Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “I see the Palestinians as a profound global example…”

Üsküdar University’s 2025–2026 Academic Year was inaugurated with an official ceremony. The opening speeches were delivered by President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, and Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör.

The first lecture of the new academic year was given by Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak on the topic “The Psychopolitics of Gaza.”

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated, “The trauma Gaza is experiencing is not only Palestine’s but humanity’s test of conscience,” and added, “I see the Palestinians as a profound global example. They refrained from actions that would target innocent civilians like suicide commandos in order not to become unjust while being in the right. The people of Gaza defended their own homeland. They did not act outside the teachings of their faith.”

Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak: “In the eyes of humanity, I too declare the Palestinians victorious; they have shown great resistance.”

Prof. Nazife Güngör: “Quality is now our constant agenda.”

Üsküdar University, which began its journey as Türkiye’s first thematic university in the fields of behavioral sciences and health, and which continues to lead many academic initiatives in medicine, science, health, and technology, opened the 2025–2026 Academic Year with a ceremony.

The ceremony, held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall on Üsküdar University’s Main Campus, was attended by Üsküdar District Governor Adem Yazıcı, former Member of Parliament and Rector’s Advisor Halide İncekara, and former Grand National Assembly member Mustafa Ataş, along with many guests. The opening speeches were made by Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and Prof. Nazife Güngör, while the first lecture of the new academic year, “The Psychopolitics of Gaza,” was delivered by Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Rector’s Advisor.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Our goal is to reach the top 500 band.”

In his speech at the opening of the 2025–2026 academic year, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that the university’s international success in such a short time was achieved through a team spirit and a systematic management approach.

He reminded that in the Times Higher Education rankings, Üsküdar University is ranked first among foundation universities in Türkiye and in the 600–800 band worldwide, stating, “This success shows that we have managed to enter the global league of universities in just 10 to 15 years. Our goal is to reach the top 500 band.”

“We aim to be a system-based society.”

Prof. Tarhan emphasized that Üsküdar University adopts a student-centered vision and upholds fair and transparent governance principles. He noted that the values of criticizability, freedom, pluralism, and participation, included in the university’s motto, form the foundation of its institutional culture.

“The greatest feature of developed societies is that they are system-based societies. Power should lie not in individuals but in rules. At our university, we are building such an institutional structure; even if people change, the system should continue to function,” he said.

Prof. Tarhan also stated that Üsküdar University has fostered a strong sense of belonging among both students and staff. “This shared belief and unity are the most important guarantees of our success,” he concluded.

Prof. Nazife Güngör: “Quality is now our constant agenda”

Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör emphasized in her speech at the 2025–2026 Academic Year Opening Ceremony that the university continues to move forward confidently with the principles of “quality” and “team spirit.”

“Quality is now our constant agenda,” said Prof. Güngör, noting that quality assurance and accreditation processes are among the university’s top priorities. She added, “We have submitted our quality application to YÖKAK. We hope to share the joy of receiving our quality certificate in November. We have worked hard on this path, built our system, and now we are waiting with great excitement.”

“We are a university that produces science”

Prof. Güngör underlined that scientific production, in addition to education and training, is one of the university’s core missions. “In recent years, there has been a significant increase in TÜBİTAK projects and scientific publications. In the past year alone, we doubled our publication count and tripled the number of approved projects. Our patents, TÜBİTAK achievements, and the awards our students have received all reflect the rising momentum of Üsküdar University,” she said.

Expressing that Üsküdar University’s global visibility continues to grow each year, Prof. Güngör stated, “We have risen to the top 600 in the Times Higher Education rankings. We are now a member of the Association of Turkish Universities, which is a very valuable step for us. Our contacts with other international associations are ongoing. Üsküdar is now a university that transcends borders.”

“We have succeeded in becoming a team”

At the end of her speech, Prof. Nazife Güngör emphasized the concept of “being a team,” stating that a strong team spirit lies at the core of the university’s success. “One of Üsküdar University’s most important characteristics is that it is a harmonious team. Being a team is not just being together but forming an emotional bond. We have achieved this emotional unity. This university is a family,” she said.

Highlighting the importance of President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan’s leadership in fostering this unity, she added, “Our professor’s leadership has connected all of us to one another. There is no other option now, because we are a team.”

“The Psychopolitics of Gaza”

The first lecture of the new academic year was delivered jointly by Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak on the topic “The Psychopolitics of Gaza.” They emphasized that the events in Gaza have not only political but also deep psychological and spiritual dimensions.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “We are facing a form of ethnic narcissism”

Explaining the psychological mechanisms behind genocide and relating the situation in Gaza to historical examples, Prof. Tarhan said, “Just as in the time of Hitler, today we are facing a form of ethnic narcissism. Beliefs such as ‘a superior race’ or ‘a chosen people’ serve to legitimize evil.”

He noted that the dominant discourse in Israel is shaped by the idea of “we are superior, we are defending the promised lands,” and that this mindset has been turned into a political interpretation of religion. “Generations raised with this mentality do not see the other side as human. This normalizes cruelty,” he said.

“People in Gaza experience constant loss”

Referring to the trauma experienced by the people of Gaza, Prof. Tarhan cited Freud’s concepts of “mourning and melancholy” and Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy approach. “People in Gaza experience constant loss but have no time to grieve. Yet, they endure by giving meaning to their suffering. As Viktor Frankl said, ‘If a person gives meaning to their pain, they can endure it.’ For the people of Gaza, this meaning is shaped through martyrdom and faith,” he explained.

“The trauma Gaza is experiencing is not Palestine’s, but humanity’s test of conscience”

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan described the resilience in Gaza as an example of “post-traumatic growth,” stating, “These people did not accept defeat. They transformed trauma into hope and resistance by giving it meaning. This has also stirred the global conscience.” Drawing attention to the silence of the world, Prof. Tarhan added, “The greatest reason for the spread of evil today is silence. Those who remain silent in the face of evil become its partners. The trauma Gaza is experiencing is not only Palestine’s but humanity’s test of conscience.” In his analysis, which centered on the representation of space in individual and collective subconsciousness, Prof. Tarhan emphasized the necessity of rebuilding peace and hope through the meanings attributed to sacred spaces.

“The people of Gaza defended their own homeland”

Evaluating the resistance of the Palestinian people within both psychological and ethical frameworks, Prof. Tarhan said, “I see the Palestinians as a profound global example. They refrained from actions that target innocent civilians like suicide commandos in order not to become unjust while being in the right, and that earned them respect. The people of Gaza defended their own homeland. They did not act outside the teachings of their faith. There is also strong evidence showing that Israeli captives were treated with great care.”

Highlighting the importance of preserving peace and preventing trauma from turning into catastrophe, he added, “To be able to stand firm under such conditions in this war is truly a great achievement. Hopefully, we will live to see days when Gaza is talked about less.”

Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak: “The situation in Gaza is a planned and organized genocide”

In her speech, Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak described the situation in Gaza not merely as a war or conflict but as a planned and organized genocide. She noted that genocide is an assault not only on the human body but also on the human soul, identity, and memory, saying, “This is an understanding that dehumanizes individuals and reduces them to statistical data.”

“The normalization of evil”

Addressing the stages of genocide, Prof. Kaynak explained, “First, a group is classified ethnically or culturally, then it is stigmatized, and afterward dehumanized. At this point, its annihilation becomes legitimized, because people no longer see those on the other side as human.” Emphasizing the concept of “the normalization of evil,” she referred to Hannah Arendt’s analysis of the Nazi officer Adolf Eichmann’s trial, stating, “According to Arendt, the most dangerous form of evil is the one that becomes unnoticeable. When humans normalize evil, cruelty becomes invisible.” Prof. Kaynak emphasized that what is happening in Gaza is not only about loss of life or physical destruction but also a systematic assault on collective memory, identity, and the imagination of the future. “An attack on space and displacement are, in essence, the same thing. The destruction of a place does not only mean the disappearance of human bodies. A place is a space of memory, of shared relationships, of a collective story. The targets of these attacks are not only individuals but also shared living spaces,” she said.

“Gaza is the center of Palestine”

Recalling Gaza’s central significance for Palestine, Prof. Kaynak stated, “Gaza has a particular meaning. It is the heart of Palestine. This genocide is an assault on collective memory. Living under constant threat of death, hunger, and danger creates the perception of a ‘collapse of the present time.’” Highlighting the importance of international awareness, she added, “This is a matter of humanity. Such a scale of genocide is taking place live, before the eyes of the entire world. In the eyes of humanity, I also declare the Palestinians victorious; they have shown great resistance.”

Acknowledgments to ISIF 2025 award-winning researchers

At the well-attended ceremony, acknowledgments were presented to researchers who received awards at the 10th International Invention Fair (ISIF 2025), along with the 50th Year in Profession Plaque Presentation Ceremony.

Award recipients included: RA Dr. Ebru Sağıroğlu, who won a Bronze Medal for the project “Umbilical Cord Training Kit.”, Assoc. Prof. Uğur Çini and Hamada M.R. Abujazar, who received a Bronze Medal for “Electronic Smart Siphon Adapter System for Greywater Utilization.”, Assoc. Prof. Ayça Demir Yıldırım, Assoc. Prof. Tuğba Yılmaz Esencan, and Asst. Prof. Günay Arslan, who were awarded a Silver Medal for “Heel Prick Blood Collection Device.”Under the leadership of Dr. Cihan Taştan, team members Beyza Aydın, Buse Baran, Beste Gelsin, Hasret Araz, and İlayda Çavdar received a Silver Medal for the project “(Rareasy) One-Step & Dry RT-PCR Diagnostic Kit for Early Detection and Carrier Screening of SMA Disease.”, Dr. Dt. Hacer Fulya Üçem was honored with a Gold Medal for her project “Temporomandibular Hypermobility Apparatus.”

50th year in profession plaques

At the ceremony, plaques were presented to mark the 50th Year in Profession.
Accordingly, Prof. Nazife Güngör, Üsküdar University Board of Trustees Chairperson Furkan Tarhan, and Üsküdar University Supreme Board Member Fırat Tarhan presented a 50th Year Plaque to Prof. Nevzat Tarhan.
In addition, Prof. Sevil Atasoy, Prof. Osman Çerezci, Prof. Mehmet Savsar, and Prof. Mehmet Yakup Tuna, who have also completed 50 years in their professions, were each honored with plaques.

Plaques for Prof. Hüsnü Erkmen, Prof. Nurper Ülküer, and Prof. Oğuz Tanrıdağ, who were unable to attend the ceremony, will be presented at a later date.

Academic promotion and gowning ceremony

The Academic Promotion and Gowning Ceremony, along with the 2025 Doctoral Graduation Diploma Presentation, was also held. Academics promoted from associate professor to professor and from assistant professor to associate professor donned their new robes during the ceremony. Likewise, those promoted from research and teaching assistant positions to assistant professorships also received their robes.

The event, which was broadcast live on ÜÜ TV and Üsküdar University’s official YouTube channel, concluded with a group photo session.