Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) held the 2024-2025 Academic Year Graduation Ceremony with a program that was full of enthusiastic and meaningful moments. The first step of the ceremony was taken with Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar laying a wreath at the Atatürk Monument in Cumhuriyet Square.
Then the celebrations continued at the MAKÜ İstiklal Campus Stadium. The ceremony was attended by Burdur Governor Tülay Baydar Bilgihan, Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, protocol members, university administration, academicians, students, and their families.
‘Koca Çınarlar’ also graduated
At the ceremony, which started with a procession at the stadium, approximately 7,000 students who graduated from MAKÜ's 13 faculties, 4 schools, 13 vocational schools, and conservatory experienced the excitement of throwing their caps; a meaningful surprise also moved the guests. The university graduation dreamt of by the residents of Burdur Hilmi Hafize Evin Nursing Home was realized this year under the leadership of the Center for Aging Studies Application and Research (MAKÜ YAŞAM). The elderly individuals, who wore their gowns and threw their caps, left their mark on the ceremony as ‘Our Great Elders’.
Again at the ceremony, former graduates of the Faculty of Education, one of MAKÜ's well-established institutions that started its educational life in 1965 as ‘Burdur Girls' Teacher School’, were also present. Teachers who graduated between 1983-2000 experienced emotional moments by throwing their caps again after years.
Gaza was not forgotten
The 2024-2025 Academic Year Graduation Ceremony was not only a farewell but also a meaningful day where a strong message of solidarity was given. While experiencing the joy of graduation, students who did not forget social sensitivity showed that they were not indifferent to the pains experienced in different geographies of the world. Students who came to the ceremony area with placards containing support messages for Gaza expressed their support for the Palestinian people with a symbolic march.
Enthusiasm, pride, and gratitude were together
The ceremony, which started with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, was enlivened by the performance of the MAKÜ Folk Dance Team. Student representatives; Gülfer Sanar from the Faculty of Tourism on behalf of undergraduate graduates, Sara Çakır Karabacak from Gölhisar Vocational School on behalf of associate degree graduates, and Azerbaijani Nurlan Balayev on behalf of international graduates gave speeches. The tradition was not broken with the placement of a plaque on the graduation log.
Rector Dalgar: “We have raised not only qualified but also good people”
In his speech at the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar emphasized that students were equipped not only with professional competencies but also with ethical and human values. “Our university has not been ordinary, it has become an institution aiming to differentiate. We have been pioneers in applied education. However, it is not enough to raise only qualified people; it is also necessary to raise good, conscientious, and compassionate individuals,” he said. He called on graduates not to sever their ties with their university.
Rector Dalgar: “Your children graduated from a very good educational institution”
Addressing the parents, Rector Dalgar said; “You entrusted your precious, your pride and joy, your children to us, and we tried to raise them in the best way possible. Hopefully, we have succeeded. Please also believe that your children have graduated from a very good educational institution. When you trust them, we will hopefully see how successful they will be. We will all be proud of their achievements and the outstanding services they provide to this country. I congratulate you separately for the support and dedication you have given to your children, and for your patience.”
Governor Bilgihan: “Today is not just a graduation, but a turning point”
Burdur Governor Tülay Baydar Bilgihan also addressed the young people at the ceremony, saying; “Today is the beginning of a new period in your life. You will now walk on a new path where you will present what you have learned to the service of your country. I wish you all success.”
Awards, oath, and afterwards...
At the ceremony, awards were presented to students who achieved first place in their departments. Then Dr. Lecturer Hakan Acar had the graduates take the traditional graduation oath. All graduates, together with the nursing home residents and former graduates, threw their caps into the air, experiencing this special moment together.
The finale of the graduation came with music
The finale of the ceremony turned into a festival with music performances. Accompanied by the concert of Grup Pranga and the interactive performance of DJ Doğukan Alsay, students enjoyed themselves with their friends and fully experienced the joy of graduation.
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