2022-2023 Graduation Ceremony Held

While Bahçeşehir University's 23rd graduation ceremony was held in grand style, first place went to Noor Sagar, who came to Türkiye from Libya for her education. Sagar, who spent her childhood in Libya, where she was born and raised, and whose greatest passions are cross-stitch, hoop embroidery, and handicrafts, is now preparing to become a finance professional of the future. Expressing that she is very happy living in Türkiye and has never felt like a foreigner, Sagar said, "The diploma I received from Türkiye is more valuable than one from Libya. And life here is better than in all European countries."

Bahçeşehir University's (BAU) 2022-2023 academic year graduation ceremony was held this year at Ülker Sports Arena. As Bahçeşehir University gave its 23rd cohort of graduates, 5,500 students graduating from eight faculties and two schools experienced the pride of tossing their caps, while more than 10,000 family members shared in their children's excitement. The ceremony, which began with the singing of the National Anthem, was attended by Istanbul Provincial Director of National Education Levent Yazıcı, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Ülkü Sakalar, Bahçeşehir University Chairman of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel, Members of the Board of Trustees, Bahçeşehir University President Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz, and Vice Presidents Prof. Dr. Ahmet Beşkese and Prof. Dr. Tunç Bozbura, as well as faculty members and academics.

"NEVER GIVE UP"

Beginning his speech by saying, "This year marks the 100th anniversary of our Republic and the 25th anniversary of our University. Here's to many more centuries and many more quarter centuries," Bahçeşehir University Chairman of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel offered advice to the new graduates:

"Never quit and never give up. Your determination and perseverance will lead you to success. If you want a role model, you need look no further than Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic."

Yücel said, "We, BAU's administrators, academics, and students, have worked without stopping for 25 years. Our promise for the 100th anniversary of our Republic was the goal of entering the top 500. We have risen as high as 374th place. I congratulate everyone who contributed, first and foremost our presidents."

Saying, "Never part from the light of science and the strength of culture and civilization," Yücel concluded his speech with these words: "I wish you success in your new school of life. Whatever happens, never compromise your freedom. Freedom is your greatest wealth. Whatever your profession, make use of artificial intelligence. Be not a captive of artificial intelligence but its master. As always, Bahçeşehir University will be your supporter in the school of life as well. Do not lose touch with your university."

"WE HAVE FULL FAITH IN YOU"

Bahçeşehir University President Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz addressed the new graduates, saying, "With the high-quality, universal education you have received at our University, you will achieve much greater things in the rest of your lives. We have full faith in you." Saying, "At this distinguished institution, which you came to with beautiful dreams, each of you put in great effort throughout the quality education you received, and you succeeded," Karadeniz added, "You are our source of pride and your families' cause for honor. You are the leaders of the future. We will always follow and support you with love, happiness, and pride."

Adding that they had created a 100 doctoral scholarships program to provide opportunities for the qualified researchers they will bring to Türkiye on the 100th anniversary of the Republic, Karadeniz said, "The Great Leader Atatürk's words, 'The truest guide in life is science,' have

always guided us. Remember that you, too, need no path other than the one our Atatürk showed us. I wish you many achievements in the light of science."

Yücel Batu Salman, who came to Bahçeşehir University as a student at the age of 17 and now serves as Dean of the Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, said, "We have boundless faith that, as members of this family, you will fly the BAU flag all over the world. Our family keeps growing. I hope you become honest, hardworking individuals without ever abandoning Atatürk's teachings."

GOLDEN BRAIN AWARD GOES TO SAGAR

President Karadeniz presented diplomas to the top-ranking members of the University's 23rd graduating class. This year's first-place award went to Noor Sagar from Libya, of the Department of Economics and Finance in the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, while second place went to Eman Shanou from the Department of Preschool Education in the Faculty of Educational Sciences. Third place was shared by Mehmet Berk Güneş, one of the first graduates of the Pilotage Department of the School of Applied Sciences, and Nur Elif Özay from the Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling in the Faculty of Educational Sciences. Receiving the Golden Brain award from President Karadeniz, Sagar nailed the plaque bearing her name onto the graduation registry that lists the names of the University's top graduates. Diplomas for the top three graduates in each faculty were presented by President Karadeniz and the faculty deans.

"LET US LEAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE WORLD"

The top graduate of the University's 2022-2023 academic year was 23-year-old Noor Sagar from Libya. Sagar, who graduated from the Department of Economics and Finance in the Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, is one of three children of a computer engineer father and a French teacher mother. After attending primary school in Libya, continuing her education in London, and then completing her secondary education at an Irish school in Libya, Sagar said in her graduation speech, "Wherever our path takes us, let us use the knowledge and skills we have gained here to create a positive impact on the world." Saying she believes she will continue to enjoy the privilege of having been educated at a world-renowned university, Sagar shared the message, "Let us keep working and keep achieving."

A BAU DIPLOMA IS VALID WORLDWIDE

The story of Sagar, who made her family and school very proud with her success, was also impressive. Sagar, who spent her childhood in Libya, where she was born and raised, and whose greatest passions are cross-stitch, hoop embroidery, and handicrafts, expressed, as she prepares to become a finance professional of the future, that she is very happy living in Türkiye and has never felt like a foreigner. Sagar said, "The diploma I received from Türkiye is more valuable than one from Libya. And life here is better than in all European countries. With a BAU diploma, we have the chance to find jobs and build careers in many countries around the world." Emphasizing that Bahçeşehir University is an international school, Sagar said that being together with thousands of students who, like her, came from abroad is a source of happiness. Sagar, who is also Libya's country representative at BAU, said her goal is to find a job in Türkiye and, after testing herself in professional life, decide in which field to pursue a master's degree. Sagar said, "I need to discover myself. And that will happen while I am in professional life. Afterwards, I might go to another country as well." Sagar said that her family has also been very supportive and has always left her free to make social and personal decisions about her life.

"SUCCESS IS NOT DIFFICULT"

Stating that she had expected to rank in her faculty but that being the University's top graduate came as a surprise, Sagar said, "I am happy and proud. I worked very hard. Success is perceived as difficult. But it is not. I achieved this result by studying regularly." Sagar, who lives in Türkiye with her mother and relatives, said that because Turkish culture is close to her own, she had no difficulty adapting and feels at home. Noting that direct flights from Libya and visa convenience also influenced her choice of Türkiye, Sagar said, "Also, I do not feel like a foreigner in Türkiye. Being able to live as myself here makes me happy."

THE NEW FINANCE PROFESSIONAL WHO DOES CROSS-STITCH

Saying that she traveled whenever she had the chance during her years in Türkiye, Sagar said, "When I needed to study, I sacrificed traveling. But in my free time, I had the chance to travel. Besides Fethiye, I went to Sapanca and Şile. I also love swimming in the sea." Noting that she has been engaged in cross-stitch, hoop embroidery, and handicrafts for many years and that this pursuit brings her joy, Sagar said she also enjoys embroidering clothes and various fabrics and will continue this hobby alongside her professional life.