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 Kazım Balkış.
Kazım Balkış has been a member of the Sabancı University family since 22 November 1999. Kazım Balkış, who has been working at Sabancı University for 21 years, worked at University Services and Operation and Technical Services units.
He is currently responsible for Network Infrastructure Systems and Telephone Exchange Systems in the Purchasing and Operations Directorate.
Kazım Balkış’s answers to our four questions are below.
What was your initial memory / impression of when you met Sabancı University for the first time?
K.B: On 1 May 1999, I had a job in mind, the company I was working for at the time forced me to work at the construction site of Sabancı University. I objected, saying “Today is my holiday, I will not work.” It was no good, they sent me right to the site. I was shocked when I arrived. There was dust everywhere; workers, cranes, towers, cement mixer trucks coming and going constantly in a synchronized way. It was as if there was martial law, you could not work however you wish. Even the safety helmet became my friend, I was chatting with it. We had to postpone even our vital need while working in the site. We were soldiers and the architect in charge was the military police, constantly trying to find our mistakes. The buildings were being completed one by one in these fast-paced months. As the buildings were being completed, we were feeling proud of our work. One day, I found myself in the technical office instead of the dusty construction field upon a job offer. However, there were still constructions from time and time and I was back out there. It is a different feeling, constructions attract me.
What are the differences between yourself 20 years ago and yourself today, and how did Sabancı University contribute to that change?
K.B: 20 years ago, I was in my 30’s, full of energy. But working at and being a technical employee in an educational institution, I think, is a privilege. You have to constantly improve yourself. You get to know different peole from different nationalities and cultures from students to the teaching staff and administrative staff due to the nature of the job, you have to address problems and come up with solutions and you get to improve your communication skills over the years.
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?
K.B: When you say Sabancı University, I think of the slogan of 20 years ago, “Creating Together”. The world is rapidly developing, needs are changing, the technology is rapidly advancing; financial problems, political developments, management styles are deeply affecting all individuals and institutions. We have to constantly refresh to keep up with the process. I think our new slogan should be “Producing together”. If we do not produce something together, we lose.
I think that in the near future, different concepts of management will be developed in the world.
Organizations that cannot produce in this process will not have a chance. When my relationship with the organization is over, I will focus on my personal development, I plan to attend various courses, I have an artistic aspect, and I feel I need to reveal my abilities.
Where and how would you be now if your paths hadn't crossed with Sabancı University?
K.B: I would probably continue to work in technical jobs.