The “Gratitude for Goodness Ceremony” organized by our university was held on February 17 at the M Hall of the Cultural Center on the Sıhhiye Campus. The ceremony was attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cahit Güran, representatives of donor organizations, and members of our university’s academic and administrative staff, as well as students.
The ceremony began with a musical performance by the Acoustic Trio of the Ankara State Conservatory of Hacettepe University. Following the recital, Beyza Türken, a scholarship recipient and graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, delivered a speech as part of the program. Emphasizing the importance of scholarship support in her life, Türken stated that financial hardship can make it difficult to dream, but thanks to the scholarship she received, she did not have to face such an obstacle, and she expressed her gratitude to the donors.
Ahmet Çiftçi, a scholarship recipient from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, also gave a speech at the ceremony. Çiftçi noted that when he was admitted to the university, he thought all difficulties would come to an end; however, due to limited financial means, he encountered various challenges. He emphasized that the scholarship was not only financial support but also a moral support that made them feel they were not alone throughout the process.
The event continued with the screening of our university’s promotional film. Following the screening, Prof. Dr. Rahime Şimşek, Coordinator for Alumni Relations at our university, delivered a speech highlighting the value of scholarships for both students and society. In her remarks, Prof. Şimşek stated:
“As the Hacettepe family, we are very pleased to witness the coming together of kindness, solidarity, and gratitude today. We are providing a great opportunity to support our students. Thanks to the ‘Hacettepe Yanında’ application, donors and students can connect with one another. Today’s students are tomorrow’s alumni. Today’s students mean alumni who will stand by their university in the future. Every support given to our students is not merely individual support but a significant investment in the future of society. Thank you very much for standing by us as we prepare our students for life.”
In his speech, our Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cahit Güran referred to our university’s academic achievements and emphasized the importance of scholarship support for our students’ future and the value of solidarity. Prof. Dr. Güran stated:
“Every year, our university continues to be a target institution for millions of young people taking the national university entrance exam. One out of every three students we admit chooses us as their first preference. One out of every four admitted students ranks within the top 10,000 nationwide, and 240 of our students are ranked within the top 1,000. These figures represent the success of our university. Among our students are many young people who struggle to continue their education due to hardships and who, thanks to scholarships, do not have to give up on their dreams. Thanks to your contributions, our students will be able to move forward with hope not only today but also tomorrow. For this reason, I would like to thank you for your support. I would also like to express my gratitude, especially to our President and our state, for enabling our students to access higher education free of charge.”
Addressing the students directly, Prof. Dr. Güran added:
“Dear students, one day, just like the hands extended to you today, you too will touch the lives of others. Remember that kindness is a legacy that grows as it is shared.” The ceremony concluded with our Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cahit Güran presenting plaques and certificates of appreciation to the representatives of the donor institutions.
