The 2025–2026 Academic Year Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center (Karaelmas TÖMER) Graduation Ceremony was marked by moments of pride and emotion as students from different countries successfully completed their Turkish language learning journey. Having learned the Turkish language and culture while preparing for their higher education studies, the students celebrated their graduation in an emotional ceremony.
The ceremony, held at Doç. Dr. Ali Arslan Conference Hall on Farabi Campus, was attended by Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Şenol Hakan Kutoğlu and Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Zehra Safi Öz, senate members, academic and administrative staff, and students. Beginning with a moment of silence for revered martyrs and singing of the National Anthem, the program continued with dignitaries.
Director Yumurtacı: “They Built Bridges Between Cultures Learning Turkish”
In his opening speech, Karaelmas TÖMER Director Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Yumurtacı stated it was a source of pride for us that students, who began their journey of learning a language in October 2025, are ready to graduate today. Emphasizing that students didn’t merely learn a language but had the opportunity to get to know Turkish culture, language, and lifestyle, Yumurtacı expressed his gratitude to all academics for their efforts in poetry, music, and theatre performances.
Highlighting Karaelmas TÖMER’s progress in recent years, Yumurtacı extended his gratitude to Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer for his contributions in attracting international students to BEUN through Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). He also stated that following his appointment as the Rector, Prof. Dr. Özölçer made significant contributions to increase international student mobility and strengthen the institutional capacity of the center.
Vice Rector Kutoğlu: “Turkish is a Bridge Bringing Hearts Together”
In his speech on the significance of the day, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Şenol Hakan Kutoğlu conveyed Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer’s greetings and congratulations. Emphasizing that Rector Özölçer wholeheartedly congratulates students who achieved a significant success learning Turkish, Kutoğlu thanked Karaelmas TÖMER academics for their dedication to teach the Turkish Language and Culture. Noting that Turkish is not just a communication tool, but a symbol of a historical background, civilization, and cultural richness, Kutoğlu stated that it is a source of pride for the university and the academics to see students’ success in their respective programs and social lives.
Turkish and Culture Festival Was Widely Appreciated
Following the speeches, cultural festival program started. As part of the program, students gave a presentation on the Turkish Alphabet, and songs such as “Ey Aşk”, “Sonsuz Ol”, “Unuturum Elbet” and Barış Manço’s “Domates Biber Patlıcan” were performed. In addition, the theatrical performance titled “Şehirler Konuşuyor (Cities Speak)” was staged, while students successfully performed works including poems by Rüştü Onur, a poet from Zonguldak and one of the prominent figures of Turkish literature, “Memleket İsterim (I Wish for a Homeland)” by Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı, “Sessiz Gemi (The Silent Ship)” by Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, and “Zonguldak (Yol Türküleri)” by Orhan Veli Kanık. The Turkish Classical Music Choir also received enthusiastic applause from the audience for its performance.
Memories Came to Life on the Screen, Creating Emotional Moments
One of the most memorable moments of the program was the screening of a graduation video prepared by the students, featuring interviews, photographs, and video clips. Accompanied by the song “Yeniden Başla (Start Again),” the video revisited the unforgettable moments of the students’ Turkish language learning journey, creating deeply emotional moments throughout the hall.
International Students Celebrated Their Graduation with the Traditional Cap Toss
The program continued with the students celebrating their graduation by tossing their caps to the accompaniment of “Yeniden Başla.” At the end of the ceremony, the students received their symbolic diplomas from Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Şenol Hakan Kutoğlu and Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, together with Karaelmas TÖMER Director Dr. Ali Yumurtacı. While the students experienced the joy of successfully completing their Turkish language learning journey, academics and guests in attendance accompanied this meaningful moment with warm applause.
The graduation ceremony, filled with emotion, pride, and hope, for students who came from different countries to learn the Turkish language and Turkish culture, concluded with commemorative photographs taken to mark the occasion.
