Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the ceremony, Hisarcıklıoğlu prayed for the grace of Allah upon the school children victims of the attack in Pakistan.

The Anatolian İmam Hatip High School with 24 classrooms built by TOBB in Kocaeli was completed and opened to students in only a year.

Pointing out that this was not their first investment in Kocaeli, Hisarcıklıoğlu reminded that they’ve constructed 252 earthquake resistant residences since 2000; he went on to provide further examples of TOBB’s mindfulness of social responsibility both domestically and internationally.

Stating that the most precious investment is the one made on education, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the investment made for people is the most beneficial.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that every investment has its own risks and losses are a possibility, “However, investments on people, on education are never a loss. To this end, TOBB has undertaken the 81 Provinces 81 Schools project to build a new high school in every province of the country.

Stating that they must not only bestow technical and theoretical knowledge on youth but also instill in them a connection with national, spiritual and cultural properties, Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his belief that the strongest force for change in the world is the pencil; that to save a person is to save humanity.

- Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Fikri Işık

Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Fikri Işık presented his condolences for the deaths of 145 schoolchildren in Pakistan and stated that terror has no language, religion or race. In regards to the day of mourning declared in Turkey solidarity to the heinous attack, he went on to state that Pakistan’s support during Turkey’s War for Independence was greatly appreciated.

Kocaeli Governor Hasan Basri Güzeloğlu also emphasized the importance of education which their beliefs are built on.

Following the speeches, Minister Işık, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, Governor Güzeloğlu, TOBB Board Vice Presidents Mete and Kopu, Kocaeli SO President Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, Gebze TO President Nail Çiler and Gulf TO President Mustafa Efe opened the school to students.

Protocol members toured the school afterwards; TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu donated books to the library.