Military Officer Ekrem Karadeniz Given GTU Courage Award

Ekrem Karadeniz, the Netherlands Army officer of Turkish origin, was hosted on 10th November, Commemoration of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. With the ceremony carried out at GTU Senate Room, Karadeniz was awarded the GTU Courage Award 2018 for his courageous act of saving the lives of his neighbors in the fire that occurred on March 15, 2017 in the Netherlands.

Speaking at the ceremony and marking the meaning and importance of the date, GTU Rector Prof. M. Hasan Aslan (PhD) reminded that despite many obstacles, the War Veteran Mustafa Kemal Atatürk had succeeded in reuniting the nation with the War of Independence due to his superior intelligence, foresightedness and courage, and congratulated Karadeniz. Also speaking at the ceremony, Gebze District Governor Mustafa Güler also congratulated Karadeniz. Vice Consul Mr. Sibbele Siebesma from the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands said that they deeply appreciate Karadeniz for his heroic deed in rescuing his neighbors and also expressed his appreciation for Karadeniz being honored in Turkey. Karadeniz had been awarded the National Hero Award by the Municipality of Amsterdam in the Netherlands before, with a silver medal, which marks the highest degree of achievement.

Following the speeches, Gebze District Governor Güler, Rector Prof. Aslan, President of Gebze Chamber of Commerce Nail Çiler and Vice Consul Siebesma presented Karadeniz with his award, the GTU Courage Award 2018. 

Karadeniz said he is honored because he has been deemed worthy of the award and added he did not even hesitate a second before he helped his neighbors, as this was also what his faith ordered him to do.