On the 42nd anniversary of the foundation of Trakya University, the "Award and Academic Elevation Ceremony in the 42nd Anniversary Celebration" was held at the Balkan Congress Center.

The program started with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem and continued with the viewing of the introductory film of Trakya University and a music recital. After the recital, Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu delivered a presentation about the past, present, mission, vision, and goals of Trakya University.

Foundation of Trakya University

Rector Erhan Tabakoğlu started his presentation with the foundation of Trakya University and emphasized that the University was founded in 1361 with the conquest of Edirne and was the extension of 56 madrasahs. Tabakoğlu said, "In 1488, we gave the best medical education in the world in these lands. We were curing people with the sound of water and fragrances. We were the pioneers of a very advanced civilization." and stated that the history of Trakya University Hospital dates back to ancient times. He also stated that many institutes were established with the foundation of the Republic and that the University was renamed Trakya University in 1982.

Trakya University Students and Employees

Giving information about Trakya University students and employees, Tabakoğlu said, "We are a big family with nearly 44 thousand students, 1813 academic staff, 3000 administrative staff, and 4675 international students from 80 countries."

Quality and Accreditation

Tabakoğlu pointed out that the biology department was the first to receive an accreditation certificate and then all departments were accredited one by one. Stating that the increase in the number of employees and students is a matter of pride and that they attach great importance to quality, Tabakoğlu added that within the framework of quality, "We sat at 13 tables with all our stakeholders and reviewed each issue and produced solutions to these inquiries."

Sustainable Activities

Referring to the many activities organized at Trakya University, Tabakoğlu said that 100 activities were organized in the 100th anniversary of our Republic.

Museology

Stating that there are 7 museums and 1 collection belonging to Trakya University, Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu mentioned that one of the best medical education in the world was given in Darüşşifa, which was founded in 1488, and that patients were cured with the sound of water and the scent of roses. He noted that the Natural History Museum in Karaağaç Campus is one of the most visited museums and contains many species. He also stated that the İlhan Komen and Sculpture Museum, Güngör Danışman, and Güner Rıfat Arıbal Collection contain works by the best specialists. He mentioned that the Lausanne Museum, which reflects the period of the Turkish War of Independence, is one of the museums that host the most visitors in Edirne and emphasized the importance of the Balkan Universities Union Museum in the Balkan countries and the region. He said that in the recently opened İzzet Erbay Technology Museum, many objects that have technological importance in our lives are exhibited, from telephones to medical devices, from televisions to cameras.

Scientific Publishing

Stating that Trakya University is one of the leading universities in Türkiye in terms of scientific publishing, Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu mentioned that they have reached an important milestone in scientific publishing with 18 science journals.

Teknopark

"We are bringing dynamism to the region with 136 companies and 650 employees," said Tabakoğlu, mentioning that the Teknopark has become a story of succession. He also announced the opening of the international Teknopark in cooperation with Trakya University and Kosovo University of Business Technology (UBT).

Edirne Palace

Stating that they are currently working to ensure that the palace of a city that served as the Ottoman capital for 92 years is given the cultural and spiritual value it deserves, Tabakoğlu said, "Edirne Palace is being built very quickly. Edirne Palace, the biggest heritage of our city, which was transferred to the Presidency of National Palaces, will be restored."

Trakya University and the Balkans

He also mentioned that Trakya University has reached every point of the Balkans since the day it was founded and that there is no university it has not visited. He also stated that Trakya University allocated 80% of its international enrollment from Balkan countries with the decision of YÖK.

After Rector Tabakoğlu's presentation, academic and administrative staff were awarded Science/Art, Young Scientist/Art Person, High Service to Quality Management System, Contribution to Education, Administrative Staff Service Award for Administrative Staff who have completed their 40th year, and students were given Scientific/Artistic Activity Achievement Certificates. A total of 41 people who took part in student quality workshops and peer evaluation processes and contributed to education, science, and art received awards.

While presenting the award to Prof. Dr. Servet Altay, who received the award in the Science/Art category, Rector Tabakoğlu mentioned that Altay received the TUBITAK Science Award from the President and represented Türkiye in this field as the editor of Balkan Medical Journal. Altay stated that "Science and art remain where they are appreciated" and that Trakya University attaches great importance to science and art. Rector Tabakoğlu mentioned that Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alper Çiçek, who received the Young Science/Art Person award, is a new member of Trakya University and has articles in many important journals and stated that Çiçek's path as a young researcher is wide open.

Afterwards, awards were presented to 25 staff members in the Quality Management System High Service branch, 3 staff members in the Contribution to Education branch, and 3 staff members in the Administrative Staff Service branch who have completed their 40th year. Eight students were awarded with Scientific/Artistic Activity Achievement Certificates.

Following the communal photo shoot, the ceremony continued with the presentation of certificates to the newly appointed and promoted academic staff.

Science/Art Award: Prof. Dr. Servet ALTAY

Young Scientist/Artist Award: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alper ÇİÇEK

Quality Management System High Service Award: Prof. Dr. Osman Nuri Hatipoğlu, Prof. Ahmet Hamdi Zafer, Prof. Dr. Metin Aydoğdu, Prof. Dr. Şebnem Selen İşbilir, Prof. Dr. Tahir Altınbalık, Prof. Dr. Hilmi Kuşçu, Prof. Dr. Necdet Süt, Prof. Dr. İlknur Kumkale, Prof. Dr. Özlem Çetin Erdoğan, Prof. Dr. M. Kenan Terzioğlu, Prof. Dr. Mahmut Güler, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysu Zekioğlu Kurtuldu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Işıl Usta Kara, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlknur Taştan Boz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Yaş, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sela Can Dökmeci,  Lecturer Dr. Hayati Arda, Lecturer Dr. Özgür Özdemir, Lecturer Burak İşçimen, Lecturer Burçak Soyer Parlıyan, Lecturer Yağmur Dublen Göksu, Research Assistant Şeyma Yenioğlu, Head of Department Türker Tüküç, Head of Department Ayşe Gül Kuşlar, Chief Ömer Şahin Sakızcıoğlu

Contribution to Education Award: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Selçioğlu Demirsöz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hilal Keklicek, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammet Gürdoğan

Contribution to Education Award: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Selçioğlu Demirsöz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hilal Keklicek, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammet Gürdoğan

Scientific/Artistic Activity Achievement Certificate: Aslı Zaimoğlu, Ilgın İnaslan, Dilem Eylül Arslan, İzel Çevik, Büşra Göçen, Başak Yurtsever, Aybüke Büşra Gençer, Seher Gedik

 Translated by: Deniz Engin