Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President and TOBB University of Economy and Technology (TOBB ETU) Board of Trustees Chairman M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the iftar dinner held by the TOBB ETU Alumni Association (TOBB ETU MED) at the university campus.

Hisarcıklıoğlu addressed the alumni, freshly returned from his US visit.

“I am joyed to be here among you,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu, “I see the future of Turkey in you. Today, Turkey’s greatest advantage is its young population. This is both an opportunity and risk for us. The way to turn this into opportunity is through entrepreneurship. We must create entrepreneurs and leaders from among us. I am filled with pride when I see entrepreneurs like you.”

- “Each year we go higher”

Drawing attention to the list of the most enterprising and innovative universities in Turkey published by TÜBİTAK, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We were at the 10^th place in 2012; 9^th in 2013; 8^th in 2014. Each year, we go higher.

In a survey conducted by Business Week with 16,000 students to determine the most preferred universities, students were asked about the strongest properties of various universities. Many universities were lauded for their position and transportation. Our strongest property, on the other hand, is joint education and the academic staff. This shows that we are on the right path.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have completed the 10^th year at the university and that they have conducted a vision workshop with the deans of the university to discuss the second decade of the school.

- The TOBB ETU spirit

Reporting that there are very important duties which fall to the alumni in order to bring the university to new heights, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu went on, “We promote our university at every opportunity. That is why I urge you to form the TOBB ETU spirit. In order to increase the institutional feeling of belonging, wear this alumni pin and show pride in it. We must embrace our university.”

- “Think big”

Providing advice to the alumni, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “You’ve taken steps into life. Thinking big would become you. Whatever you do, whatever position you hold, think big. Think big and act accordingly. Don’t act with tomorrow in mind; think ahead 10, 20 years.

Do not be afraid to lose while doing this. Steve Jobs was fired from the company he himself had established. He went on to make his company one of the largest in the world. Walt Disney was fired from his first job for lack of imagination and original ideas.

Never forget that you can fail. Think big because there is a very large family behind you. Feel that power. Do you know what our greatest strength is? It is this unity. We must show more unity at every opportunity. Do not be afraid to ask for our aid. We will reach our goals together.”

- TOBB ETU MED planted a sycamore

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu along with Rector Deputy Prof. Dr. Adem Şahin, Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Tahsin Kesici and TOBB ETU MED Chairman Burak Tolga Terzi watered the sycamore tree planted in the campus by TOBB ETU MED. Afterwards, Hisarcıklıoğlu chatted with the alumni.