The Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN), İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, met with international students at an iftaar program organized by Karaelmas TÖMER and shared the spiritual atmosphere of the month of Ramadan together.
Reflecting the spirit of unity, sharing, and brotherhood of the month of Ramadan, the program was held at Cafe Akademi located on the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Campus. In addition to Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer and his spouse Seran Özölçer, the iftaar program was attended by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, Karaelmas TÖMER Director Dr. Ali Yumurtacı, Vice Director Lecturer Esat Öncül, academic and administrative staff, and international students studying Turkish at the university.
Different Cultures Came Together at the Ramadan Table
Closely engaging with the international students who earned the right to study in the university’s associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs in the 2025–2026 academic year and who continue their Turkish language education at Karaelmas TÖMER, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer spoke individually with the students throughout the iftar program and listened to their views and suggestions. The students expressed their satisfaction with studying at BEUN and being in Zonguldak, stating that learning Turkish has been an important experience for them.
In his conversations with the students, Rector Özölçer emphasized that Turkish language education is not only about teaching a language but also about building a strong bond between different cultures.
Rector Özölçer: “Our University Is a Big Family Bringing Different Cultures Together Under the Same Roof”
Speaking at the iftar program, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer stated that international students are an important part of the university’s cultural richness and expressed the following:
“By learning Turkish at Karaelmas TÖMER and preparing for their academic lives, our valuable students gain the opportunity not only to learn the richness of the Turkish language but also to become closely acquainted with the subtleties of the deep-rooted Turkish culture. In this respect, each of our students gradually becomes a cultural ambassador who builds bridges of goodwill between cultures.
I sincerely believe that the knowledge and experience gained at Karaelmas TÖMER, one of the distinguished units of our university, will always guide our students throughout their academic journeys. As individuals who speak, think, and feel in Turkish, our students will represent not only our university with its deep-rooted history but also our city of Zonguldak—symbolizing labor, energy, and cultural richness—as well as our country with its civilizational heritage, in the best possible way wherever they go.
We feel great pride and happiness for our students who choose our university by coming from different parts of the world to learn Turkish and Turkish culture. I wholeheartedly believe that they will represent the knowledge and experiences they gain here in the best way in their own countries and in different parts of the world.
On this occasion, I would like to sincerely thank all our academic and administrative staff—especially our Karaelmas TÖMER Director Dr. Ali Yumurtacı—who work with great dedication to ensure that our students learn Turkish and Turkish culture in the best way possible. I also wish our valuable students success in their academic lives. As the Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University family, we will always continue to stand by them and support them.
On the occasion of this meaningful gathering in the spiritual atmosphere of the month of Ramadan, I congratulate the Ramadan of our dear students and our entire university community. I hope that the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, which we will reach with peace and joy next week, will bring health, peace, and prosperity to our nation, the Islamic world, and all humanity. I pray to Almighty Allah that we may reach many more holidays filled with success together.”
Iftar Program Concluded with a Commemorative Photograph
The iftaar program, held in a sincere and warm atmosphere, concluded with students and academics taking a commemorative photograph together.
