BAU 2012-2013 Graduation Celebrated

Bahçeşehir University's (BAU) 2013 graduation ceremony was held at the Abdi İpekçi Sports Hall. Having produced more than ten thousand graduates since its foundation, BAU bid farewell to its students with a magnificent ceremony at its 13th graduation.

Holding its 13th graduation ceremony at the Abdi İpekçi Sports Hall with the participation of parents, academics and many other prominent figures, BAU takes pride in graduating a total of 1,944 students this year.

Delivering the opening speech of the ceremony, BAU President Prof. Dr. Şenay Yalçın stated that they were happy to present to the future of Türkiye and humanity the students graduating from associate, undergraduate and graduate programs, equipped with the light of science and free thought, saying: "Each of them is the bright face of science. They are the guarantee of our national existence, equipped with universal values. They are the greatest assurance of our Republic, the indispensable common value of our nation, on its path to reaching the level of contemporary civilization. They are the hope of our country and of humanity; they are the guardians of hope."

Stating that 2012-2013 was a "Year of Breakthrough" for BAU, in which scientific excellence came to the fore and opportunities for academic research were supported, Prof. Dr. Şenay Yalçın said: "Thanks to the academic cooperation agreements and partnerships at various levels that we have established with 218 universities from 50 countries across a very wide geography from the USA to Japan and offered to our students, our modern environments and quality infrastructure, and especially the efforts of our distinguished faculty, Bahçeşehir University is now a world university." Addressing the graduates at the end of her speech, Yalçın said: "Wherever in the world and at whatever time of day you may be, this great family on which the sun never sets will always be by your side. All the opportunities and environments of our university around the world are yours first and foremost. Do not forget that you can benefit from them as you wish. As I send you off to endless happiness and success, I wish you health and happiness, and I greet you all with sincere affection and respect. May your path and fortune be bright."

Delivering an important speech at the graduation ceremony, BAU Chair of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel said: "Today we are rightly proud to be part of Bahçeşehir. We have spent 4-5 good years together, through good times and bad. And now you, valued young people, have received your university diplomas with the pride of being Bahçeşehir graduates. Tomorrow, each of you will step into professional life in various fields. Whatever you do and wherever you go, do not forget the responsibility of being a Bahçeşehir graduate, and stay connected to your university."

Promising his students that today's Bahçeşehir University will be a university they will be even prouder of tomorrow and in the future, Enver Yücel said: "In the age we live in today, education has become a constantly changing and developing concept. Education is no longer merely a document, a diploma or the representation of a place. You, our young Bahçeşehir graduates, let your nourishment in life be peace and love, not conflict. Let your culture be 'we' instead of 'I'; stand by power but never depart from justice. Stand by peace and love."

Following the speeches at the graduation ceremony, the award ceremony began; first, students who graduated from their faculties with honors received their certificates of achievement, and then awards were presented to students who showed great success by graduating with top honors. Nadire Ertuğrul, a student of the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture, who graduated first in Bahçeşehir University, received the traditional "golden brain" award, the symbol of outstanding achievement. After all students received their graduation certificates, the cap-throwing ceremony began, and in a magnificent ceremony the students threw their caps and enjoyed their graduation.