International Student Science Congress Started in Gaziantep

“International Student Science Congress” organized by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) to contribute to the academic development of international students in Türkiye started in Gaziantep. At the congress, which will continue for four days, 148 papers will be presented by international students in 4 fields.

Within the scope of Türkiye Scholarships, “International Student Science Congress” program is organized every year by YTB in order to contribute to the development of the academic knowledge of international students studying at the postgraduate level in our country's universities and to support the production of science. The eighth congress, which has been held since 2015, started in Gaziantep this year. The inaugural meeting of the congress was held at Gaziantep University Mavera Congress and Art Center.

YTB ​​President Abdullah Eren, Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeper, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, rectors of relevant universities, academicians, NGO representatives and many students attended the inaugural meeting.

 “A Fairer World is Possible”

In his inaugural address, YTB President Abdullah Eren stated that he was very happy that the congress was being held in Gaziantep, which has recently developed rapidly and become the center of science and education. Stating that the Türkiye Scholarships program has become one of the most important tools of our country's educational diplomacy, Eren said, "With the paradigm shift in our foreign policy in the last 20 years, Türkiye began to take a sensitive approach to global issues and our country's hand began to reach out to different geographies."

Stating that there are successful individuals who graduated from Türkiye in very important positions all over the world, Eren said, “Our request from international students is this: Study well in your classes and graduate with good grades. We have graduates in very important positions all over the world. I hope that you, like them, will fulfill your duties properly. Wherever you are, remember Türkiye's struggle and that a fairer world is possible. When we say 'The world is bigger than five', I would like to point out that this is not just a word, we have made a lot of effort to make this motto a reality," he said.

 “You Are in the Land Where Civilization Sprouted”

Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeper started his speech by saying welcome to the students coming to our country from all over the world. Stating that the city of Gaziantep is the land where civilization sprouted, Çeper said, “You are welcomed from all over the world to our beautiful country and city. This is so special city. You are in the land where civilization sprouted. Every person is special to us. My Ethiopian, Azerbaijani, Syrian and Belarusian brothers are all equally special," he said.

 

“We Will Bring the Gaza Issue to the Agenda”

Pointing out that Anatolian people are a nation that takes it upon themselves to stand by the oppressed and the needy wherever they are, Çeper said, “Every nation, like every person, has a destiny. This nation and every state it has established has deemed its duty to stand by the oppressed and the needy wherever they are. We've done it this way forever. We feel great sorrow. Because right now, our brothers and sisters who are your age and who should be going to school like you are thinking about whether they will survive tomorrow under the bombs. We will bring the Gaza issue to the agenda in all the programs we organize to prevent these injustices," he said.

 “It Will Be Your Responsibility to Fix the World”

In her speech, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin reminded that we are witnessing a world where children die and are killed, and underlined President Erdoğan's words ‘A fairer world is possible.’ Stating that the efforts of young people are important to improve the world, Şahin said, “Where is the world going today? We are witnessing a world where children die and are killed. Unfortunately, we could not achieve social justice, achieve social development, or protect the environment. As we witness these developments in the world, our President's words 'A fairer world is possible' seem more meaningful. It will be your, young people, responsibility to fix the world. Our students who say 'I also have an understanding, a cause, a perspective' will make the future come true. We trust you very much”, she said.

In the program, Prof. Güner Dağlı, Rector of SANKO University, Prof. Türkay Dereli, Rector of Hasan Kalyoncu University, Prof. Şehmus Demir, Rector of Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University, Prof. Gülfettin Çelik, Rector of Medeniyet University, Prof. Arif Özaydın, Rector of Gaziantep University, and Prof. Mahmut Ak, Member of Higher Education Council, also made speeches.

The inaugural meeting of the 8th International Student Science Congress ended after a group photo.