals are opinion leaders of society, then if things are going wrong on behalf of humanity, on behalf of society, the primary duty of the enlightened here is to emphasize these wrongdoings and to set the course straight, or at least to contribute in some way to the regularization of the course. If the enlightened do not do this, we cannot expect it from anyone else.”

“Humanity Is Not on a Very Good Path Today”

Prof. Dr. Güngör also stated that they want to offer the intellectual potential of the university in service of humanity. She said, “Because here we are educating the youth who come to us. We are not just training these young people for a profession. At the same time, we want to send them into society as philanthropists, aware of their own humanity and human values. Because every young person educated here will contribute to society when they leave the university's doors. Not just with knowledge, not just with professional skills, but we also want them to contribute to society as individuals. Humanity is not on a very good path today.”

Award Recipients…

Rector's Advisor Halide İncekara presented the award to Deputy Mayor Zehra Ünal on behalf of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin. Zehra Ünal said, “We have approximately 2.5 million residents, and 500,000 Syrians. This is not a 10-15 year issue. Aleppo is our sister city. We have always been in relations. As a municipality, foundation, NGOs, universities, and in coordination with the governorship, we gave a very important lesson in humanity to the world. We live like brothers and sisters with 500,000 Syrians. Yes, there were small incidents, but we never experienced an event that reached a crisis level.”

Family Academy Became a Resource for Gaziantep

Stating that they established the Family Academy in Gaziantep, Ünal said, “The Academy was founded based on the great efforts, guidance, and data provided by our professor Nevzat Tarhan. Currently, in the Gaziantep region, the birth rate is 2.1. The Family Academy has become a resource for Gaziantep in terms of psychotherapy, psychological counseling and guidance (PDR), and social services.”

Özdemir Erdoğan: “What Matters Is Being Awarded While Alive…” 

The award for musician Özdemir Erdoğan was presented by Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. Özdemir Erdoğan, stating that one of the greatest awards in the world is receiving recognition for what one has done throughout life, continued:

“Especially to achieve this while alive, in my opinion, is one of the greatest awards and greatest joys in the world. For some, the peak of an artist's life is after death. Like the saying 'a blind man dies and becomes almond-eyed'. But what matters is being awarded while alive. Because our ancestors wisely said: 'Skill is subject to praise.' Here, of course, I want to express my sincere thanks to Üsküdar University for its privileged distinction. In this regard, I am very happy today. Because I received the praise and award of special people. I extend my sincere thanks to the entire management, especially Professor Nevzat, and to this institution.”

Ahmet Çalık's Award Given to Mert Çalık

The award for businessman Ahmet Çalık was presented to Mert Çalık by Fırat Tarhan, a Board Member of Üsküdar University and Tarhan Foundation. Mert Çalık thanked for the award and stated that they would make significant investments in education, technology, and science through the foundation. 

Author Jenny Molendyk Divleli: “We Should Ask Ourselves, Which Values Are We Trying to Protect?”

The award for author Jenny Molendyk Divleli was presented by Özcan Demir, Head of Health, Culture, and Sports Department, and Sadık Paksoy, Manager of Health, Culture, and Sports Department. Divleli expressed her thanks for the award, stating that she received it not only for her past work but also for her future endeavors, saying, “Today is a time of wars, genocide, and oppression. We must ask ourselves, which values are we trying to protect?”

Author Mehmet Yıldız: “We Have Some Dreams”

The award for author Mehmet Yıldız was presented by Rector's Advisor Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka. Speaking at the ceremony, Mehmet Yıldız said, “We have some dreams. We have started a large campus project in Mersin. We certainly invite you to help diversify these efforts.”

Author İskender Pala Also Deemed Worthy of the High Human Values Award

The award for author İskender Pala was presented by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel. İskender Pala said, “While the listed High Human Values were being read, I checked them in my mind. I wondered how many of them I carried. I realized I carried 21 of them and was grateful.”

“There Are Over 2 Million Individuals with Autism in Our Country”

Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak presented the award to General Manager Burçak Karakaya on behalf of the Tohum Autism Foundation Board Members. Burçak Karakaya, “For children with autism, we primarily try to explain the importance of early diagnosis. Because special education starting with early diagnosis shows nearly a 50% success rate in helping these children adapt to life, which is very, very valuable. Recent research worldwide shows this: one in every 36 newborns is diagnosed with autism. This is a neurological developmental difference. When we apply this statistic to Turkey's population, there are over 2 million individuals with autism in our country. 700,000 of them are in the 0-18 age group, at an age requiring education. According to Ministry of National Education data, approximately 42,000 children can access school. There is a large gap of those who cannot receive education. When they cannot receive education, they cannot adapt to life. They cannot be included in life.”

Prof. Dr. Yunus Çengel: “Now Even Vehicles Need to Be Ethical” 

Rector's Advisor Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış presented the award to academician Prof. Dr. Yunus Ali Çengel. Thanking for the award, Yunus Çengel said, “As an engineer, these ethical values mentioned are actually becoming increasingly important. And they are currently the most debated topics. Because with artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, that is, with everything becoming technological in some way, let alone humans, even vehicles now need to be ethical. These ethical values are at the forefront of what is discussed in research areas such as law, engineering, and philosophy.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeliha Bürtek: “These Values Show the Arrow of the Path”

Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör presented the award to academician Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeliha Bürtek. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeliha Bürtek, pointing out the importance of high human values, said, “These values are written in the holy book. The holy book gives you a path. You just embark on that path. These values show the way. They show the arrow of the path.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bürtek also stated that courage is a value and that showing the courage to reflect values is also important.

The “Feeling Human Statue” was presented to the award recipients at the ceremony.  

The ceremony, broadcast live on Üsküdar University Television (ÜÜ TV) and Üsküdar University's official YouTube account, concluded with a group photo session.