Üsküdar University bid farewell to its 11th-period graduates with the 2023-2024 Academic Year graduation ceremony. Graduates, experiencing the joy of graduation upon receiving their diplomas, felt both excitement and pride.
The ceremony, attended by Amasya Governor Yılmaz Doruk and his wife, was marked by the events in Palestine and Gaza. Banners reading 'We will not be silent, Long live hell for the oppressors,' 'Palestine did not graduate this year,' along with Palestinian flags and Palestinian keffiyehs, drew attention.
Addressing the graduates with a scarf featuring the Palestinian flag, Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Head of the Board of Management Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, 'As a university, we have aimed for quality since our establishment. We view criticism as a gift. We see all feedback we receive as an opportunity to improve ourselves.'
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, in her speech, addressed the students, saying, 'Dear students. The struggle begins now. It is now time to transform the knowledge you have acquired and the experience you have gained at our university into real life.'
Palestine did not graduate this year, humanity failed the class!
At the graduation ceremony held in Ataşehir Ülker Sports and Event Hall, 11th-year associate, undergraduate, and postgraduate graduates experienced excitement and enthusiasm together. This year, 8,269 Üsküdar University graduates transitioned into professional life.
The ceremony, attended by Board of Trustees Chairman Furkan Tarhan and Tarhan - İDER Foundation Board Member Fırat Tarhan, also saw the presence of Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Vice-Rectors; Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk, Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, Rector's Advisors Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka, Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, among other academicians.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: 'What we value is; being in a good position among global universities'
Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Head of the Board of Management Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, who took the stage to speak with a scarf featuring the Palestinian flag around his neck, stated in his opening speech that Üsküdar University, which has graduated approximately 35,000 students to date, today brought 8,269 graduates together with life.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, 'As ÜÜ (Üsküdar University), the most important thing we strive for is to be in a good position among global universities within global competition. The most important measure of this is quality. For this reason, as a university, we have aimed for quality since our establishment. One of the most important methods of quality is its measurability. We cannot produce what we cannot measure. We view criticism as a gift. We see all feedback we receive as an opportunity to improve ourselves.'
Quality is a journey…
Stating that quality is a journey, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, 'When we embark on that journey, it is necessary to constantly learn new things. New steps need to be taken. Since this is a dynamic process, feedback is very valuable in this process.'
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the graduating students encountered three unforgettable events in their lives: the Covid pandemic, the February 6th earthquakes, and the Gaza events. He said, 'Every life event has a threat dimension as well as an opportunity dimension. It also teaches something. As young people transition to a new dimension of life and face realities, we value not only their academic experiences but also their life achievements. We tried to facilitate their adaptation to these periods.'
We are one of two foundation universities in Turkey that can receive 17 labels…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking 2024 results, Üsküdar University received all 17 labels applied for, stating that they are one of only two foundation universities in Turkey to achieve this.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also mentioned that there are around 1500 universities worldwide that received 17 labels, and Üsküdar University ranks 425th among them. He said, 'This is a quality indicator. There is an aim for sustainable growth, from social activity to research, from wellbeing to health. It's not about getting them, but about maintaining them. We want to continue this in the coming years.'
Men's Basketball team became Super League Champion
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, pointing to the successes of young people in sports, stated that the Men's Basketball team became the Super League Champion and the Women's Volleyball team came in third in Turkey in the 19th Turkey Universities Summer Sports Games Super League.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that it is important for students to distinguish themselves in sports as well, alongside their achievements in science and social fields. He also reminded that the university was declared a Center of Excellence by UNESCO due to its work in neuroscience.
'We took part in Turkey's first human space mission.'
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that agreements have been made with over 300 universities regarding Erasmus admissions, adding, 'Some of our graduate students went abroad and were accepted into master's programs in their fields there.'
Prof. Dr. Tarhan reminded that the MESSAGE (Microgravity Associated Genetics) experiment, one of the 13 scientific researches included in Turkey's first human space mission, was from Üsküdar University, stating, 'The research related to DNA analysis was carried out by our faculty members.'
The University Senate published a manifesto against the oppression in Gaza.
Addressing the parents, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, 'You entrusted your children to us. We tried to raise them in the best possible way. An event that adds sadness to our graduation is happening. You know the Palestine issue. The Gaza events... There is the Nakba that started 75 years ago. There is systematic genocide, there is oppression.'
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the University Senate published a manifesto against this oppression and nearly 400,000 signatures have been collected so far. He explained that the manifesto was signed with a university in Kazakhstan, and they intend to take these signatures to the UN.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, 'Our hearts ache for the people suffering oppression there, we are sad, but we cannot do anything. There is great cruelty, great injustice in Gaza. Yes, Palestine did not graduate this year. Humanity failed the class. That's why we say 'Long live hell for the oppressors.'' These words received applause from the hall.
Advice to young people: 'Have goals that transcend yourselves'
Addressing the youth, Prof. Dr. Tarhan concluded his words as follows:
'If you do not have a purpose or an ideal worth striving for, to get tired for, to suffer for, do not expect to succeed in life. If you cannot manage to be happy with small things, do not expect to be happy. To be successful and happy, appreciate what you have. Do not forget the feeling of gratitude towards them. Have goals that transcend yourselves. Have goals that can contribute something for the society you live in, for your country, for your family, for humanity. I wish you a more beautiful, more fruitful, more productive life in your future.'
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: 'We will continue to support our children's struggle in life'
Speaking at the ceremony, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör addressed the families, saying, 'You put in great effort, you raised them. You always supported their development. You made great sacrifices. Now we are all here together. We are all here to share this excitement with them on their beautiful day. First of all, I thank you very much for your efforts and sacrifices.'
Prof. Dr. Güngör stated that university graduation is a stage in life, saying, 'From now on, we will continue to support our children's struggle in life. Because life begins now. In this life struggle, let's continue to build our expectations, hopes, and dreams with them. Let's always be by their side. You did a great job. You raised brilliant young people for us for years. Now we are sending them to humanity.'
'From now on, you will start adding value to life'
Addressing the students, Prof. Dr. Güngör said, 'Dear students. The struggle begins now. It is now time to transform the knowledge you have acquired and the experience you have gained at our university into real life. From now on, life will embrace you, and you will start adding value to life. From now on, we expect value from you.'
'You will always be successful, as long as you are aware of your own potential, your own talents,' said Prof. Dr. Güngör, emphasizing that graduation diplomas should represent not only individual achievements but also values such as love for humanity and love for one's homeland, which will contribute to society.
'We are not saying goodbye to you, we will build your lives together'
'We expect very great things from you. We expect important duties and responsibilities from you,' said Prof. Dr. Güngör, stating that even though the university bids farewell to its graduates, it will not sever its ties with them and will continue to support them in their academic or career plans.
Prof. Dr. Güngör added, 'We will always be in interaction with you. We are not saying goodbye here. We will build your future lives together.'
Plaques and gifts were presented to top-ranking students
Plaques and gifts were presented to the top-ranking students at the ceremony. Undergraduate graduates Büşra Nur Özdemir, Merve Karaduman, Şevval Güzel, Nıveen Bou Hassan, Beyza Nur Çalış, and Merve Dursungül, who ranked in the top three, received their plaques and gifts from Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Furkan Tarhan, and Tarhan - İDER Foundation Board Member Fırat Tarhan. The 11th-period faculty valedictorians then nailed their plaques to the log.
Associate degree students Esma Aydaşlı, Şeyma İnan, Şeyma Örnekçi, Zeynep Ela Aksoy, and Mehtap Aydın, who ranked high, received their plaques from Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy, İDER Foundation Board Member Fırat Tarhan, Rector's Advisor Halide İncekara, Founding Board of Trustees member Mustafa Ataş, and Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk. The 11th-period associate degree valedictorians nailed their plaques to the log.
Palestine left its mark on the ceremony
During the ceremony, Palestinian students took the stage and spoke about the events in their country. At the same time, a banner featuring the Turkish and Palestinian flags and reading 'We will not be silent, Long live hell for the oppressors' was unfurled on the stage.
Slogans such as 'Long live Gaza, Long live Palestine, Long live Turkey, Hell for the oppressors' were also chanted.
This year's ceremony was marked by the events in Palestine and Gaza. Banners such as 'Palestine did not graduate this year,' 'From the river to the sea, free Palestine,' 'Palestine, you are our soul,' 'One cannot remain silent while children die,' along with Palestinian flags and Palestinian keffiyehs, drew attention.
At the ceremony, a banner reading '…And he became Turkish. This is what being Turkish means. He is lightning, a hurricane, the sun that illuminates the world. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.' was also unfurled.
Successful athletes were awarded
Üsküdar University's sports teams, which achieved significant successes in their branches, were also not forgotten at the ceremony. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the university's basketball, football, and volleyball teams, as well as Kickboxing/boxing athletes, by Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör.
The marriage proposal tradition was not broken
The 11th-period graduation ceremony also witnessed a marriage proposal. Yeliz Aksoy, a graduate of the Occupational Therapy Department, was proposed to on stage by her boyfriend Mahmut Yalçın, also a graduate of the same department. While the couple was observed to be quite excited, the audience in the hall supported the young couple with applause.
Governor Yılmaz Doruk presented his son's diploma...
At the ceremony attended by Amasya Governor Yılmaz Doruk and his wife, Governor Doruk personally presented the graduation certificate to his son Melih Baha Doruk, who successfully completed the Computer Engineering department at Üsküdar University...
Caps were tossed
Later in the ceremony, graduation certificates were presented to master's students. New graduates came to the stage in turn and received their graduation certificates.
Following the 'Flag Pennant Handover' ceremony coordinated by Dr. Lect. Kazım Dalkıran, a strategist from the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar University, the graduates collectively recited the graduation oath under the leadership of Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur. Afterwards, the graduates descended from the stage and tossed their caps. The graduation ceremony, filled with exciting and enthusiastic moments, concluded with a DJ performance.
