Sabancı University Founding Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı addressed the graduates of professional programs
- Anyone wishing to succeed in their jobs needs to keep up with this new world, and even see one step ahead.
- Technology brings new jobs and new ways of doing business.
- This is my 40th year in business. But even after 40 years, the idea of learning to code excites me.
- I hope you always stay up to date with the latest, and maintain your enthusiasm to be a part of the change.
- Know yourself; define your priorities well; do not hesitate to ask for help, ideas or thoughs; see challenges as opportunities for development; and persevere.
- Love the job that you do. Remember that only a path taken passionately and with confidence in its importance can lead you to success.
The Sabancı University Professional Graduate Programs Commencement was held at the Sabancı University campus in Tuzla on Saturday, October 20, 2018.
260 candidates graduated from the Sabancı University Information Technologies, Energy Technologies and Management, Data Analytics, Finance, Brand Practice, Management, Management for Professionals, and Executive MBA programs.
Speaking in the ceremony, Sabancı University Founding Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı referred to the first commencement of Sabancı University in 2001. Saying that the first commencement of the school was also for graduate students, Güler Sabancı remembered Sabancı University Honorary Board of Trustees Chair Sakıp Sabancı and Founding President Tosun Terzioğlu, who had also spoken in that ceremony.
Looking at our graduates, I can see that we have delivered on the promise made at the first commencement
Güler Sabancı quoted the words of Sakıp Sabancı: “Our greatest strength is an educated youth. Today's Ahmet, Meral or Kemal will soon become general managers, executives in important positions. They will fly our flag and represent our image in Turkish and multinational companies. This is the sentiment that our university will work in. We will promise to find the best of the best." Güler Sabancı said that, looking at Sabancı University graduates, she could see that they had delivered on the promise made at the first commencement, and continued to work together in even greater dedication to go forward.
Güler Sabancı continued, “A good education is focused on the human. It improves them in all dimensions, teaches them knowledge, compels them to look for the better. A good education takes you ahead of the competition, drives progress. The fact that you are here today shows that you realize few things matter in life more than receiving a good education."
We witness the miracles and ruthlessness of technology every day
Saying that Sabancı University graduates possessed competencies that are recognized anywhere in the world, Güler Sabancı continued, “You graduate at a time when humanity is going through one of its most rapid transformations in history. We witness the miracles and ruthlessness of technology every day. Technology influences every aspect of our lives, brings new jobs and new ways of doing business. This is evidenced by the development of our graduate programs and the departments added over time, like data analytics and energy technologies."
Güler Sabancı stated that anyone wishing to succeed in their jobs needed to keep up with this new world, and even see one step ahead, adding that graduation was an important step in the process to reinvent oneself, but not an end in itself.
Even after 40 years, the idea of learning to code excites me
Güler Sabancı said, “As the young generation of executives, you must always stay current with new competencies and skills to take your careers and yourselves further. "This is my 40th year in business. But even after 40 years, the idea of learning to code excites me. I hope you always stay up to date with the latest, and maintain your enthusiasm to be a part of the change."
Words of advice by Güler Sabancı to graduates
- Know yourself;
- Define your priorities well;
- Do not hesitate to ask for help, ideas or thoughs;
- See challenges as opportunities for development;
- And persevere.
- But most important of all, love the job that you do.
- Remember that only a path taken passionately and with confidence in its importance can lead you to success.
Also speaking in the ceremony, Sabancı University President Zehra Sayers said, “One of our key objectives at Sabancı University is to continuously reinvent ourselves, provide our students with the best learning environment, and give back to the society with research and other activities."
Discussing Sabancı University's success in Turkish and international rankings, Zehra Sayers said that Sabancı University was the first Turkish institution in the top 400 of the Times Higher Education 2019 World University Rankings. Zehra Sayers added that Sabancı University continued its leadership on the University Entrepreneurship and Innovation Index.
Speaking about the needs of the 21st century, Sayers mentioned the capabilities that graduates needed to have in order to be different from others. Sayers said that the 21st century would be an era of major changes in environment and climate, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biotechnology and quantum, and that the changes had the potential to affect human life both positively and adversely. She continued by saying that the changes would have implications on politics, economics, finance and education as well.
Zehra Sayers concluded by saying that the most critical requirements of the 21st century were flexibility, continuous learning, and turning situations into opportunities through adaptation skills.
The ceremony continued with a speech by Management for Professionals valedictorian Çiğdem İltemir Carino on behalf of graduates, and Zeynep Bahar Çelik on behalf of the Alumni Association. Graduates received their diplomas at the end of the ceremony.