Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) marked 24 November Teachers’ Day with a moving celebration entitled “A Day of the Teacher in the Light of the Republic”, an event filled with emotion, enthusiasm, and tribute to the educators who shape Türkiye’s future.

Coordinated by the Faculty of Education and held at the HKU Congress and Culture Centre, the programme opened with a moment of silence and a rendition of the Turkish National Anthem performed in sign language by students of the Special Education Society. The event was attended by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, Kalyon Foundation Chairwoman Reyhan Kalyoncu, HKU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, Faculty of Education Dean Prof. Dr. Latife Özaydın, education leaders, faculty members, teachers, and students.

A video collage entitled “News from Hasan Kalyoncu University Faculty of Education Alumni Teachers” was screened during the programme, paying tribute to all martyred teachers, particularly Aybüke Yalçın, Necmettin Yılmaz, and Ayşenur Alkan, who were remembered with deep gratitude.

Delivering the opening speech, Kalyon Foundation Chairwoman Reyhan Kalyoncu stressed that the gathering was not merely about a single day but a celebration of a great family that nurtures hope, warms hearts, and renews faith in the future: “The warmth and excitement filling this hall are the brightest signs of our strong belief in our country’s tomorrow. May our teachers thrive, and may the light they spread endure.”

Referring to a tree-planting ceremony she would attend later in the day, Kalyoncu added: “As the Kalyon Foundation, we are adding 10,000 olive and pistachio saplings in Kilis today to the 11 million saplings we have planted so far. We are dedicating these saplings to our university’s distinguished faculty members. We are honoured to offer such a gift in commemoration of Teachers’ Day.”

HKU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan highlighted teaching as the most powerful profession shaping Türkiye’s future, drawing attention to the university’s strong faculty and the success of its graduates: “Since its foundation, Hasan Kalyoncu University has continued to train some of Türkiye’s most qualified teacher candidates. The achievements of our graduates across the country fill us with pride.”

Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin underlined the importance of values-based education, saying, “What matters most today is the kind of children we are raising.” Thanking HKU academics, Şahin noted the university’s significant contribution to establishing Europe’s largest centre for people with disabilities and added: “I, Fatma Şahin, will personally endorse anything Hasan Kalyoncu University wishes to achieve.”

The programme concluded with a musical performance, a folk dance show, and a group photograph.