To celebrate the 20th year of our university, we have prepared a set of four questions to ask faculty and administrative personnel who have been with us since the beginning, and to our first students. They all tell "the story of 20 years" from their own perspectives.
Going in alphabetical order, this week's interviewee for "The Story of 20 Years" is Ali Alpar.
Ali Alpar has been a member of Sabancı University since September 1, 1999. He has been a member of the Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences for 21 years, is currently an Emeritus Professor, and was the Foundations Development Program Director from 2004 to 2010 in addition to being a member of faculty.
Below is what Ali Alpar, chosen "Best Faculty Member" by the graduation classes of METU in 1994 and Sabancı University in 2003, said in response to our questions.
What was your initial memory / impression of when you met Sabancı University for the first time?
A.A: When we moved in to our first offices on the top floor of the Information Center, the space was shared between the FENS and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). They brought in the separator panels. We at the FENS built our cubicles in neat squares starting from the window. I got lost when I went over to visit FASS. Over there, everyone had picked their own spot, and people who came later had taken spots close to the people they wanted, so it was literally a maze.
What are the differences between yourself 20 years ago and yourself today, and how did Sabancı University contribute to that change?
A.A: Well, I'm older, I have whites in my hair. But I don't feel old. Sabancı University made this possible with academic freedom and a culture of confidence that paved the way for a new kind of education. It didn't bring us down. Our job involves being with the youth; as long as relationships with the youth are open and friendly, we remain young as well.
What comes into your mind when you think of Sabancı University in 20 years? What are your dreams for Sabancı University for the next 20 years? What about yourself?
A.A: Being innovative and unique - or trying to be. It is a little worn after 20 years, but it's still there. What I want 20 years in the future is to have a participatory, transparent and self-confident culture firmly instilled. I want the hierarchical and mediocrist pressure in Turkey to die down, and us to live on as best example. Us being Sabancı University.
Where and how would you be now if your paths hadn't crossed with Sabancı University?
A.A: I would be retired but still teaching courses and doing research at METU.