Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) 2025-2026 Academic Year Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Graduation Ceremony was held with great enthusiasm and pride. The ceremony, which witnessed the enthusiasm of young people who will shape the future in the fields of public administration, economics, business management, and international relations, created emotional moments.
The ceremony held at the Sezai Karakoç Cultural Center was attended by BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Zonguldak Provincial Head of İYİ Party Yavuz Erkmen, senate members, academic and administrative staff, students, and families.
The program began with a moment of silence in memory of the nation's martyrs and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem.
Faculty Valedictorian Durdu: “We Set Out to Be Respectable Individuals of the Future”
Valedictorian of Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Bünyamin Durdu shared his feelings and thoughts on behalf of all graduating students.
At the beginning of his speech, Durdu commemorated Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and honorable martyrs with appreciation and thanked all his professors who guided them in their university years.
Reminding the quotation of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, “Science is the truest guide in life”, Durdu stated the following emphasizing that they will advance in line with science and reason:
“Today we not only experience the joy of graduation. We also share the pride to be rewarded with labor, patience, and dedication of years. The biggest share of this success is our family’s. I extend my thanks to our families who supported us when we needed and stood by us when we lost hope. I extend my gratitude to our professors, particularly our Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer for his contributions to the development of our faculty. I wish health, peace, and success to all graduating students. May our path be clear, and our future be bright.”
Dean Çakmak: “Our Faculty Continues to Raise Qualified Human Resources”
Following the top graduate of the faculty, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ferda Çakmak, took the floor and stated that the faculty has been producing qualified graduates for the public sector, the private sector, and the academic world for many years.
Emphasizing that the faculty is becoming stronger day by day with its educational quality, academic productivity, and scientific studies, Prof. Dr. Çakmak said that the achievements of students are the greatest source of pride for the faculty.
Prof. Dr. Çakmak thanked Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer for his support to the development of the faculty and congratulated the graduating students. He also highlighted the dedication of academics and the sacrifices of families, wishing that the graduation would be beneficial for all students.
Rector Özölçer: “Strong States Rise with Well-Educated Human Resources”
Taking the floor to deliver his speech on the meaning and importance of the day, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer stated that graduates are not only receiving diplomas but also taking on important responsibilities that will shape the future of the country. He expressed the following:
“Our University is educating young people who will build our tomorrow in many fields, from education to health, from arts to sports. Our Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences is one of the most important units of this well-established center of knowledge. Our students, trained in fields such as economics, business administration, finance, political science, and international relations, have not only completed their programs. They have learned to take responsibility, make decisions, produce, and lead through the principles they have gained here. We know that strong states rise with strong institutions; and strong institutions rise with well-educated human resources. Each of our graduates today will be tomorrow’s manager of an institution, founder of a business, representative of a public organization, researcher, academic, or a thinker contributing to the development of our country.
As our Flag Poet Arif Nihat Asya says:
‘Take the light before you and walk! Whether your shadow follows you or not.’
You too, place the light of truth, science, conscience, and love for the homeland and nation before you, and walk with confident steps.
With these thoughts, I thank our esteemed families and academics for their outstanding efforts. Dear students, never give up working hard. Make it your goal to benefit your country. We love you very much and are always proud of you. I wholeheartedly believe that wherever you are, you will represent our University in the best possible way. May God keep your path open, your fortune bright, and your success everlasting.”
Durdu’s Achievement Immortalized on the Ceremonial Log
Following the speeches, Bünyamin Durdu, the top student of the 2025–2026 Academic Year Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 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 Berkay Özdemir and third-ranked student Gülsüm Sena Türkmen were presented with plaques and certificates of achievement.
Graduation Oath and Cap Toss Celebration
In the continuation of the ceremony, ceremonial diplomas were presented to the graduating students of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences by their academics. Subsequently, the graduation oath was taken under the supervision of Vice Dean Prof. Dr. Şenay Saraç.
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 become the future managers, economists, financiers, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and public leaders—left the hall amid emotional moments. The program concluded after commemorative group photographs were taken.
