Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the ceremony, TOBB ETU Chairman of the Board of Trustees and TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they the seed they had sown have taken root, that the work of Ersin Emre Ören of the Biomedical Engineering Department in cooperation with two universities in the US have been published in the Nature Nanotechnology Journal; TOBB ETU has become a university exporting technology to the world.

Stating that the project of which he is the boastful is TOBB ETU, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “It is of the utmost pride to have brought such an institution of learning into being in Turkey. Because investment in education is the greatest service to the country. As a Far East proverb says: If you think ahead one year, plant wheat; if you think 10 years ahead, plant a tree; if you think 100 years ahead, educate your people. That's what we aimed for with TOBB ETU. We wanted to nurture young people of free ideas, consciences and wisdom. We aimed to bring a new generation to our country; not one of rote memorization, but of research, technology production and invention.”

Addressing the graduates, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The magic word that brings you to today is ‘goals’. A person without a goal is like a leaf, broken away from the tree; its direction determined by fate. Today, you all have reached your first goals. There are many more ahead of you. I'm proud of you all. I wish you continued success. Your parents made great sacrifices. They’ve brought you up to this point. They went hungry so you wouldn’t; they fulfilled your every wish.”

Pointing out that they are a big family as TOBB ETU, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Thankfully, we are among the best young universities in the world today. According to the Times Higher Education's data, ranking the Millennium Universities established after 2000, the only university from Turkey is TOBB ETU. Every day, the successes of our students, graduates and teachers make me prouder. They represent us in the best way both in national and international arenas. We have awards, success in graduate exams, graduates who work in world leading companies such as Apple, Google, graduates who have received doctoral degrees from the best universities in the world, and academics who represent us in the world's most prestigious academic platforms. Most recently, the work of Ersin Emre Ören of the Biomedical Engineering Department in cooperation with two universities in the US have been published in the Nature Nanotechnology Journal. The nano-scale bio-detector, which Ören co-invented with his team, will be able to detect electricity from human DNA, enabling cancer earlier detection. As you can see, the seeds we’ve sown have taken root. TOBB ETU has become a university exporting technology to the world.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that the key to success was to not accept being static and to be open to change; urged the students and graduates to not lose their entrepreneurial spirit after graduation.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the entrepreneurial spirit was to bring innovation to the old village; “Thanks to this, so far, 454 of not graduates have established, or partnered with, 644 companies. TOBB ETU is an innovative and entrepreneurial university. Today, you are the graduates of joint education, which is now spoken as a model education system in our country. During your university education, you were in the classroom and in the field. You learned both theory and practice. You know the business world and, more importantly, yourself. Currently about 3,000 companies are participating in the system. Our graduates start their business life with a year of work experience. This is one step ahead of their competitors.”

Stating that they are beginning to harvest the fruits of this new education system, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “46% of our graduates get a job in the first month. I repeat, almost one out of every two new graduates get a job in their first month after graduation! 85% of our graduates find work within 1 year. This is a record! What makes TOBB ETU’s young people employment champions is the fact that they worked in their fields while studying at university. The joint education program opens the doors of the world to our students. And not just in Turkey but at many companies in America, Norway, Ukraine prefer TOBB ETU graduates. For example, this year, a student will complete joint training at the International Criminal Court. This is your success.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu also addressed the new students attending TOBB ETU and said, “After an intense and exhausting process, you have succeeded in university exams and have become a TOBB ETU student. I am telling you that you will work harder during your education at TOBB ETU and you will get tired. While your friends are on holiday, you will take exams. But when the time comes, like your seniors here today, you will reap the rewards of your toil. When that day comes, you will be glad to have chosen TOBB ETU. Welcome to TOBB ETU family.”

Hisarciklioglu said that TOBB ETU has begun a new endeavor this year with the TOBB ETU Business Community Scholarship Program aiming promote equal opportunities in education by providing financial support successful students who need it.

Quoting Bernard Shaw, “Those who do not speak their own language cannot learn another language,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “My brothers in this hall have been studying Turkish and have already received TOEFL documents. But don't let this be the end of it. A new language means a new world. You took diction, entrepreneurship and leadership lessons. In these times, those unable to tell their story cannot succeed. I see it in business. New entrants are unable to express themselves. They can't lead, they fail. Here, my brothers in this hall received training according to the expectations of the business world. Our graduates will understand the value of our university, now.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu also gave some advice, “Be honest. The trick is honesty. Never miss a chance to take the initiative. Imagine, mark your target and try hard! Don't be afraid of failing or making mistakes! I have something to say to my colleagues: Mistakes can happen at work! The way to success is constantly learning. If you say you’re complete in this era, you're wrong.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu asked the graduates not to break their ties with TOBB ETU, “Our door is always open to you. Remember, you are part of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey family of 1.5 million people. In Turkey, every city you go, you have a door to ring. You have the advantage of turning it into an advantage. Always follow us closely with your university. Join the Alumni Association and participate in the activities. Experience the spirit of TOBB ETÜ throughout life. It’s not the transfer of know-how, it’s now the transfer of know-who. Work hard for our country and our nation, without saying “I”, without marginalizing anyone. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk says, ‘Great achievements come about with the help of successful young people raised by precious mothers.’ Here they are. We trust you, we believe.”

Rector of TOBB ETU Dr. Güven Sak also said that they have trained leading, entrepreneurial and innovative students by taking into account the needs of the business world and the conditions of global competition.

Former Grand National Assembly Chairman Cemil Cicek presented plaques to the students. At the end of the ceremony, the students celebrated their graduation by throwing their caps.