Meaningful Award for Enver Yücel from the American-Turkish Council!

At the 29th conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) held this year, Enver Yücel, Founding Chair of Bahçeşehir-Uğur Educational Institutions, was deemed worthy of the education award, described as the council's most meaningful award, for his significant contributions to education.

This traditional annual event, which aims to develop Turkish-American relations, began with a speech by Ali Babacan, Minister of State for the Economy and Deputy Prime Minister.

THE AWARD GIVEN TO ENVER YÜCEL MADE EVERYONE HAPPY

Regarding the award being given to him for his work in education, for the first time since 2004, Yücel said: "First of all, being deemed worthy of such an award has made not only me but everyone involved in education happy." Underlining that Türkiye has not only undergone economic changes, Enver Yücel added that important reforms have also been made in education. Saying, "For the first time in the history of the Republic, the largest share of the budget has been allocated to the Ministry of National Education for the last 7 years. Sustainability is among the most important concepts of our time. For relationships to be sustainable and to continue on solid ground, their foundation must first be solid," Yücel stated that this foundation will be built through education.

"EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THAT RAISED FIGURES LIKE HALİDE EDİP AND BÜLENT ECEVİT STILL EXIST"

Stating that education also lies at the foundation of developing Turkish-American relations, the main theme of the American-Turkish Council's annual conference, Enver Yücel emphasized that America's relations with the Ottoman Empire began with American missionaries opening educational institutions in the 1830s. Pointing out that, historically, American missionaries had founded more than 400 educational institutions across the Ottoman Empire by 1914, Yücel said: "Although their numbers had greatly decreased by 1923, important educational institutions still continue to exist. These institutions have educated Türkiye's writers such as Halide Edip, prime ministers such as Mr. Bülent Ecevit, and many of our artists, journalists and businesspeople."

EXCHANGE IS NOW TWO-WAY

Emphasizing that one of the foremost forms of cooperation in education is student exchange programs, Yücel said: "In previous years, this relationship mostly moved in one direction, from Türkiye to America; today it has turned into a two-way, multi-lane highway." He pointed out that, especially in recent years, many students have started coming to our country from the US, even if for short periods, and that this exchange is not limited to students, with many faculty members also coming to universities in Türkiye.

"I ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS"

Yücel continued: "Like everyone, I attach great importance to the development of Turkish-American relations. I want these relations to be lasting and continuous. I believe that Harriet Fulbright College, which we opened in Washington, D.C., and the American Studies Center, which has been carrying out successful work at Bahçeşehir Universityfor the last five years, are important institutions for the sustainability of Turkish-American educational relations. Likewise, my role in the administration of the School of Education of New York University (NYU), one of the leading universities in the US, and the opening of Istanbul offices by NYU and universities of similar quality are very important for establishing continuous and lasting relations."

Enver Yücel concluded his remarks as follows: "The fact that innovative cooperation efforts in education are followed with interest and supported by others encourages me even more. Tonight, very distinguished administrators of our Ministry of National Education, very distinguished board members of the Association of All Private Educational Institutions (TÖDER) and administrators devoted to education are here. I accept this award on behalf of all lovers of education who believe in how important relations built on education are, and I thank you."