20th Year Enthusiasm
Istanbul Ticaret University celebrated its 20th establishment anniversary with a ceremony at its Sütlüce Campus Conference Hall with limited participation in accordance with the pandemic measures. The graduation ceremony for the 2019-2020 period, which could not be held before due to the epidemic, was also held with limited participation.
Governor of Istanbul, Mr. Ali Yerlikaya, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Istanbul Ticaret University, Mr. Öztürk Oran, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), Mr. Şekib Avdagiç, members of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Ticaret University, that are Rector of the Istanbul Ticaret University, Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu, and vice rectors of the Istanbul Ticaret University, Prof. Dr. Elçin Aykaç Alp and Prof. Dr. Abdul Halim Zaim, as well as deans and directors of the institutes attended the 20th Anniversary Ceremony of the University.
The ceremony started with the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem and followed by the opening speech of Rector Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu. Mr. Oğurlu reminded that Istanbul Ticaret University was established in 2001 by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce to meet the needs of the business world and contribute to the academy, and that with its 9.000 students today it has become one of the distnguished foundation universities of Turkey.
Underlining that Istanbul Ticaret University continued to multiply its success during the pandemic period, Rector Prof. Dr. Oğurlu noted that they have achieved above the average of foundation universities in terms of occupancy rates, and reached the level of state universities. Emphasizing that Istanbul Ticaret University has been selected as the most prestigious educational institution of the year in the survey conducted by Marketing Türkiye (Marketing Turkey), Mr. Oğurlu stated that the brand value of the university increases every year.
Rector Prof. Dr. Oğurlu stated that the support of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) and the presence of a strong university board of trustees add strength to Istanbul Ticaret University, and on that account, he thanked the ITO management and members of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Ticaret University.
A UNIVERSITY ESTABLISHED FOR AMBITIOUS STUDENTS
Having taken the floor after Rector Prof. Dr. Oğurlu, the President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Mr. Şekib Avdagiç stated that 20 years mean a lot, and said that it is the individuals who are 20 years old who would have the fresh power needed to rebuild the world. Expressing that Istanbul Ticaret University represents the seal that ITO has set on the world of education, Mr. Avdagic noted that they have achieved significant success in the last 20 years having graduated nearly 20 thousand students.
Stating that it is a great joy for them to see during their contacts that Istanbul Ticaret University graduates have taken up positions in important places, Mr. Avdagic said that the renovation works of the university building located in Eminönü will be completed in 2022 and the building will be allocated to education again.
Expressing that they, as ITO, do not perceive Istanbul Ticaret University as a commercial enterprise, and rather see it as an institution that will raise an ambitious generation, Mr. Avdagic said, “An ambitious student will likely to become an ambitious entrepreneur, an ambitious manager and an ambitious businessperson.”
A UNIVERSITY THAT RAISES LEADERS
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Ticaret University, Mr. Öztürk Oran, started his speech by celebrating the 20th establishment anniversary of Istanbul Ticaret University and stated that there is a need for a new vision to rebuild the world and envision the future. Noting that universities have had a great deal of responsibility to make the right choice between pioneering or following these developments in a period of dazzling developments, Mr. Oran said that in its 20th year, Istanbul Ticaret University set sail for new horizons and raise the leaders of tomorrow.
Mr. Oran stated that the leaders raised by Istanbul Ticaret University do not only stand out as leaders but also as environmentally conscious and wise individuals of the society, and thanked those who have contributed to the university so far.
“SULTAN FATIH WAS AT THIS AGE WHEN HE CONQUERED ISTANBUL”
Istanbul Governor Mr. Ali Yerlikaya reminded that the first work of Fatih Sultan Mehmet after he conquered Istanbul at the age of 21 was that he laid the foundations of a “madrasah”, which in time has become the Istanbul University of today. Addressing the students, Governor Mr. Yerlikaya stated that they are at the age when Sultan Fatih conquered Istanbul and advised them to become entrepreneurs.
Stating that Istanbul Ticaret University has reached its 20th year by growing and increasing its success every year, Governor Mr. Yerlikaya thanked the institutions and individuals who provided support to the university during this process.
GRADUATION CEREMONY
Immediately after the completion of the 20th Establishment Anniversary Ceremony, the 2019-2020 Graduation Ceremony of the Istanbul Ticaret University, which could not be held due to the pandemic, was also held. Within the scope of the pandemic measures, only the most successful students of the each faculty of the university attended the ceremony, while other students watched the ceremony online.
Istanbul Ticaret University Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Öztürk Oren and Rector Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu awarded plaques to the students who graduated from the university with honors, and the deans made speeches and awarded the top students in their respective faculties with certificates of achievement.
20th YEAR ESTABLISHMENT ANNIVERSARY PROJECT COMPETITION AND MEMORIAL FOREST
At the ceremony, Istanbul Ticaret University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Abdul Halim Zaim announced the special project competition with the theme of Istanbul dedicated to the 20th Establishment Anniversary of Istanbul Ticaret University. He said that the competition will be held in two different categories, that is academicians and students, and that various prizes will be awarded to the competitors ranked among the top three. Additionally, during the 20th Establishment Anniversary Ceremony, certificates of achievement were presented to the academicians with the most number of publications in 2020.
Additionally, a protocol has been signed between the Regional Directorate of Forestry and Istanbul Ticaret University to create a memorial forest in the name of Istanbul Ticaret University. In this memorial forest, one sapling will be planted for each and every member of the board of trustees, academic and administrative staff, graduates and current students of Istanbul Ticaret University. Within the scope of the said protocol, planting activities will be held together with the students of Istanbul Ticaret University.
