"Those Who Add Value to Türkiye" Award Goes to Oya Eczacıbaşı

Bahçeşehir University's "Those Who Add Value to Türkiye" Award was presented to İstanbul Modern Chair of the Board Oya Eczacıbaşı.

İstanbul Modern Chair of the Board Oya Eczacıbaşı was selected for the "Those Who Add Value to Türkiye" Award, which Bahçeşehir University presents for the second time this year to individuals who guide education and development and contribute to the country's economy, artistic heritage, promotion and recognition.

The opening speech of the award ceremony, held at Bahçeşehir University (BAU), was delivered by Türkiye Values Survey Chair of the Board Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Esmer.

"WE ARE NOT GENEROUS ENOUGH IN RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO ADD VALUE"
Stating that this year's award was in the field of art and culture, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Esmer said: "Oya Eczacıbaşı achieved a very important first in Türkiye. About 8 years ago, she pioneered the opening of Türkiye's first modern art museum and has since brought the museum to the distinguished position it holds today." Noting that fields such as science and art have lagged somewhat behind in Türkiye, Esmer said: "In our country, we are not very generous in recognizing those who contribute to fields such as science, culture and art. As Bahçeşehir University, we wanted to correct this mistake, and for this reason, starting last year, we wanted to reward with gratitude those who truly add value to Türkiye in the fields of science, technology, culture, art and economy. This year, we wanted to present the second 'Those Who Add Value to Türkiye' Award to İstanbul Modern Chair of the Board Oya Eczacıbaşı, from the Eczacıbaşı Family, one of the first families that come to mind in Türkiye when art and culture are mentioned. Turkish cultural and artistic life owes a great deal to Oya Eczacıbaşı. I thank her for accepting this award and offer my respects."

"ECZACIBAŞI IS THE FIRST FAMILY THAT COMES TO MIND IN CULTURE AND THE ARTS"
Following Yılmaz Esmer, BAU President Prof. Dr. Şenay Yalçın stated that the "Those Who Add Value to Türkiye" Award, presented only once a year, is a very important award for both Bahçeşehir University and Türkiye, saying: "When culture and the arts are mentioned in Türkiye, the first name that comes to mind is the Eczacıbaşı Family. In this context, Ms. Oya Eczacıbaşı, a member of the Eczacıbaşı Family, has made a great contribution to İstanbul Modern becoming an important center of culture and the arts in Türkiye today. I thank her for these great services to our country and wish her continued success."

"AS BAU, WE ARE READY TO CONTRIBUTE"
Taking the podium after BAU President Prof. Dr. Şenay Yalçın's speech, BAU Chair of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel expressed his great happiness that this award, presented to those who value and add value to Türkiye, was given to Oya Eczacıbaşı, saying: "The Eczacıbaşı Family, more than with the business world, has been concerned with art, a field that is difficult to understand in Türkiye and perhaps not understood as much as it should be, but which is indispensable. The Eczacıbaşı Family has for many years tirelessly and with inexhaustible energy strived to explain to our country what art is and what it means. It is said that what matters is not the money in the bank; you are as rich as the number of social responsibility projects you put your signature to. The Eczacıbaşı Family is among the foremost in this regard."

ENVER YÜCEL DRAWS ATTENTION TO ARTS EDUCATION
Stating that arts education is not provided sufficiently in Türkiye, Enver Yücel said: "Do the problems Türkiye faces stem from our being somewhat deprived of art? Our tolerance for one another is decreasing. Could the reason be that arts education is not adequately provided in our schools? Let us think about these a little. The Eczacıbaşı Family has dealt with this problem for many years and crowned all these efforts with the İstanbul Museum of Modern Art. As Bahçeşehir University, we too would like to contribute to you for a more beautiful İstanbul and Türkiye. I congratulate Oya Eczacıbaşı and wish her continued success."

500 THOUSAND CHILDREN BENEFITED FROM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Taking the podium after receiving her award, Oya Eczacıbaşı said: "I am very happy to accept this award, which Bahçeşehir University has deemed me worthy of, on behalf of all my colleagues who have added value to İstanbul Modern to date. İstanbul Modern is the first art museum in Türkiye opened in 2004 under the leadership of the private sector. When opening the İstanbul Museum of Modern Art, our aim was to create a multifaceted social platform where daily life and culture meet, reaching many segments of society of all ages. Adding value and ensuring that values are conveyed to the world in an understandable way was one of our main goals. I believe we have achieved this."

Stating that they value social solidarity and continue their work in this area, Eczacıbaşı said: "To date, 500 thousand children and young people have benefited from our educational programs. What we are truly honored by today is that an academic institution like Bahçeşehir University recognizes the İstanbul Museum of Modern Art as an institution that adds value to Türkiye. With this award, you have also contributed to the motivation of the İstanbul Museum of Modern Art team. Finally, I extend my gratitude to the committee that deemed me worthy of this award."