Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The press conference, taking place at the TOBB ETU Social Facilities, was also attended by the former TOBB ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Yücel Altunbaşak who was recently appointed to the position of President of TÜBİTAK.

Stating that the 14 students of the LYS top 100 were among the smartest in Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his pleasure in their choice.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “There are two difficult things in life. The first, making a good name for yourself. The second, to maintain that name. We, as TOBB ETU, have stated that we will become one of the leading universities in Turkey. Each year we step closer to that goal.” to the students coming from the four corners of Anatolia, each with their own success stories.

Counting off TOBB ETU’s accomplishments in the recent years, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that TOBB ETU has placed first among universities established after 2000 as well as achieving prominence in the TÜBİTAK BİDEB scale.

Relating that TOBB ETU has been founded by 1.4 million traders and industrialists and that these are the entrepreneurs who power Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “These entrepreneurs provide a registered employment figure of 11 million, making up 75% of national income. The experience, these strong roots have been the source of the universities’ rapid growth. When our students graduate this community’s doors are opened to them. 86% of our graduates have started their careers.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the most important difference between TOBB ETU and other universities is the opportunity for joint education, allowing students to start their professional lives with a year of actual work experience.

- Advice to the students from Hisarcıklıoğlu

Hisarcıklıoğlu addressed the students; “A hard four years are ahead of you. However, the prize at its end is great. If there is study, there is success. I want students to graduate as inventors. I have three pieces of advice. You must dream. Success is impossible without dreams. Dream big and set goals to achieve that dream.”

- Dreams of Presidency and Prime Ministry

After Hisarcıklıoğlu’s speech, the students stated among their reasons for choosing TOBB ETU the opportunities for double majoring and learning abroad.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also commented on the dreams of the students he met previously and their graduations.

Hakan Koçak stated that he had chosen the university for the similarity of the program to that of the Constitutional Court. Hisarcıklıoğlu, who was at the time sitting in the front row, turned to the academics behind him and said, “The future President of the Republic is sitting behind me. Just so you know, his goal is to become the President. That is why his goal is the Constitutional Court. That is how you will train him.”

Ankara Science High graduate Bilgehan Yurtcan stated his goal for the last ten years to become the Prime Minister, upon which Hisarcıklıoğlu commented, “You will train him to be the Prime Minister.”

Tuba Nur Erbay, placing 15th and entering the History Department of TOBB ETU stated that she chose the university for the double foreign language and major opportunity. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Tuba had originally been a İmam Hatip High School graduate, “There are issues with our vocational schools. If it weren’t for her vocational high school she would have placed 1st in Turkey as her points were negatively impacted.”

All of the students briefly spoke, relating their dreams and goals and the reasons for which they picked TOBB ETU.

In closing, Hisarcıklıoğlu presented the former TOBB ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Yücel Altunbaşak, newly appointed to the Presidency of TÜBİTAK, with a plaque and wished him success in his new post. Hisarcıklıoğlu also presented the students with various gifts.
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