The “Mehmet Akif Ersoy and the Spirit of Çanakkale” programme, organised by the Hasan Kalyoncu University Faculty of Education within the scope of the 101st anniversary of the adoption of the National Anthem and the “Commemoration of the Çanakkale Martyrs” events, moved the audience.
The programme began at the Hasan Kalyoncu University Congress and Culture Centre with a moment of silence and a performance of the National Anthem in sign language by students of the Special Education Society. It was attended by Cemal Kalyoncu, Chairman of the Hasan Kalyoncu University Board of Trustees, Muammer Güler, former Minister of the Interior, Mehmet Büyükekşi, former Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli, academics and students.
Cemal Kalyoncu, Chairman of the Hasan Kalyoncu University Board of Trustees: “We exist to work with all our strength for this unique land and to contribute to the prosperous future of our nation through knowledge, science, education and production.”
In his speech, Cemal Kalyoncu, Chairman of the Hasan Kalyoncu University Board of Trustees, said: “Our heroic ancestors changed the fate of our nation with the victory they achieved in those days. The unity, solidarity and brotherhood displayed at Çanakkale ignited the self-confidence necessary for our War of Independence. You should be sure that it is this lofty spirit that won the battles of Çanakkale. On this road taken with no intention of turning back, unshakable love of homeland and the consciousness of being a nation are our greatest wealth and strength. Drawing strength from the legacy left to us by our ancestors who made the world say ‘Çanakkale shall not be passed’, our esteemed nation will always keep our country above the level of contemporary civilisations. We, too, as Kalyon, are a great family that has internalised the spirit of Çanakkale and adopted ‘Do not fear!’, the first call of our National Anthem, as our motto. We are courageous, determined individuals of our strong Türkiye who look to the future with hope. We are here to work with all our strength for this unique land and to contribute to the prosperous future of our nation through knowledge, science, education and production. We are here to do what is said to be impossible and to achieve what is said to be unachievable, without fear and without turning away from the path we believe in. In doing so, we protect our values and exalt them, and by saying ‘we are the future whose roots lie in the past’, we carry our ideals into the future. On the ground of science, knowledge and wisdom that flourishes at Hasan Kalyoncu University, under the guidance of our successful academic staff, we are happy to raise young people who will take on many important roles in the Türkiye of the future. So that our red flag may wave with boundless pride in these dawns, both our university and our companies within Kalyon Holding, together with our thousands of employees, are willing to work tirelessly and to create value for our country. With these feelings, I commemorate all our martyrs with mercy and gratitude.”
Muammer Güler, former Minister of the Interior: “The mission of Hasan Kalyoncu University is not only education and teaching, but raising what we call the generation of Âsım.”
Speaking at the programme, Muammer Güler, former Minister of the Interior, said: “I am one of the signatories of the motion for the name of Hasan Kalyoncu University to be ‘Hasan Kalyoncu’. I carry the honour of this. Today we witnessed a very important event. We are in a very important week for the commemoration of Mehmet Akif Ersoy and our martyrs. In addition to the adoption of the National Anthem on 12 March, we are crowning Çanakkale on the anniversary of a major turning point in our history such as 18 March. This year the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge was built. It is a very important work. It will become clear how science shows the way, who is able to do it and who deserves it. The mission of Hasan Kalyoncu University is not only education and teaching, but raising what we call the generation of Âsım. You are in the home of learning that will give you this mission. I commemorate Mehmet Akif Ersoy and our Çanakkale martyrs with mercy and gratitude.”
Güler, who also recited a quatrain from Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s poem “To the Çanakkale Martyrs”, advised the students to graduate from Hasan Kalyoncu University as young people who have internalised this poem.
At the programme, Prof. Dr. Bülent Güven, Faculty Member at the Faculty of Education of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ), gave a conference titled “The Spirit of Çanakkale and Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s Understanding of Education”.
Duygu Elişen, a 4th-year Special Education Teaching student at Hasan Kalyoncu University and representative of the barrier-free unit, who won first place in the Mehmet Akif Ersoy poetry recitation competition organised by Hasan Kalyoncu University, received a standing ovation for her recitation of the poem ‘Bülbül’. Elişen’s award was presented by Cemal Kalyoncu, Chairman of the Hasan Kalyoncu University Board of Trustees; the award of Ekrem Gülmaya, who came second, was presented by Muammer Güler, former Minister of the Interior; and the award of Mustafa Taşçılar, who came third, was presented by Mehmet Büyükekşi, former Chairman of TİM. The oratorio “Hakk’ın Sesi Mehmet Akif” (The Voice of Truth, Mehmet Akif), prepared by Faculty of Education students, enchanted the audience.
