Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) bid farewell to the graduates of Havza Vocational School at a ceremony held for the 2025–2026 academic year.

The graduation ceremony was attended by OMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, Acting Havza Garrison Commander Senior Staff Sergeant Emre Sazlıdere, Havza District Gendarmerie Commander Senior Master Sergeant Özkan Parlak, Havza District Police Chief Kenan Bıyık, Director of Havza Vocational School Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ercan Tural, Head of Administrative Affairs of Havza Municipality Fatih Çelik, Director of the Havza Student Dormitory of the Credit and Dormitories Institution (KYK), Director of the Havza Local Action Group Association Özgür Atalay, Head of the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department Ertan Özcan, as well as academics, graduating students, and their families.

Director Tural: “We Continue Our Educational Activities with Nearly 1,300 Students”

Director of Havza Vocational School Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ercan Tural noted that the school, which began its educational journey in 1993 with two departments, now offers education in six departments and eight programs with nearly 1,300 students.

Tural announced that, in addition to the existing programs in Office Management and Executive Assistance, Real Estate and Property Management, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Business Administration and Management, Occupational Health and Safety, and Tourism and Hotel Management, the Civil Defense and Firefighting and Culinary Arts programs will be launched next year.

Emphasizing that the school’s vision is to become a leading vocational school with a strong scientific foundation, contemporary vocational education standards, and national competitiveness, Tural congratulated the graduates and their families and thanked the academic and administrative staff for their contributions.

Valedictorian Paç: “The Real Challenge Begins After Graduation”

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Ayşenur Paç said that it was a great honor to address the audience on behalf of the Class of 2025–2026 of Havza Vocational School.

“Beginnings are beautiful, endings are difficult,” she remarked, adding that graduation does not mark the end of a difficult marathon but rather the completion of a long starting line, and that the real challenge begins after graduation.

Referring to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s words about “walking without stopping to rest,” Paç thanked the faculty members for teaching them not only professional knowledge and skills but also their responsibilities as individuals and university graduates toward society.

She also expressed her gratitude to their families, saying:

“You worked tirelessly to bring us to where we are today. Now it is our turn to make the effort.”

She concluded her speech by thanking everyone on behalf of the graduating class.

Ceremony Concludes with Cap Toss

Following the speeches, diplomas were presented to the graduates.

The ceremony ended with students enthusiastically tossing their graduation caps into the air.