Graduation is not an end but a new beginning

On the 3rd day of the 2023-2024 Academic Year Graduation Ceremonies organized by Duzce University, the faculties of Sports Sciences, Art Design and Architecture, and Education celebrated their graduation. The ceremony, held at 15 July Democracy Square, was attended by Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Ilhan Genc and Prof. Dr. Ali Ozturk, deans, faculty members, students, and their families. Acting Dean of the Faculty of Sports Sciences, Assistant Professor Mensur Pehlivan, expressed gratitude to the families for their dedication and sacrifice, emphasizing that as a Faculty of Sports Sciences, they instill important values in students such as sharing, solidarity, and being responsible individuals towards society, in addition to professional knowledge. Pehlivan mentioned that they raise students who have national values and sports ethics, concluding his speech with words of encouragement for students to believe in themselves, be open to scientific knowledge and innovations, stating that students’ happiness and success will be the most valuable reward for them.
Graduated 141 students. Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, Prof. Dr. Kazim Ozkan Erturk, expressed pride in graduating 141 students at an important milestone filled with patience and perseverance. Erturk highlighted that graduation is not an end but a herald of a new beginning, encouraging graduates to set new goals, face new challenges, and achieve new successes. He congratulated the graduates and their families, emphasizing that their guides on this path will be their efforts and sacrifices. He urged the graduates not to be discouraged by obstacles but to let them strengthen them.
Bade farewell as teachers. In his speech, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Koc, expressed pride in bidding farewell to students entrusted to them as teachers, stating that teaching is a challenging profession. Referring to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s adoption of the teacher identity after the War of Independence, Koc emphasized the importance of never giving up and the faculty’s efforts to touch hearts, breathe life into souls, and encourage students to be themselves without fear. He concluded his speech by saying ‘We are glad you exist’.
Wished success in their professional lives. Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ilhan Genc began his speech by stating that universities have three important missions: producing scientific knowledge, educating individuals for professions, and sharing scientific knowledge with society. Genç mentioned that the students’ years from elementary school to university have come to an end, and from today onwards, they are embarking on a new life as professionals. Thanking the Duzce University academicians who have played a major role in the students’ specialization, Ilhan Genc wished success to the graduates in their professional lives, concluding his speech.
Following the opening speeches, Success Certificates were presented to students who achieved success in their faculties and departments; Graduation Certificates were presented to graduating students by the Duzce University Administration, academic unit managers, and faculty members. In the program that continued with the Oath of Teaching and PDR (Psychological Counseling and Guidance) for the Faculty of Education graduates, the Oath of Teaching was recited by Assistant Professor Aslihan Kuyumcu Vardar, and the PDR Oath by Research Assistant Sehide Kelek, accompanied by students and families experiencing proud moments.
At the Peak Ceremony where excitement peaked, students who successfully completed their departments and qualified for graduation threw their caps into the sky with great enthusiasm.