Chairman's Speech

My name is Dr. Orhan Girgin and I am the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Traffic Accidents Aid Foundation in Turkey and Ufuk University We are a foundation university with a past. This began in 1964 with the foundation of the Turkish Modern Surgery Foundation. Prof. Dr. Muhittin Ülker—who was a professor of general surgery and who also taught me felt that after establishing this foundation, in the light of the high number of traffic accidents in Turkey and the abundance of reasons for them, that it deserved the status of foundation rather ‘association’. And he established a foundation like this. After working for many years this wonderful building we are currently in was built, despite many difficulties. Presidents of the day gave him their support. After our teacher Muhittin Ülker passed away in 1977, Certified Engineer Cemalettin İnkaya held the post of president for a short time. In 1978, Prof. Dr. Rıdvan Ege who was also my teacher—took over responsibility and was elected president. Upon his taking over this post, everything changed. I have been a part of this foundation since then. Congresses took place here along with great scientific projects. Suddenly our name really was everywhere. However Professor Ridvan aimed to establish a university. And with great honour and pride, in 1999, we established the place we are currently in—Ufuk University. It was originally founded in a small edifice which now forms the lower section of this building. However, because he knew what he was doing and because of his superior nature he initiated many great things. Firstly annexes were made and then a wonderful campus was established at İncek. In this way the health units remained in this building and other departments such as Law and Educational Sciences were transferred to the İncek Campus. A hospital with two-way education and high class academics was established. Our hospital really has the best location in Ankara and is operated and administered by academics and doctors of the highest quality. As a result of the determined endeavours of Prof. Dr. Rıdvan Ege, Ufuk University now holds the status of a sought-after, well-liked and well-known university. With over 1000 thousand employees on both campuses we have really begun to make a contribution in this. Unfortunately in 2016-2017 Prof. Dr. Rıdvan Ege suffered ill health and passed away in 2017. I was elected as his successor. Of course, after taking over his position, I am doing my level best to continue in his footsteps. We aim to provide a service, however whilst so doing we wish to educate. This may apply particularly to the Medical Faculty, but at İncek, education is at the forefront. With its contemporary and social facets, education is approached in all its aspects. We are a foundation university and because of this we keep afloat with the tution fees we obtain from students. All our efforts are sustained by this. For this reason we have a great respect for our students and their guardians. Without a doubt these guardians make great sacrifices in order to educate their children. We are well aware of this and we wish for them to do so with peace of mind.At this university students will develop both in social and educational terms. This is our pledge. Our great leader Atatürk’s saying that ‘Science is the most reliable guide in life’ has become our aim at the university. We have always stressed that science must be at the forefront. Be it on İncek or on the Balgat campus, all our academics and students are living out this approach. Ufuk University can be considered a young university. However we take each step confidently and correctly.This is because a belief in science, in education, in youth and doing what is required for these is our primary goal. Both here and in İncek we have two large conference halls. Every month at certain times we hold assemblies and conferences. In this manner we have made great developments. We are now in the 20th year since Professor Rıdvan established this university in 1999and we have come leaps and bounds in those twenty years. Two areas of particular importance are the scientific and the affective. In order for a hospital to prosper, its patients must be satisfied first.We foreground this. Whilst treating patients we teach it to our students. This is a great thing. A university having a hospital and a Medical Faculty is an important factor in its success. At İncek we have 4 faculties with students there—currently there are over 4000 students and over 5000 have graduated. Both today and tomorrow we have had graduation ceremonies. We have bid them all farewell.We have sent them to all parts and to every region of the republic of Turkey. And they will serve the country according to the ideas they have acquired here. What matters to us is a love of our homeland, our nation and our country. We instil this in our students. I am quite sure that we are successful in achieving this. Ufuk is a young university; however it is one with a future. This is what we are working to achieve. Thank you very much.