Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) held a commemoration program at the Law Amphitheater to honor the students, alumni, and citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake. The program began with a moment of silence and the national anthem. Following the recitation of the Quran and a prayer, a conference titled “Resilient Cities to Earthquakes” took place.
Speaking at the commemoration program, HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli said, “The February 6 earthquakes deeply wounded our hearts and left scars. However, the support and solidarity that emerged during this difficult time strengthened us all and reinforced our unity. Hasan Kalyoncu University made every effort to support our students, staff, and earthquake survivors during this challenging period. We worked together tirelessly to heal the wounds of the earthquake. We mobilized to meet urgent needs, provide shelter and health services, and offer psychosocial support. In İslahiye, we established a service unit at the Kalyon Container City, the first temporary living center activated after the earthquake, where our academic and administrative staff provided services on a rotating basis. In addition to our efforts in İslahiye, we also operated in two tent cities in Kahramanmaraş and Adıyaman. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to these efforts. I hope that we never experience such disasters again. I extend my condolences to the families of the students, alumni, and citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake.”
Following the conference on “Resilient Cities to Earthquakes” conducted by Prof. Dr. Hanifi Çanakçı from HKU Faculty of Engineering and Prof. Dr. Serhat Yenice from HKU Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture, a panel titled “HKU Family in the Earthquake Process” moderated by Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Özgür Osman Demir, the Student Dean of HKU, took place. During the panel, academics, volunteer students, and earthquake survivors from Bektaşlı village in the Kırıkhan district of Hatay shared their experiences and stories related to the February 6 earthquakes. The program concluded with an emotional visit by HKU Board of Trustees Deputy Chairman Haluk Kalyoncu, Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli, academics, and students to the area on campus where trees were planted in memory of the students and alumni who passed away in the February 6 earthquakes. The program ended with a prayer service at Elif Mosque.
