Our university's 2022-2023 Academic Year Opening Lecture was performed by Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu

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Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu's Turkish-German University 2022-2023 Academic Year Opening Lecture on "The Role of the Ottoman Empire in the Formation of the Modern World" was held on October 3, 2022 at the TAU Classrooms Building Conference Hall.
The program was opened with a moment of silence in memory of the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our martyrs and the National Anthem. Our Rector Prof. Dr. Cemal Yıldız, our General Coordinator Prof. Dr. Ferit Küçükay, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Aysel Uzuntaş, Prof. Dr. Hamide Ozden Ozkaya Ferendeci, Prof. Dr. Ali Gökhan Yavuz, faculty deans, faculty members and students attended the program.
Our Rector Prof. Dr. Cemal Yildiz who made the opening speech of the program said: “As the Turkish-German University family, we will try to light the fuse of a good start together and keep the science fire alive throughout the 2022-2023 academic year. With the power we get from science, we will strive to be the architect of development, progress and actions that can be beneficial to ourselves and humanity.” Rector Yıldız underlined that the most important dynamic for his goal of creating a distinguished “Turkish-German University” label in the national and international academic community is the synergy to be created with the academic/administrative staff and students and stated: “We are on the eve of a new academic year in which we will take valuable steps together to be the best. Let's not forget that acting together in harmony will make the steps we take meaningful.”
After our Rector, TAU General Coordinator Prof. Dr. Ferit Küçükay talked about our university's practice-oriented studies, its multicultural atmosphere, partner universities in Germany and close collaborations in the German industry. Küçüay wished the students success in their studies, saying “TAU offers you an ideal forum to prepare for your future life”.
Ece Ay, Climate Ambassador of Turkish-German University, made a speech at the program and emphasized the “Climate Ambassadors” movement carried out in our country within the framework of the Paris Climate Agreement, which has universal and legal binding on global warming and climate change. Ay called for the fight against the climate crisis saying, “We continue our efforts to leave a better world to future generations with 209 climate ambassadors from 81 provinces.” 
After the instrumental concert performed by Hande Baş and Enes Ayduvan with violin and guitar, Milli Savunma University’s Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu was invited to the stage. As part of the lecture on "The Role of the Ottoman Empire in the Formation of the Modern World", Prof. Dr. Afyoncu emphasized that the Ottoman Empire was one of the most important actors in shaping today's world with the political and religious policies it followed during its 600-year rule. Rector Afyoncu said that today 30 countries and some of 20 countries were under Ottoman rule for centuries and many of their characteristics were shaped in this period. He stated that thanks to the conquests of Rumelia, Orthodoxy was experienced in the Balkans, European national monarchies were saved from disappearing, Protestantism spread in Germany, North and East Africa were freed from colonization and Christianization and he also explained the aspects of Ottoman domination affecting today's world politics under the headings of the military effects of the Ottoman army in many European states, especially Russian, Hungarian and Spanish. Prof. Dr. Afyoncu stated that with all these aspects, the Ottoman Empire influenced the world history and played a major role in shaping the modern world.
At the end of the opening lecture, Turkish-German University’s Rector Prof. Dr. Cemal Yıldız presented his gift to the Rector of the Milli Savunma University Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu. After the conversation of the guests in the foyer area, Turkish-German University’s 2022-2023 Academic Year Opening Lecture program ended.