Minister Güler Speaks at 2023-2024 Academic Year Opening
October 3, 2023
Gebze Technical University 2023-2024 Academic Year Opening Ceremony
Gebze Technical University (GTU) 2023-2024 Academic Year Opening Ceremony was held on October 3, 2023, at GTU Congress and Cultural Center with the participation of Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler.
In addition to Minister Yaşar Güler, the ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister Celal Sami Tüfekçi, Kocaeli Governor Seddar Yavuz, and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın, as well as officials from the Kocaeli province and its districts, Rector Prof. Dr. Hacı Ali Mantar and the GTU administration, academics, and students.
Before the ceremony, GTU İCAZ Music Society gave a mini concert in the foyer area, which received great acclaim.
The event began with a moment of silence for the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and his comrades-in-arms, as well as all our martyrs, followed by the singing of the National Anthem.
Taking the podium, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler first condemned the terrorist attack that took place on October 1, 2023, in front of the Ministry of Interior Building in Ankara. Güler continued his speech by highlighting the significance of GTU as one of Türkiye's prominent universities and praised its achievements. He said, "GTU has quickly become one of Türkiye's leading research universities. It makes significant contributions to our country's development in science and technology by producing qualified individuals."
Addressing the young students, Güler said, "You are the future of our country. Your success is our success. Therefore, it is essential to educate yourselves well, increase your knowledge and skills. You should work hard, conduct research, and be innovative. Additionally, you should value teamwork and learn to collaborate. Don't be afraid to take risks and make mistakes. Learn from your mistakes and continue on your path stronger. With determination, hard work, and perseverance, success will always be by your side."
Minister Güler Congratulates GTU Teams on Their TEKNOFEST Achievements
Minister Güler expressed his optimism about the increasing number of young people interested in technology and innovation, emphasizing the importance of visionary young individuals in advancing rapidly in this field and contributing significantly to the country's bright future. He also expressed his satisfaction with GTU's participation in TEKNOFEST events with an increasing number of projects each year and its recent achievements, including first place in artificial intelligence competition in healthcare and second place in the Hyperloop competition in Istanbul TEKNOFEST 2023. Güler congratulated the academics and students who contributed to these projects and wished them continued success.
Minister Güler: "Türkiye Continues its Domestic and National Leap in Defense Industry"
Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler stressed that one of the fundamental prerequisites for Türkiye to maintain its strong international position is the domestic and national defense industry, highlighting an 80% success rate in domestic production. He pointed out that Türkiye's national designs and productions in the defense industry have attracted significant international attention, and the Turkish defense industry competes successfully on the global stage. Güler added that Türkiye's defense industry being among the world's top 100 defense companies in 2023 is a source of great pride.
Governor Seddar Yavuz Celebrates the Opening of the GTU Academic Year and Reminds Young People of Their Responsibilities
Governor Seddar Yavuz congratulated the opening of the academic year at GTU and expressed his pleasure at having Minister Güler, who proudly represents the nation's trust at various levels in the military, among them.
Yavuz emphasized that Kocaeli accounts for 18% of the Republic of Türkiye's foreign trade volume and described the city as a hub for science, industry, technology, information technology, and innovation.
Yavuz mentioned that young people make the right choice when selecting their university and expressed his belief that they would make great contributions to the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish nation. He said, "I sincerely believe that you will use these opportunities to the fullest and serve the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish nation. In the second century of our Republic, in the age of revival and resurrection, you will do what we couldn't and excel in areas where we fell short, while progressing towards an independent Türkiye."
The opening speech was delivered by Prof. Dr. Hacı Ali Mantar, the Rector of GTU, who wished a prosperous 2023-2024 academic year to all students, academics, and the university.
GTU Rector: "We Rapidly and Effectively Benefit High Technology and R&D"
Prof. Dr. Hacı Ali Mantar, the Rector of GTU, explained that the mission of the university, founded in 1992 under the name Gebze Institute of Technology, is to ensure the rapid and effective transfer of academic and industrial R&D in the field of high technology to the industry for the economic benefit of the country. Rector Mantar stated that they have been strengthening and growing horizontally and vertically with this mission for 30 years, and GTU currently consists of 5 faculties, 7 research institutes, and 11,000 students.
"Despite Being a Young University, GTU Ranks in the Top 5 in Quality and Efficiency"
Mantar emphasized that despite being a young university, GTU has proven its quality and efficiency both in Türkiye and worldwide. He said, "Shortly after its establishment, the university has always been in the top 5 in academic rankings in Türkiye. Sometimes 2nd, sometimes 3rd, but never below the top 5. In 2022, we ranked 5th among state universities in entrepreneurship. Despite being one of the smallest universities in terms of population, being 5th demonstrates how much importance we attach to innovation and innovation."
Rector Mantar highlighted that the academic effectiveness of the faculty members has significantly increased, stating, "We ranked 3rd among Turkish universities with an impressive rate of 2.81 publications per faculty member. This is an important achievement that emphasizes our university's commitment to scientific research and productivity. All these achievements are the result of Gebze Technical University's increasing reputation at the national and international levels. Our university not only provides high-quality education to our students but also takes a leading role in research and innovation."
"GTU Offers Unique Opportunities for Students Aiming for Careers in the Defense Industry"
Emphasizing their determination to establish strong connections with industry and provide students with real-world experiences within the sector, Mantar highlighted the exceptional opportunities that GTU offers to students aspiring to pursue careers in the defense industry. He pointed out that through close collaborations with the defense industry, GTU allows students to stay updated on the latest technologies and developments in the field, provides internship opportunities, and paves the way for them to become future defense experts.
Dr. Tahir Büyükakın, the Mayor of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, also wished a successful start to the new academic year.
After the speeches, Minister Güler and other officials presented plaques to institutions and organizations that support the university, as well as to academics.
Awardees:
RESEARCH INCENTIVE AWARD
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Kuram
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevilay Demirkesen-Çakır
Asst. Prof. Dr. Fatih Usta
SERVICE AWARD
Prof. Dr. Nilay Coşgun
Prof. Dr. Meral Elçi
Ayşe Çardak Soyalp
Yılmaz SÜLEK
INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR (UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL)
Prof. Dr. Serkan Aksoy
GRADUATE THESIS AND DISSERTATION AWARDS
Şirin Massoumilari / Asst. Prof. Dr. Sadiye Velioğlu
Yeşim Can Sağlam / Prof. Dr. Bülent Sezen
Onur Alev / Prof. Dr. Zafer Ziya Öztürk
DONATOR AWARDS
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın
BETEK BOYA VE KİMYA SANAYİ A.Ş
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Soydan
Abdurrahman Aslantaş
Bünyamin Çiftçi
Zinnur Büyükgöz
Mehmet Ali Okur
Dr. Necdet Sağlam
Turan Durmuşoğlu
Ahmet Cin
Takehiro Yasu
