The Story of 20 Years by Salih Arıman

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 Salih Arıman.

Salih Arıman has been a member of the Sabancı University family since 1 February 1999. Salih Arıman, who has been working at Sabancı University for 21 years, started his carrier at the university as the Management Support Coordinator and has been the Director of Institutional Development since 2000.   

Salih Arıman’s answers to our four questions are below.

What was your initial memory / impression of when you met Sabancı University for the first time?

S.A: In November 1998, when I was serving as a Quality Coordinator a textile company in Central Anatolia, I ran into Mrs. Münire Arıkol at the Quality Congress organized annually by the Quality Association together with TÜSİAD. I had met her before when she was working as the IBM’s Training Director and she later retired from Sabancı University’s BAGEM Directorship. As we were chatting, in response to my classic question of “What is going on in your life?”, she said, “We're building a university; we have a position for you, would you consider it?” It was a very attractive offer for me, even in that form, as I was already thinking about a career change at the time and wanted to move from the manufacturing industry to the services industry. I said “Yes, I would.”, without even asking questions like “What university?” or “What kind of position?” I think the respect and trust that I had for Mrs. Arıkol coincided with my search for a new job, all the pieces suddenly fell into place, and the word “Yes” spilled out of my mouth... I guess that is exactly how fate works… 

What are the differences between yourself 20 years ago and yourself today, and how did Sabancı University contribute to that change?

S.A: I lost my father 20 years ago, that is, in 1999. I had a significant career change and we had a big earthquake disaster.. These three events happened in a row, which very naturally changed my view of life. Instead of looking at everything in a very idealistic way and making very sharp decisions, it made me look at things holistically and focus on what creates value. Two very important people who allowed me to achieve this were Mr. (Tosun) Terzioğlu and Mr. (Hüsnü) Paçacıoğlu. May they rest in peace. But another 20 years have passed since these events, and being part of the team that has implemented almost every innovation in our institution has given me a lot of experience and happiness. Over the years, one learns to digest these experiences, use them more effectively. I have also realized the value of my teammates. Especially from our second Secretary General Haluk Bal, I learned that being human-centered is much more useful than being business-centered. 

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?

S.A: The year 2040... Sabancı University becomes the first university in Turkey to become one of the top universities in the world in THE rankings... Our graduates creates great change in the world; two of our graduates receives the Nobel Prize... A group of our faculty members working on material technology develop suitable materials for internal and external surfaces of spacecraft... We are a reference point in the world in the field of data analytics and cyber security... We have programs in areas such as urban life and product design... After my eldest daughter, my younger daughter gives me a granddaughter as well... My dream is that they are Sabancı students like their mother… 

Where and how would you be now if your paths hadn't crossed with Sabancı University?

S.A: Who knows? I would probably still be somewhere in the services industry, because that was my goal. Fortunately for me, I encountered a high-level service institution. I am really happy about that. I have met you and improved myself for the better.