ITU Commemorated Atatürk with Gratitude on the 86th Anniversary of His Passing

ITU held a ceremony at the Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center on Ayazağa Campus to commemorate Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, on the 86th anniversary of his passing. The ceremony was attended by a large number of ITU students, faculty members, and staff.

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Family came together at the Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Commemoration Ceremony on Sunday, November 10, 2024. The ceremony, held at Ayazağa Campus, SDCC, started with a moment of silence accompanied by the sound of sirens and the reading of the National Anthem at 9.05, when the Great Leader passed away.

The ceremony was followed by the 10th Year Speech, and Mehmet Kaan Yıldız from the Department of Robotics and Autonomous Systems Engineering gave a speech on behalf of ITU students, emphasizing the meaning of the day. Our student drew attention to the fact that today, we live in a world where science and technology are rapidly changing, and that in order to exist in this world, we must always carry the Republic of Turkey to higher levels in science and technology, as in every field, on the path drawn by Atatürk. This goal of Atatürk is a call for us; it is an endless enlightenment walk of the Republic of Türkiye, which embarks on a journey based on science and reason. He emphasized that young people who embrace Atatürk's ideas will be the flag carriers of an enlightenment walk based on science and reason.

ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal emphasized at the commemoration ceremony that Istanbul Technical University, as an institution that produces science and technology and brings them together with the society with its history of over 250 years, has adopted Atatürk’s words, “The most reliable guide in life is science and knowledge,” as its motto and therefore has both excitement and a great responsibility. Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal underscored that they will make more efforts, primarily on behalf of humanity and Türkiye, by raising science and knowledge to higher levels for the Republic of Türkiye to live forever and to achieve the goal of a Fully Independent Türkiye.

Our Rector stated that they act with the inspiration they receive from Atatürk's foresight and with the awareness of the responsibility that comes with being one of the most established technical universities in the world; and that November 10th is not only a day of commemoration and mourning, as it is the anniversary of Atatürk's passing, but also of great importance in terms of evaluating the works he left us and explaining them better to the new generations.

Following the speeches, our Turkish Music State Conservatory Voice Training Department faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erhan Uslu and our Turkish Folk Dance Department student Muratcan Yaşan performed the “Sarı Zeybek Performance” together with an unforgettable musical recital in the commemoration program.

Atatürk Commemoration Run: A tradition at ITU

Inspired by Atatürk's strong advocacy for sports among the youth and the nation, ITU members gathered for the 40th annual Atatürk Commemoration Run and Walk, a yearly event held during Atatürk Commemoration Week from November 10th to 16th. The race, initiated by our Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Şenol Ataoğlu, started in front of the Central Sports Hall. Participants followed specified short and long race routes within the campus. All participants were awarded certificates at the end of the race to commemorate the event.