The Graduation Ceremony was held at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) for the students who completed their education as part of the Quota for Women Aged 34 and Above. The ceremony held at BEUN, which celebrated its second group of graduates under the Quota for Women Aged 34 and Above, witnessed emotional and proud moments.
The ceremony held at Sezai Karakoç Cultural Center, was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Şenol Hakan Kutoğlu, Prof. Dr. Bekir Hakan Bakkal, and Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, Senate members, academic and administrative staff, students, and their families.
Starting with a moment of silence and singing of the National Anthem, the program continued with a musical performance by State Conservatory students.
They Didn’t Quit Their Dreams
Ebru Ay Çiçek, First-Rank Graduate of the Ahmet Erdoğan Vocational School of Health Services, within the scope of the Quota for Women Aged 34 and Above, shared her joy with the audience in her speech.
Emphasizing that her years at the university didn’t just provide them with professional information but taught determination and the value of achieving together in her speech, Ay Çiçek expressed her gratitude to her family, academics, and friends for their support.
Rector Özölçer: “This Ceremony Proves That Dreams Are Ageless”
Speaking in the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer stated the following:
“We are here to witness a beautiful example of patience, determination, sacrifice, and perseverance. Our valuable graduates didn’t just finish a higher education program but demonstrated that dreams can be postponed but should never be quit.
When we refer to the history, we can see the great labor and sacrifice of women behind the success. This strong legacy, which stretches from Hayme Ana and Safiye Ali to Tomris Hatun and Şerife Bacı, continues in the success of our graduate students here today.
The Quota for Women Aged 34 and Above program led by President of Council of Higher Education Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, is a significant step that strengthens equality in higher education. This program that is in line with the “Family Year” vision announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan opened the doors for the women who had the dream of education at heart.
Most importantly, this project is a significant response to the “it is too late” understanding common among people. Students graduating today are a great example to this response. I would like to extend my gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Council of Higher Education Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and YÖK community for the project. I congratulate all graduates and wish them success.”
Diplomas Were Presented and Graduates Celebrated with a Cap Toss
Following the speeches, top-ranking student within the scope of the Quota for Women Aged 34 and Above Ebru Ay Çiçek, second ranking graduate Birgül Öğünç, from Devrek Vocational School Program of Traditional Handcrafts, and third ranking student Arzu Aydın, from Ahmet Erdoğan Vocational School of Health Services Program of Elderly Care, were presented with certificate of achievement by Rector Özölçer.
Following the program, graduate students were presented with ceremonial diploma and the certificate of sapling donation in their names by senate members. Following the oath ceremony, students tossed their caps and shared their joy with their families and academics. The ceremony concluded with a commemorative photo.
