As part of the celebrations of the 102nd anniversary of the Republic, Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) held the programme “102 Years of Light: The Republic and Youth” in collaboration with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) Science High School.
The event, in which the enthusiasm of the Republic spread to every corner of the campus, began with a Republic March accompanied by the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Band, starting from the HKU campus entrance. After the march, the celebration programme continued at the HKU Congress and Culture Centre.
The programme was attended by HKU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Latife Özaydın, academic and administrative staff, students, and teachers and students of TOBB Science High School.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, which began with the Turkish National Anthem and a Moment of Silence, Küçükerdoğan emphasised that the Republic is the strongest symbol of Türkiye’s struggle for independence. She said: “As a university that exalts the ideals of science and education, the most valuable values of our Republic, we are proud to contribute to Türkiye’s progress towards brighter tomorrows. Hasan Kalyoncu University, with a structure founded on research, production and sharing, strives to guide the future of our country with young people raised in the light of science. With each of our students, we are honoured to be part of a journey of knowledge, labour and faith that strengthens the foundations of our Republic.”
Emphasising that the future of the Republic lives in the horizons, questions, curiosity and courage of students, HKU Dean of the Faculty of Education Özaydın drew attention to educators’ responsibility to keep alive the Republic’s ideal of modernisation, stating that their task is not merely to transfer knowledge but to raise young people who think, question, produce and are committed to universal values.
As part of the events, Asst. Prof. Dr. Murat Erkoç from the Department of Primary Education, HKU Faculty of Education, was the speaker at the conference titled “The Republic and Youth”. In his speech, Erkoç stressed that the Republic is not only a form of government but also a movement of enlightenment and liberation.
At the end of the programme, the HKU and TOBB Science High School 102 Years Echo Choir performed under the direction of TOBB Science High School Music Teacher and Choir Conductor Zişan Gülhan. The choir received great applause from the audience with the pieces they performed and created emotional moments.
