Üsküdar University sent off its 12th term graduates!

Üsküdar University bid farewell to its 12th term graduates with the 2024–2025 Academic Year Graduation Ceremony. Graduates who received their diplomas experienced the joy of graduation with excitement and pride.

President of Üsküdar University, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: "True success is not about rising high, but about staying human when you are on top. The most important thing is to remain human in the age of artificial intelligence. We must become masters of people, not algorithms. We must uphold the morality of virtue."

Rector of Üsküdar University, Prof. Nazife Güngör: "From now on, work harder. However, never be ambitious. Adopt perseverance, but not ambition, while building diligence, entrepreneurship, and courage."

At the graduation ceremony held at the Haliç Congress Center, associate, undergraduate, and graduate students of the 12th academic term experienced both excitement and joy. This year, 7,274 Üsküdar University graduates took their first step into professional life.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Furkan Tarhan, and TARHAN - İDER Foundation Board Member, Fırat Tarhan. Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, Vice Rectors Prof. Hikmet Koçak, Prof. Sevil Atasoy, Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, and Advisors to the Rector Prof. Mehmet Zelka, Prof. Muhsin Konuk, Prof. İsmail Barış, Prof. Tayfun Uzbay, Prof. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, and Prof. Elif Erhan were also present, along with many faculty members.

During the two-day graduation ceremony, students were presented with their certificates.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Graduation is not an end, but a new beginning”

Addressing graduates and their families, President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, shared significant messages based on personal memories and life experiences.

Emphasizing that graduation is not an end but the beginning of a new life, Prof. Tarhan said,
"University life teaches more than even military service. Here, not only academic skills but also social and emotional competencies are acquired. Therefore, graduation is not the end, but the start of a rebirth."

"Be the master of humans, not algorithms"

Prof. Tarhan advised young people to aim not only to have a profession but also to have a conscience: "True success is not about climbing to the top but about staying human while being at the top. I suggest you ask yourselves: Have I managed to remain human in this profession? The most important thing is to stay human in the age of artificial intelligence. We need to master people, not algorithms. We must uphold the ethics of virtue."

"The university gave you a key"

Using a key metaphor to describe the university's role, Prof. Tarhan said,
"The university did not load you with information; it gave you a key. We gave you the key to the treasure of knowledge. It is up to you to search for and unlock that treasure. Just like a diver, you will dive into the deepest parts of the ocean of life with your equipment and retrieve the pearls of your dreams."

"Be like water on the journey of life"

Advising the graduates to "be like water" on the journey of life, he said, "Water does not forget its goal and never gives up. A stone may block its pat, but it flows around it. A rock may stop it, but it carves through it drop by drop. But what pierces the rock is not the force of water, it is its persistence. Life is just like that. As Mevlana says: 'How wonderful to migrate from one place every day. How beautiful to settle in a new place daily. To flow without getting muddy or freezing, how lovely.'"

"Doctors sometimes cure, but often console"

At the end of his speech, he addressed the graduates of the Faculty of Medicine, recalling Ibn Sina’s advice to physicians: "Doctors sometimes cure, but often console. People in distress need information, but it must be conveyed with compassion, without hurting or offending. This has a much greater impact." He concluded by wishing success to all graduates.

Prof. Nazife Güngör: “Graduation is a milestone”

In her speech at the ceremony, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör addressed both students and their families, delivering an emotional message. Describing graduation as a “milestone,” she emphasized that the university strives to contribute meaningfully to students’ life stories.

"This is the moment!"

"For the past four, five, or even six years, from the moment you stepped through our doors, we have been working on strategies to contribute to your life stories in the most productive, enjoyable, and meaningful way," said Prof. Güngör, adding that their goal is to raise not only well-equipped graduates but also individuals enriched with human values.
Looking at the graduates, she said, "This is the moment. Now we see before us our bright, sparkling achievements, which are our beautiful, radiant creations, and we are filled with joy."

"Do not be ambitious; adopt perseverance as your principle"

Stating that the real challenge begins now for the graduates, Prof. Nazife Güngör offered valuable advice to the young graduates: "Now is when your real impact on humanity will begin. From now on, you are taking the baton on the journey of life. You are assuming full responsibility for our country, our world, and humanity." Prof. Güngör, continuing with her guidance, said: "From now on, be even more hardworking. But never be ambitious; while weaving diligence, entrepreneurship, and courage, adopt perseverance, but not ambition, as your principle. Do not aim to win a race; aim to be strong together. Your goal should not be to surpass others, but to grow together with others as you continue on this journey."

"This is not a farewell, it is the greeting of a new beginning"

Emphasizing that graduation is not a farewell, Prof. Güngör said: "This is not a goodbye; it is the greeting of a new beginning. In the period ahead, we will continue this journey together, with pride and honor in all of you."

Prof. Güngör also thanked the families and professors for their efforts: "You have brought these young people to this point. This has not been an easy journey. You trusted them, and you trusted us. Together, we are making a significant contribution to the future of our country, our world, and humanity." She concluded with a heartfelt wish for the graduates: "May your path be clear. May it be filled with beauty, success, productivity, and honor."

Awards presented to top graduates

One of the most exciting moments of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to the top-ranking students. Third place was shared by Beyzanur Karadağ and Naor F. A. Abuamer from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. They received their awards and copies of the book Being a Conscious Youth from Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör and TARHAN - İDER Foundation Board Member Fırat Tarhan.

Second place was awarded to Arzum Atılgan from the Department of Psychology and Canan Solmaz from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. Arzum Atılgan received her award from Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Furkan Tarhan.

Inspiring Speech from Valedictorian Vedat Yıldırım

With a perfect GPA of 4.00, Vedat Yıldırım from the Department of Software Engineering was named the valedictorian. He placed the plaque bearing his name on the school’s honor log. In his speech, Yıldırım shared the challenging journey behind his success: "Exams, projects, coding sessions that lasted until morning, and two-hour metrobus rides from Beylikdüzü to Üsküdar… Every one of these experiences taught me perseverance and not giving up." Thanking his family and professors, he added: "We all worked very hard, we got tired, but we made it. I wish all of us new goals and brand-new beginnings."

His award was presented by President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan.

Meaningful Message from an International Student to Future Doctors

Speaking on behalf of international students, Soundous Bensalah, a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, reflected on the challenges and lessons of medical education: "Even if we become accustomed to seeing many patients, we must never, ever see them as just a number or a name. We must always see them as human beings."

Applause for champion athletes

One of the most vibrant moments of the ceremony was when champion athletes who raised the university flag across Türkiye were invited to the stage. Athletes from basketball, football, volleyball, kickboxing, and boxing teams received loud applause as they stepped onto the stage with their trophies. The university administration thanked each athlete and coach individually and celebrated their achievements.

The athletes also presented their signed jerseys worn in competitions as gifts to the university administration.

Later in the ceremony, master's degree diplomas were presented, followed by the diploma ceremony for the Faculty of Medicine. The Medical School Oath was administered by Prof. Haydar Sur.

Successful communicators were also honored...

At the ceremony, outstanding students from the Faculty of Communication received their awards from Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Prof. Nazife Güngör, and Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Prof. Gül Esra Atalay. Ayşe Nur Ateş, a student from the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema, was awarded “Best Experimental Film” at the 31st International Adana Golden Boll Film Festival. İbrahim Karahasan, a finalist at the 58th International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival and the Adana Golden Boll Film Festival, also won “Best Student Short Film” at the Madrid Short Film Festival in Spain. Serdar Karan from the Department of New Media and Communication was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement” award in the 34th Young Communicators Competition organized by the Turkish Journalists Association and the Aydın Doğan Foundation with his project “Unnecessary Sensitivity Toward the Visually Impaired.” In the same competition, Şahin Deniz received second prize in the Internet News category for his project “The Resistance of Green: Türkiye's Environmental Struggle.” Mukadder Güneş, Zeynep Erva Karaçay, and Georg Abdurrahimov from the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema were awarded second prize in the Documentary Film category in the TRT Communicators of the Future Competition with their project “Türkiye’s Space Journey.”

Graduates threw their caps in the air

Following the awarding of diplomas, students of the Faculty of Communication took part in the flag and banner handover ceremony. The graduation celebration ended with students tossing their caps into the air and embracing their families.

Additionally, graduates from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Vocational School of Health Services also received their diplomas during the ceremony.

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)