The Opening Ceremony of Our University's 2026-2027 Academic Year Was Held with the Participation of the President's Chief Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security - Ambassador Akif Çağatay Kılıç

The opening ceremony of our university's 2026-2027 academic year was held on September 16, 2026, with the participation of the President's Chief Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security - Ambassador Akif Çağatay Kılıç, our Rector Prof. Dr. Cemal Yıldız, our General Coordinator Prof. Dr. Ferit Küçükay, our Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Leyla Coşan and Prof. Dr. Yunus Ziya Arslan, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Management Board of the Turkish-German University Support Foundation (TAÜV) Attorney Dr. Ali Ürey, our academic and administrative staff, and our students. Within the scope of the ceremony, Akif Çağatay Kılıç addressed the members of our university with an opening lecture titled "The New Dynamics of Power and Competition in the 21st Century: Technology, Security and Human Capital".

Our Rector: “I wish the 2026-2027 Academic Year brings health, success, and inspiration to all of us.”
The program, which began with the National Anthem and a moment of silence, continued with a musical performance by Maltepe University Chamber Music Ensemble. Following the musical performance, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Cemal Yıldız, delivered the opening speech, expressing his pleasure at the presence of Akif Çağatay Kılıç and stating that his participation was extremely significant in terms of the strategic friendship and cooperation in the field of higher education between Türkiye and Germany. Our Rector stated that Turkish-German University, with its unique structure blending the academic and cultural heritage of both countries, is considered a model on a national and international scale, and emphasized that the academic infrastructure, international collaborations, and institutional capacity of our University have been strengthened in the past period. In his speech, our Rector drew attention to the fact that the global labour market is changing along the axes of artificial intelligence, big data, digitalization, and green transformation, and emphasized the importance of students developing their research, project production, and practical skills in addition to theoretical knowledge. In the final part of his speech, our Rector stated, "I wish the 2026-2027 academic year brings health, success, and inspiration to all of us. I extend my thanks to Mr. Akif Çağatay Kılıç, who honoured us with his presence at this ceremony, to all our guests, and to our dedicated academic and administrative staff."

Our General Coordinator: “You are at the heart of our work. Your success is our shared responsibility.”
Our General Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Ferit Küçükay, stated in his speech that the fundamental element that distinguishes Turkish-German University is its unique model based on the goal of “mutually enriching” the higher education systems of both countries. Küçükay noted that approximately 120 German faculty members and scientists contribute to TGU's education and research activities, emphasizing that this collaboration is concretized through joint educational programs, international conferences, and research projects. Addressing the students, Küçükay said, “You are at the heart of our work. Your success is our shared responsibility.” Using these expressions, he invited students to benefit from the education, internship, exchange, and dual degree opportunities offered by our University.

Akif Çağatay Kılıç: “In the 21st Century, the New Dynamics of Power and Competition are Determined by Knowledge, Technology, and Qualified Human Resources.”
President's Chief Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security - Ambassador Akif Çağatay Kılıç, in his opening lecture titled “The New Dynamics of Power and Competition in the 21st Century: Technology, Security, and Human Capital,” stated that universities are not only institutions that transmit knowledge but also strategic institutions that produce knowledge, question, and shape the future of societies. Stating that Turkish-German University is an important indicator of the deep-rooted relations and scientific cooperation between Türkiye and Germany, Kılıç emphasized that in the 21st century, the power of countries is shaped not only by economic size, natural resources, or military capacity but also by their capacity to produce knowledge, technological competence, innovation, and qualified human resources. Kılıç, noting that artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, biotechnology, and space technologies have become important areas of global competition, stated that issues such as cyberattacks, disinformation, and energy and supply chain security are reshaping the understanding of security. Emphasizing that qualified human resources are at the heart of technological and economic transformation, Kılıç urged students to continue learning, be open to different cultures and disciplines, and closely follow technology and developments around the world. He stated that the steps Türkiye is taking in areas ranging from education and technology to the defence industry and digital transformation will be strengthened by the contributions of universities, academics, researchers, and young people, and highlighted the mission undertaken by the Turkish-German University in this process.

The event concluded with our esteemed Professor Dr. Cemal Yıldız expressing his gratitude to Akif Çağatay Kılıç and presenting him with a gift.