Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç met the students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine within the scope of the “Rector-Student Meeting” event held by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Student Association.
In the event, held by the Association for the World Veterinary Week, Rector Bilgiç shared with students his phases of academic career and the memories and experiences he had during this period.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Murat Güzel participated in the programme which started with a short presentation of Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç’s personal background.
Rector Bilgiç started his speech expressing his thanks to the invitation by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its students and continued “Despite the intense programme we are in, it was indeed impossible for me to say no to this invitation from our candidate colleagues. Indeed, as the Rector of the university, we strive to meet with all our staff and students making the best of any opportunity, feel and see what they live, and thus, carry OMU one step further with what we deduce from these.”
Turkey and continued: “People raised in remote Anatolia with many difficulties can have a voice in the government of this country. This is a really important matter. Starting from this point we can easily think this: The hardships of the conditions you are in are not obstacles to your success. For the life of a person gains meaning with his/her dreams. God gave the human being lots of virtues. Our mind has the capacity to comprehend the laws at work in the creation of the universe. We are separate from other living things with the power to invent new things. We have the power to show a continuous development and change with the will we possess. Today’s world is in a huge competition. The societies that can canalize their will towards this can go one step in front of other societies. To remain at the top much effort has to be shown. In the scope of this, we have to work harder and make the best of time being aware of this fact as a country and society. In this competition condition, continuously protecting the unity and solidarity of our country and people we have to continue our path in accordance with these purposes without handing over your mind and pledging our will. We have to focus on the factors which provide that we live together. Wasting our energy taking small nuances as bases for fundamental separation causes bears great risks in terms of the future of the society.”
Giving examples of the challenges and distresses he faced in his academic life, Prof. Dr. Bilgiç stated that one can overcome these problems having faith in oneself and revealing the potential and quintessence within. He continued “Not fulfilling your responsibilities is the worst thing one can do to him/herself. You are the greatest factor in becoming successful despite all the obstacles. It is the easier way to look for outside excuses. As a people, we are tended to this kind of a view and understanding. Acting such we cannot overcome problems. What is important is to find a way for yourself among challenging conditions and do what is needed to become successful. Such attitude will eventually immunize and temper you. Moreover, this strength and immunity will be key factors to overcome other obstacles that you will face.”
Stating that success has nothing to do with the position you are in, Rector Bilgiç said “The greatest achievement in life is to remain human despite all distresses and crisis and to show it taking into consideration that one may lose this virtue. One that has lost this has also lost self-respect, and his/her inner world is miserable. The position, money and riches such a man possesses has no value or importance.”
The meeting continued with a Q&A session where students found the opportunity to convey Rector Bilgiç their demands and problems. Rector Prof. Dr. Bilgiç stated that they put much importance to the views and thoughts of the students in this scope in order to contribute to the university administration and invited the students to the “open door meetings” held each Tuesday.
At the end of the meeting Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Student Association Head Denizcan Karaman thanked Rector Bilgiç for his participation and presented flowers. The event ended with souvenir photos.
Story: Sinan Akdoğan
Photography: Gökhan Çetin
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