Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) gave start to the 2017-2018 Academic Year with a ceremony attended by the Minister of Health Dr. Ahmet Demircan and attendees from various sectors.
The ceremony started early in the morning placing a wreath on the OMU Atatürk Memorial and continued planting a pine wood sapling in the green area in front of the Rectorate on behalf of the Minister of Health Dr. Ahmet Demircan. Afterwards, Minister Demircan visited OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç in his office and signed the OMU book of honor. After the Rectorate visit, Minister Dr. Ahmet Demircan and accompanying protocol members joined the queue and ate their meal at the dining hall within Student Life Center with students and staff.
Alongside the Minister of Health Dr. Ahmet Demircan, the ceremony held at the Atatürk Congress and Culture Center was attended by the Governor of Samsun Osman Kaymak, AKP Samsun Legislators Akif Çağatay Kılıç and Orhan Kırcalı, Garrison Commander Artillery Colonel Recep Ali Üstün, Mayor of Samsun Yusuf Ziya Yılmaz, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç, Abant İzzet Baysal University Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Alişarlı, Gümüşhane University Rector Prof. Dr. Halil İbrahim Zeybek, Provincial Gendarmerie Second in Command Gendarmerie Colonel Mustafa Ateş, Provincial Police Chief Vedat Yavuz, county mayors, vice rectors, deans, political party provincial heads, public body authorities, trade association heads, civil society organization heads, academicians and students.
After conveying the regards of notably the Chairperson of the Turkish Parliament İsmal Kahraman, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and Ministers of the Cabinet and a great number of invitees who could not attend the ceremony, Head of the Student Council Muhsin Oğul delivered a speech on behalf of students.
Underlining that as students they will do their best to carry Turkey one step further, Muhsin Oğul said “To shape our future, we will never refrain from our struggle without forgetting our history and considering tomorrow.”
Oğul thanked academicians for the education they have given and all the administration, notably Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç for social and cultural facilities.”
Delivering the opening speech of the event, Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç drew attention that universities contribute more and more each day to the progress of humanity and said “Expectations from universities has risen in today’s world which experiences a shift from industrial society to information society. For a country to take firm steps forward is very much related with qualified human resources, the power of the knowledge produced and the industrialization of these. We have long past the period where universities refrained into their own shells. Keeping this state, which is also an indicator of backwardness, will raise the sins of those who act such.”
Stating that OMU, which ranked 18th in the success list, with approximately 65 thousand students and staff, possessed a great population power, Rector Bilgiç continued “If we don’t use this power well we won’t go any further than becoming a burden for the country and add our graduate students to the army of jobless people. The way to achieve what is necessary is to know well today’s conditions, the progress of the world and expectations from universities.”
Stating that most of the studies prepared by academicians did not transform into publication and that those that actually did, didn’t transform into benefit, Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç said “Academicians should play their own part to prevent powers who wish to rule the world. Considering our future, we should produce knowledge and technology which will transform into benefit.”
Pointing out that they increased R&D and innovation studies, Rector Sait Bilgiç said that they also realized works to provide for the collaboration between university and city and that the industry reaches desired power. Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç continued “For this reason, giving also importance to human resources, we are restructuring the Technology Transfer Office into a harmonious and flexible institution which will enable internalization. OMU predicts to coordinate such cooperation acts developing the R&D infrastructure and raise the capacity to produce projects. The resource of our ongoing projects is about 40 million TL as of today.”
Mentioning that they are also aware of the importance of sector cooperation, Bilgiç stated they are restructuring Teknopark in parallel to this understanding.
Expressing that they included in their strategic plan infrastructure development in the field of education, which is one of the main jobs of universities, Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç said that they will complete all infrastructure deficiencies in this scope by 2018.
Stating that the University Advisory Board, created for a university-industry-city integration, also bore quite positive results, Rector Bilgiç delivered that, alongside the mouth milk project which will be realized thanks to this board, a 2nd project, which will contribute to the economics of Turkey is on its way.
Underlining the importance they give to internationalization, Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç continued as follows: “This matter has become vital for the development of universities. The number of student mobility throughout the world is 4.5 million. About 800 thousand of these students receive education in the USA, and the resource these students provide to this country is about 30 million dollars. In Turkey there are 110 thousand international students. As OMU, with the advantage of having taken strategically to the forefront internationalization, the international level which is 1% throughout Turkey, outran 4% at OMU. Our aim is to raise that number to 10% as soon as possible.
Delivering information about works done to make the campus livable and beautiful and for the impaired students to continue their education without facing any obstacles, Rector Bilgiç also shared works done in the fields of health and aviation. Bilgiç gave the good news that the 130 bedded Oncology Hospital, Havza Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center and the Central Library will be open to service soon.
Listing also the works of OMU in the field of health, Sait Bilgiç said “We are in the forefront in kidney transplantation. Cornea transplantation is only realized in our Faculty of Medicine in the Black Sea Region. We will restart liver transplantation works as soon as possible, and we have taken necessary steps for this” and drew attention to the importance of organ transplantation.
Calling out to new joined students at OMU, Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç said “It’s given us new energy and excitement that you have joined the OMU family. There are things which we wish new incoming and all our students should know. If you don’t observe the course of affairs in the world and only study to pass classes you can’t become truly a patriot. That has certain responsibilities. You should both be trained well in your own field and become well equipped but also should stay away from delusions that cause you to do mistakes. Not long has passed over July 15. The end of 10 thousands of people, who surrendered their wills in the hands of others, has been to become traitors. That’s why you should take heed to stay as free individuals. Don’t forget that Allah will question us all one by one.”
Delivering a speech at the opening, Governor of Samsun Osman Kaymak said “I wish to start my speech greeting you all on behalf of OMU, the pearl of our city. As known, universities are institutions leading the establishment of scientific thought in the light of universal values, producing genuine publications through national and international research and undertaking the key role in development. At the same time, they are structures which raise superior social individuals and scientists with developed personalities; which carry out research for the benefit of the society and lead the way to the development of the society. The contemporary and scientific university project, which started thanks to the long-sightedness of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, has escalated with our republic and has become one of the main elements of our social development today spreading to all the regions of our country. OMU has been conducting educational and research services with a contemporary approach since its date of foundation, 1975 and conducting works to bring in qualified work force to the society needed by our country. In this respect, our students, who are our real target, should put maximum effort to realize both their own dreams and the dreams of the country.”
Afterwards, the Minister of Health Dr. Ahmet Demircan said “Today we have come together in the opening ceremony of the academic year on the 42nd year of OMU, one of the worthy universities of Turkey and beautiful Samsun. Scientific results bear very important roles on the lives of human and society. If we are to live now on this Earth with honor and pride with our heads held high and we will have a benefit to the human race, we have to produce knowledge. We have to become a people who produce knowledge. Turkey will thus stand on its feet. If this country is to continue its way powerfully, it will do so catching the power of knowledge. Knowledge is the source of power. Knowledge is the only way we use to produce power. We will know, produce knowledge and be powerful. These houses of science, i.e. universities have undertaken that role.”
Giving information during his speech about the second university planned to be opened in Samsun, the Minister of Health Ahmet Demircan said “OMU has become 42 years old. It should no longer be alone in Samsun and feel lonely. There is now a need for a second university in Samsun. Samsun will hopefully see this matter resolved in the days to come. We are working on this. Not giving any specific dates, our city will have a second university soon.”
Calling out to students, Minister Demircan stressed the importance that the number of international students reached a number about 4.5% and commented “10% should be the goal. For this I say: Turkey is here in this geography an island of peace and the center. Students coming from abroad are invaluable guests here. I believe that when they leave this country they will become peace envoys of this beautiful country, our country that has no bad intentions towards any country who protect peace. The increase in their number would give us honor and pride.”
Reminding that the human will and mind is the most important trait that separates it from other living things, the Minister of Health Ahmet Demircan continued their words “I tell this especially to you, surrender your mind and will to no one. This is the most important trait that separates humans from other living things. It is essential to keep the mind and will free and facilitate national union through loyalty to one’s country, people, contract and constitution. I hereby wish the best of this academic year in the 42nd year of OMU for our students, academic staff, whole country and Samsun.”
After the speech of the Minister of Health Ahmet Demircan, while 3rd grade student of the Graduate School of Fine Arts Department of Glass and Ceramics Yasemin Kurt gave her own glass-ceramic work as a gift to the Minister, Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç presented a sapling certificate and flowers.
The opening ceremony continued with the concert of Turkish Art and Folk Music Community leaded by the OMU State Conservatory Department of Traditional Turkish Music academic staff Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serhat Yener.
Afterwards, the poetry recitation by the 4th grade student of the Turkish Education Department Nuray Yılmaz and Recep Kıyıcıoğlu labeled “Türkler Dolusu (Full of Turks)” gave a novel touch to the ceremony.
In the ceremony, which continued with the presentation of scientific and encouragement awards after the poetry recitation, the Minister of Health Dr. Ahmet Demircan presented the awards to the owners of the internationally funded most budgeted top three projects conducted by OMU; Governor of Samsun Osman Kaymak to the owners of the nationally funded most budgeted top three projects conducted by OMU; and Ak parti Samsun Legislators Akif Çağatay Kılıç and Orhan Kırcalı to the academicians whose patent applications were accepted.
OMU 2017-2018 Academic Opening Ceremony ended with the conveying of the Rector of İstanbul University Prof. Dr. Yunus Söylet’s lecture labeled “Academic Leadership”. After the opening ceremony, a reception was also held at the Atatürk Congress and Culture Center.
Story: Çiğdem ÜNALDI, Nehir GÜLER
Photography: Gökhan ÇETİN
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