An 'ALS Awareness Workshop' was held in memory of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay at MAKÜ

Within Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ), an ALS Awareness Workshop was held to draw attention to ALS disease and to keep the memory of the late Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay alive. The workshop was conducted with high participation at the Faculty of Theology of MAKÜ.

At the event organized in memory of the former Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay, who lost his life due to ALS disease, scientific information about the disease was shared, and Onay's academic and humanitarian aspects were remembered. Before the program, a short video recorded by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay after learning about his illness was shown to the participants.

In his opening speech, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Dr. Recep Utku, stated that hosting such a meaningful program holds great value for them. Utku reminded that Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay made significant contributions to the faculty during his tenure and that his name is kept alive in the faculty library.

In the program, the medical dimensions and social effects of ALS disease were discussed under different headings. In the session titled “ALS as a Rare Disease,” information was provided about the definition, symptoms, and progression of the disease. In subsequent sessions, the importance of social support mechanisms alongside medical treatments in the fight against ALS was evaluated.

Prof. Dr. Hilmi Uysal, the President of the ALS-MNH Association Antalya Branch and a retired faculty member of Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, made important evaluations regarding the life processes of ALS patients. Uysal emphasized the physical and psychological challenges faced by patients and stated that family and community support play a critical role in the treatment process.

In the panel, Dr. Merve Nur Oktar also addressed the importance of psychosocial support and family solidarity for ALS patients. Dr. Furkan Atlan explained the emergence process of the “AksOnline” project, which aims to develop digital solutions for ALS patients.

At the end of the program, Dr. Ümmü Gülsüm Onay, the daughter of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay and a faculty member at Bucak Zeliha Tolunay Applied Technology and Business School, delivered an emotional speech describing her father's strong stance during his illness and its impact on the family.

Who is Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay?

Born in 1964 in the Kemer district of Burdur, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay began his education at Kemer Middle School and Burdur High School. Graduating from Atatürk University Faculty of Theology, Onay completed his master's degree at Ankara University and continued his post-doctoral studies at the University of Leeds in England.

Throughout his professional life, Onay held various positions such as mufti, inspector, preacher, and lecturer within the Directorate of Religious Affairs. Since 2003, he served as the Deputy Director of the Religious Publications Department. Known for his academic work and published works, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay also served as the dean of the Faculty of Theology at MAKÜ and retired in 2022.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Onay passed away on March 3, 2025, due to ALS disease.