Night of Pride for 144 Graduates

144 students, who successfully completed their master’s and doctoral degrees at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), received their diplomas in a joyful graduation ceremony. Gaining expertise in the fields where they aim to pursue their careers, the students wore their gowns, tossed their caps in the air, and thoroughly enjoyed their happiness. Speaking at the ceremony, IUE Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Efe Biresselioğlu offered three golden pieces of advice for the graduates to keep in mind throughout their lives, saying, “Do not lose your curiosity, do not repeat yourself, and leave the work you do in a better place than when you took it over. Remember that true success is measured not only by how high you rise, but by how much value you create while rising.”

Attending the ceremony held at the Izmir University of Economics campus with their families or friends, the graduates created colorful moments. Capturing many photos with their professors throughout the evening, they experienced the joy of reaching a moment they had dreamed of for a long time. A special film prepared for IUE’s 25th anniversary, showcasing the University’s development and vision for the future, was also met with great acclaim by the audience.

“LEARNING WILL CONTINUE FOR A LIFETIME”

Delivering important messages to the graduates, IUE Vice Rector and Founding Director of the Graduate School Prof. Dr. Mehmet Efe Biresselioğlu said: “The diplomas you receive today will bear the names of different programs. But there is a common name on all of them: Izmir University of Economics. This name is no longer just a line on your CV. You are now alumni of our University. From now on, the work you do will also be part of our University’s story. I ask one thing of you in particular: do not become ordinary. Do not settle for just doing what you are told. Think twice where people say, ‘That’s just how it has always been.’ Do not hesitate to ask the right question. Do not be afraid to say you don't know, and never forget that what you know today may one day fall short. The knowledge you have today brought you here. But what carries you forward from now on will be your capacity to keep learning.”

“OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO YOU”

Drawing attention to the fact that we are living in an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping professions, technology is transforming lifestyles, and climate change is altering economies and societies, Prof. Dr. Biresselioğlu stated: “In such a world, no one can build their future solely on what they know today. For this reason, I will not give you a long list of advice. I would only like you to carry three principles with you: do not lose your curiosity, do not repeat yourself, and leave the work you do in a better place than when you took it over. If you do these, it won't matter much which sector you are in, which country you live in, or what title is written on your business card. Today, you are not just receiving a diploma and leaving the university. Today, you are joining the Izmir University of Economics alumni family. Our doors and our hearts are always open to you. We are glad to have you as our graduates.”

“YOU ARE LEAVING WITH A STRONG EXPERIENCE”

Emphasizing that the role of graduate education is not merely to impart more information, Prof. Dr. Muhittin Hakan Demir, Director of the IUE Graduate School, said, “Graduate education teaches us to see the limits of what we know. You leave here not just with more knowledge, but with a strong experience in how to approach knowledge. The value of this is higher today than ever before. We live in an era where accessing information has become extremely easy, where hundreds of answers can appear before us in just a few seconds. In such a world, the duty of universities, and graduate education in particular, cannot be merely to transfer more information. What truly matters is being able to distinguish the reliable from the unreliable, evaluate evidence, and question our own thinking when necessary. Your paths from here on may be very different. However, whichever path you choose, remember that the expertise you hold carries responsibility with it. Take the critical thinking skills, the habit of evaluating different perspectives, and the mindset of using your knowledge responsibly into the next chapter of your lives.”