The 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony of our university was held with broad participation on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Ibn Haldun University Başakşehir Complex, Media and Events Center.
Attended extensively by our faculty members, students, administrative staff, and esteemed guests, the ceremony featured the Opening Lecture entitled “Enhancing the Research Capacity of Universities and TÜBİTAK” delivered by Prof. Orhan Aydın, President of TÜBİTAK.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. İrfan Gündüz, Chairman of our Board of Trustees, referenced the proverb “As a task begins, so shall it conclude,” advising students to proceed with determination, embark on their university journey with resolve so that it concludes successfully, take every step consciously and steadfastly, and remain focused on continuous self-improvement.
Emphasizing that in today’s world, where power-driven conflicts have intensified, “the greatest wealth is an educated human resource,” Prof. Gündüz highlighted that human capital is far more valuable and decisive than technology or natural resource endowments.
Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, drew attention to the significant achievements attained by Ibn Haldun University over the past decade, stating that immense progress has been made and that we are collectively striving to nurture the great plane tree of Ibn Haldun University. Affirming that these ambitious goals will be realized over time, Mr. Erdoğan concluded his address with wishes of success for all our students and faculty members in the new academic year.
Our Rector, Prof. Atilla Arkan, underscored the imperative of multidisciplinary collaboration to resolve the contemporary challenges confronting humanity and the escalating crises the world is facing. He noted that our university maintains vital global partnerships, notably with the University of Malaya and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Observing that the prevailing world order fails to meet the needs of humanity, Prof. Arkan remarked: “It is essential that we build functioning minds and functioning institutions”.
Touching upon the sound integration of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence into higher education, the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process, and the construction of a virtuous society, Prof. Arkan brought his remarks to a close with well-wishes for the academic year.
Gracing the ceremony with his presence, Zambry bin Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, addressed the vital importance of the social sciences, scholars, knowledge production, and advancing technology.
The visiting Minister emphasized that knowledge, research, and innovation are inextricably linked, each serving as the catalyst for the next, and stressed the global need for scholars who formulate new questions. He noted that alongside ongoing technical advancements, the role of the social sciences in keeping humanity and society at the centre of progress is invaluable. Commending our university and Türkiye for their institutional capacity and achievements, the Minister conveyed their eager readiness for deeper academic cooperation.
The 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Lecture, entitled “Enhancing the Research Capacity of Universities and TÜBİTAK” was delivered by Prof. Orhan Aydın, President of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK). Prof. Aydın delivered a keynote presentation titled “Our Country’s R&D and Innovation Ecosystem: The Role of TÜBİTAK”.
Prior to his presentation, Prof. Aydın commended the academic staff of our university, noting that he closely follows their scholarly publications. He emphasized that an effective communication paradigm and a solid institutional culture lie at the core of Ibn Haldun University’s achievements.
In his presentation, Prof. Aydın elaborated on national and international R&D metrics, Türkiye’s global standing, collaborative initiatives, and TÜBİTAK’s forward-looking strategic objectives.
At the conclusion of the Opening Lecture, our Rector, Prof. Atilla Arkan, presented a commemorative gift to Prof. Orhan Aydın.
Following the gift presentation, the 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony drew to a close with the Academic Procession.
