Türkiye’s Altinbas University holds graduation ceremony

ISTANBUL (AA) – A graduation ceremony for the academic year 2022-2023 was held at Altinbas University in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Tuesday, which was attended by the campus chairman, members of the board of trustees, faculty deans, academics, students, and their families.

Altinbas University Board of Trustees Chairman Ali Altinbas in his speech on the occasion emphasized the new graduates to peruse their career goals with perseverance and hard work.

Professor Cagri Erhan, the campus rector, congratulated students and said this year the university graduated a record number of 2,100 students since its inception.

Erhan highlighted the university's achievements, saying it was the third most preferred campus for graduates last year, as well as ranking 22nd in the Times Higher Education ranking's internationalization category.

All of their departments were accredited by the Higher Education Quality Board, and they became the fifth foundation university to be awarded the Turquality brand accreditation, he said.

He added that the Technology Transfer Offices were approved by Higher Education Council and that the Technopark was established through a presidential decree issued in April.

In its 15th year of establishment, the administration has taken significant steps toward becoming a research university, he said.

"This year, only two universities from Türkiye were awarded funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, the most prestigious research program in the world.

“Altinbas University became the only foundation university to receive €5.6 million ($6.12) in scientific project funding through this program. Thus, the work on a type of endoscopy device to aid in the early diagnosis of cancer has begun," he added.

Erhan said the campus team won first place in the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK) and Teknofest (Aerospace and Technology Festival) competitions this year by combining technology and psychology in their project.

The campus team contributed significantly to the university becoming a pioneer in unmanned and electric vehicles, achieving national and international successes in sports and culture, he added.

- ‘Your inner voice, passion are your best guides’

Senay Sen, who completed a second bachelor's degree in jewelry design after leaving her corporate career, expressed happiness after receiving her degree at the ceremony.

"The great leader Ataturk's faith in the youth gave me great motivation. Thanks to him, I believed that we can achieve whatever we want. Your inner voice and passion will be your best guides," she said.

She explained that she worked in marketing for leading companies in Istanbul before deciding to change careers while working as a manager.

"However, I had always been very interested in the jewelry industry," Sen, whose ancestor was a Grand Vizier during the Ottoman period, said.

She chose Altinbas University for her jewelry design studies because of its strong academic staff and position as a bridge between academia and industry, she explained.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of degrees and gifts to students, which was followed by traditional cap-throwing jubilations.

*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul