The Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) 2025–2026 Academic Year Zonguldak Vocational School Graduation Ceremony was held with great enthusiasm. Emotional moments were experienced during the graduation ceremony of Zonguldak Vocational School, which educates qualified human resources for a wide range of fields from industry to the service sector, while students and their families shared the joy of crowning years of hard work and dedication.
The ceremony, held at the İsmail Hakkı Güngör Sports Hall, was attended by District Governor of Kilimli Kübra Demirer, BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Mayor of Kilimli Kamil Altun, senate members, academics, students, and their families.
The program began with a moment of silence in memory of the nation's revered martyrs and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem. A folk dance performance presented by the Black Sea Folk Dance Team of the Kilimli Public Education Center received great appreciation from the audience. Following the performance, the program continued with the speech of the valedictorian of the vocational school.
An Emotional Speech from Valedictorian Yılmaz
Şeyma Yılmaz, a student of the Construction Technology Program who graduated as the top student of Zonguldak Vocational School, shared her thoughts and feelings with the participants in a speech delivered on behalf of all graduates.
Stating that university life had taught her not only to earn a diploma but also to be patient, persevere, and remain strong, Yılmaz emphasized that the knowledge, experience, and friendships she gained throughout her two-year education would always hold an important place in her life. Expressing that graduating as the top student of the school was an indescribable source of happiness and pride for her, Yılmaz thanked her family, academics, friends, and the university administration for supporting her throughout her journey to success.
Director Su: “Vocational Education Is the Foundation of a Strong Future”
Following the valedictorian, Prof. Dr. Okan Su, Director of Zonguldak Vocational School, took the podium and shared his evaluations regarding the school’s academic and practical training activities.
Stating that the school successfully continues its educational activities in the programs of Construction Technology, Business Management, Logistics, Accounting and Tax Applications, Tourism and Hotel Management, Mining Technology, Mapping and Cadastre, Biomedical Device Technology, and Radio and Television Programming, Su emphasized that students graduate equipped not only with professional knowledge but also with a sense of responsibility, work discipline, and practical skills.
Prof. Dr. Su stated that he believes the graduates will undertake important responsibilities in public institutions and the private sector and congratulated all graduating students. Thanking the academics who contributed to the education of the students, Su also expressed his gratitude to Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer for his contributions to the university, his student-oriented approach, and his support for vocational education.
Rector Özölçer: “Know Yourself and Continue to Develop Throughout Your Life”
Taking the podium to deliver his speech on the meaning and importance of the day, BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer addressed the graduating students with the following remarks:
“Our University continues to educate young people who will help shape the Century of Türkiye in many fields, from engineering to social sciences and humanities, and from healthcare to education. How fortunate we are that today we have the privilege of sending 238 distinguished graduates, who have completed their education in nine different programs within our Zonguldak Vocational School, into professional life. When I look at our graduates today, I do not see only young people preparing to receive their diplomas. I see a generation that will undertake important responsibilities in our country’s industry, public institutions, and private sector.
On the 39th anniversary of his passing, I would like you never to forget the words of one of the great thinkers of our intellectual world, Cemil Meriç, whom we commemorate with mercy and respect:
‘Knowing yourself is the greatest of all virtues.’
Yes! Know yourselves. Discover your talents. Let your achievements guide you throughout your lives, and always have a stance, an idea, and a perspective. We love you very much and are always proud of you. We wholeheartedly believe that you will represent our University in the best possible way wherever your careers may take you. With these thoughts, I congratulate you on your graduation and wish you success, happiness, and good health in the years ahead.”
Yılmaz’s Achievement Immortalized on the Ceremonial Log
Following the speeches, Şeyma Yılmaz, the top student of the 2025–2026 Academic Year Zonguldak Vocational Year, affixed the plaque bearing his name onto the ceremonial log together with his family, leaving a permanent mark of his achievement in the university’s history.
Within the scope of the program, faculty second-ranked student Gamze Eraslan and third-ranked student Edanur Soğancı were presented with plaques and certificates of achievement. In the continuation of the ceremony, ceremonial diplomas were presented to the graduating students of the vocational school.
Graduation Oath and Cap Toss Celebration
Subsequently, the graduation oath was taken. Students made a promise to abide by the ethical principles, values and profesisonal responsibilities. Following the oath ceremony, students celebrated their graduation excitement with great enthusiasm by tossing their caps into the air, sharing the joy of graduation with their families, friends, and academics.
Bid farewell with applause, the students—who will work in fields from industry to service sector—left the hall amid emotional moments. The program concluded after commemorative group photographs were taken.
