Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) 2025-2026 Academic Year Faculty of Health Sciences Graduation Ceremony witnessed emotional moments filled with pride and hope. Students graduating from Departments of Social Work, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation stepped into their future lives taking their diplomas following years of effort and dedication.
The ceremony held at Sezai Karakoç Cultural Center, was attended by BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Bekir Hakan Bakkal and Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, Zonguldak Provincial Director of Family and Social Services Mehmet Türkmen Köse, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Zehra Safi Öz, senate members, academic and administrative staff, 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.
Thanks from Faculty Valedictorian Çünüş
Faculty of Health Sciences Valedictorian, a student of Department of Social Work Betül Çünüş shared her thoughts and feelings in her speech on behalf of all graduating students.
Expressing that her success does not only belong to her, Çünüş stated that her family, professors, and friends contributed to her achievements. Thanking her family who supported her all her life, Çünüş extended her gratitude to Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer for his support in the development of the faculty on behalf of all graduating students. Highlighting that she completed her studies with love, Çünüş thanked the professors who contributed to their education with their academic knowledge and skills.
Dean Koçak: “We Are Proud to Raise Qualified Health Professionals”
Following the valedictorian’s speech, Dean of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Sibel Koçak made evaluations on the academic success of the faculty and academic activities. Koçak stated that Faculty of Health Sciences raised health professionals thanks to the educational activities at Departments of Social Work, Nursing, and Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Congratulating graduating students, Dean Koçak expressed her thanks to Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer for his supports.
Rector Özölçer: “We Are Sending Off Health Professionals of the Future”
In his remarks on the significance of the day, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer commemorated the belated student from Department of Nursing Uğur Ayaz and stated the following:
“I would like to commemorate our student from Department of Nursing Uğur Ayaz, who lost his life last year, with mercy. I pray for Allah’s mercy upon our student who has departed for eternity, and may his abode be in Paradise. We are sending off valuable students graduating from Departments of Social Work, Nursing, and Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. I don’t only see young people who are ready to receive their diplomas here, I see nurses who will show compassion for the patients, physiotherapists who will be hope for people, and social workers who will be strong representatives of social solidarity. Dear students, take great names of science and knowledge throughout your professional lives as examples. Be committed to national values and Atatürk’s principles and revolutions. Work for the goal of Türkiye Century. I congratulate all our students and wish them a peaceful, healthy, successful life.
Çünüş’s Achievement Immortalized on the Ceremonial Log
Following the speeches, Betül Çünüş, the top student of the 2025–2026 Academic Year Faculty of Health Sciences, affixed the plaque bearing his name onto the ceremonial log together with his family, leaving a permanent mark of her achievement in the university’s history. Within the scope of the program, faculty second-ranked student Buse Demirtopcu, and third-ranked student Hande Nur Eren were presented with plaques and certificates of achievement. In the second session of the program, students from Department of Nursing, in the third session students from Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation were presented with their diplomas and ranking students were presented with certificates of achievement.
Graduation Oath and Cap Toss Celebration
Subsequently, the graduation oath was taken. 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 serve taking responsibility in order to protect and improve human health —left the hall amid emotional moments. The program concluded after commemorative group photographs were taken.
