Life lessons from president Ozgener
The 2018-2019 ‘’Academic Year Graduation Ceremonies’’, with more than five thousand audience, 1213 graduates, and 20 thousand followers watching on social media, started with good news.
The ceremony started with the Rector, Prof. Murat AŞKAR’s welcome speech, and some of the audience had to watch from giant screens, as the amphitheater was over- crowded.
Mahmut ÖZGENER, Chairman of Izmir Chamber of Commerce, and President of Izmir University of Economics Board of Trustees, shared the 4 stages for success and his life experiences with the newly graduates.
‘’DREAM BIG, WORK HARD, TRUST YOURSELVES AND BE COURAGEOUS’’
President Özgener’s; “First of all, never give up dreaming. Read the life stories of all political leaders who changed the world history, artists who made a breakthrough, and great scholars who made great inventions. You will see that they all dreamt big. Read about our great leader Ataturk, and remember that when everyone lost their hope, he envisioned a country greater than today’s Turkey’’ speech received a standing ovation.
Özgener continued his speech as, “Secondly; never give up working. If you want to be successful, you need to work hard. If you want to be happy, work hard, if you want to be free, be productive. Thirdly; be courageous. Do not look for walls to lean on. Do not abstain from searching for new ways. Most of all do not be afraid to make mistakes, or try out new things worrying that you might lose money, and never make it again.
Finally; never give up believing in yourself, fear that you might become like others, do not be afraid to be alone, find your own path.”
Özgener also addressed the parents in his speech, where he said, “Memories of our children, when they started to read for the first time, or received their first report cards, are still fresh in our minds. Today, those children qualified to receive a university diploma from a best value university. The most esteemed scientist of Turkey had raised them as free individuals. They are very well aware that differences are richness, and democracy is a virtue. They internalized love and respect in their conscious. Trust them. We trust them one hundred percent.”
Özgener continued his speech with good news and said that the University expanded the opportunities provided for students. “In 2018-2019 Academic Year, students, who graduated in first, second and third place, will be eligible for absolutely free master’s and Ph.D. study as a ‘graduation with distinction award’. Top students of undergraduate departments will also benefit from this scholarship. They, too, will be eligible for free master’s and Ph.D. study. Additionally, top students of vocational schools, who are eligible to transfer to undergraduate programs, will benefit from this award. In the past, scholarships of students who were doing double major and extending their education period were discontinued, they are not anymore. We are one of the few universities that provide continuous scholarship,” stated Özgener.
FIRST AND SECOND PRIZE GO TO FEMALE STUDENTS
Büşra Bektaş, Fatma Kılıç, and Mert Yenice, highest-ranking students of the university (joint first place) attached a star on the commemorative symbolic log with Mahmut Özgener, Chairman of Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO), President of IUE Board of Trustees, and IUE Rector Prof. Murat Aşkar. Graduates of Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Communication, Faculty of law, and Faculty of Health Sciences also received their diplomas at the ceremony as the families proudly watched their children on stage. Şahin Tin, Denizli Congressman of AK Party, Selami Özpoyraz, President of IZTO Council, Members of IUE Board of Trustees, and a great crowd of academicians attended the anniversary ceremony.
“GUARANTEED INTERNSHIP”
Özgener stated that they took a huge step in provision of internship demanded by students. Özgener said, “We are promising a guaranteed internship for all students starting from the next academic year, with the collaboration of Izmir Chamber of Commerce and IUE Career Guidance Center. These well-planned internships will also contribute greatly in your employment. Izmir needs you, and that is why we see the entire Izmir as our campus. Our accomplishments in CampusIzmir will be exemplary to all universities, we will be carrying out the university-city collaboration in every way we can. Rest assured that you are backed up by the power and business connections of 80 thousand membered Izmir Chamber of Commerce so the diploma of Izmir University of Economics is recognized all across the world.”
The almost three-hour ceremony ended with graduates proudly threw their caps into the air. It was a sight to see as majority of the parents shed tears of joy.
