Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the ceremony at TOBB ETU, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “With the decision of the University Senate, it was decided to award an honorary doctorate to Mustafa Abdülcemil Kırımoğlu, Deputy of the Parliament of Ukraine and National Leader of the Crimean Tatar Turks. Mr. Kırımoğlu honored us by accepting the title of TOBB ETU Honorary Doctorate. I would like to express my gratitude to them on behalf of myself, TOBB-ETU of which I am the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Turkish private sector.”

Stating that Crimea and Anatolia have shared both sorrow and joy together in history, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that although Crimea has been going through difficult days recently, a stronger and more prosperous future awaits Crimea. Hisarcıklıoğlu, who knew that they would always support and stand by the Crimeans as the Turkish business world, said: “Mustafa Abdülmecil Kırımoğlu is literally the description of love of homeland and love of the nation. For me, he is an older brother, a symbol of upright posture. He endured all manner of ordeals in the cause in which he was right, and did not take a single step back. And in the cause in which he was rightest, even when he was subjected to the greatest tortures, he spoke no other language than the language of peace. He defended his right not with violence, but with ideas. He is a real man of struggle who, on behalf of the Crimean people, has won all his positions not with violence, but with the truths on which he leans. What he says: If the blood of an innocent child is spilled in a struggle, it is not a success. There are many lessons to be learned from Mustafa Abdülcemil Kırımoğlu's struggle on behalf of all! For this reason, we are very happy to give him the title of honorary doctor as TOBB ETU today.”

- Hisarcıklıoğlu talked about TOBB ETU

Stating that as a university, they aim to raise conscientious and honest young people like Kırımoğlu in favor of peace and rights, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “TOBB ETU is the responsibility of the Turkish business world. It is a project to bring a new generation to our country that thinks freely, follows information, learns fast, produces technology and invents.

We are a young university that is only 18 years old. From our first years, we have been one of the most preferred universities in Turkey. Our university has now become a university that exports ideas and technology to the world. The joint education program, which we implemented by initiating a first in Turkey, became an exemplary model in industry-university cooperation. In short, TOBB-ETU is among the most successful universities in Turkey today with its program, education method, close relations with the business world and innovative approach it has brought in many areas such as R&D.”

In his speech, Kırımoğlu emphasized that he would do everything in his power for the struggle of the Crimean Tatar Turks and stated that he would ask for help from TOBB ETU to nationalize Russified education.

Following Hisarcıklıoğlu's speech, Kırımoğlu enrobed and given an honorary doctorate.