The opening ceremony for the Marmara University Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Complex 1st and  2nd Sections'  Educational Buildings was held on Friday, September 13, 2024, with the participation of the  President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, President of the Higher Education Council (CoHE) Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Communication Director Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Altun, Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, academicians and many other guests.

President Erdoğan expressed his pride in being a graduate of Marmara University

Starting his speech by greeting the guests, President Erdoğan said, "I take pride in being a student and graduate of Marmara University, one of Turkey's most prestigious and established higher education institutions. The education we received under this esteemed roof has guided us in every phase of our lives."

Expressing his pleasure in being part of the inauguration ceremony, President Erdoğan stated, "Today, I am filled with a special excitement. We are experiencing the joy of opening the Marmara University Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Complex, which I personally followed from the project stage to its construction. Marmara University holds a unique place in my life, and I have always taken pride in being a member of this institution. I graduated from what is now known as the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences 43 years ago, in 1981. Among the more than 60 honorary doctorate titles awarded to me throughout my political career, the most meaningful one was given to me by my university in 2013."

President Erdoğan emphasized his commitment to Marmara University

Erdoğan emphasized that he has attended the opening ceremonies of Marmara University’s academic year many times, and as Prime Minister and President, he has made an effort to repay his debt of gratitude by closely engaging with every issue of the university from which he graduated.

With today's opening ceremony, he stated, all efforts have been crowned, expressing, "I take pride in being a student and graduate of Marmara University, one of Turkey's oldest and most distinguished higher education institutions. The education we received under this esteemed roof has always guided us. The friendships and bonds formed here have always been unique. I hope to continue to take pride in being a Marmara student in the future."

There is no province in Turkey without a university

Erdoğan stated, "We are working day and night to make the century of Turkey a century of science, technology, and prosperity. Over the past 22 years, we have taken significant steps in this direction. In 2002, we had 76 universities, today, that number has risen to 208.   We now have universities in all 81 provinces. There is no province without a university. We promised, 'We will leave no city without a university,' and we kept that promise. We have extended higher education opportunities to every corner of our country. We have increased the number of professors, associate professors, and lecturers accordingly. We have built a strong, dynamic, and productive research, development, and entrepreneurship ecosystem not just in certain cities, but across all geographical regions. We will do much more in the coming period. With these feelings, I wish the Marmara University Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Complex to be beneficial to our country, our nation, and our university. I wish continued success to the administration, faculty, and students of our university."

President Erdoğan: "We will continue to stand by our university"

He highlighted that the complex will not only transform the region it is located in but also the entire landscape of Istanbul, thanking everyone involved in its construction, from laborers to engineers.

President Erdoğan noted that Marmara University ranks among the top 10 universities representing Turkey in international rankings and stated, "Throughout its 141-year history, our university has produced countless politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, scientists, professors, journalists, ministers, prime ministers, and presidents, and we will always stand by it."

Minister Murat Kurum said:  "We have built a model campus."

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum pointed out that the complex stands out for its earthquake resilience and sustainability features, stating that young people will be able to produce their cultural values in this educational environment. He also mentioned that the campus serves as an important example for urban transformation projects.

Minister Kurum remarked, "We are a state that has carried the flag of science to every corner of the world for centuries. With the light of science, we have brought humanity from darkness to light. With this awareness, we have endeavored to reflect our historical and scientific identity in every aspect of our complex, incorporating details of Seljuk, Ottoman, and Turkish architecture into our project."

He emphasized that with its spacious classrooms, high technology laboratories, workshops, and activity areas, the campus serves as a model for the world, designed to meet contemporary needs through its disaster-resistant buildings and construction materials while maximizing green spaces and implementing zero waste practices.

Minister Kurum noted that the complex exemplifies horizontal architecture with Seljuk and Ottoman influences, and added, "Our prayer is that a generation is raised here that knows itself and respects its ancestors. May our young minds in technology reach out to the world from here. With tens of thousands of students, may they leave a mark on the economic, social, and cultural life of our Istanbul. Let's produce our own concepts here at our university. Let’s build our own future here, and realize the Century of Turkey with our quality human resources and scientists who solve the problems of the nation, and schools that can compete globally. Under your esteemed leadership, we will continue to produce works for every young person who says 'Knowledge from cradle to grave.'"

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt stated, "It will be a unique project not only in our country but worldwide."

In his speech at the inauguration ceremony, Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt remarked, "When our complex, which consists of three phases, is completed, it will be a unique university project that meets and even exceeds the standard requirements for education and teaching, providing for the social needs of our students and the expectations of academic and administrative staff." He noted that the university, with a population of over 75,000, including associate, undergraduate, and graduate students, along with more than 300,000 alumni and educational units across 9 campuses, is experiencing a historic day. Prof. Dr. Kurt explained that in 2016, with the support and directives of President Erdoğan, the foundation was laid in November 2019 for the complex, which aims to unite the dispersed campuses.

As of the 2024-2025 academic year, he expressed that the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Complex would have a population of 35,000, including students, academics, and administrative staff, stating, "Thus, we are creating a single complex that provides an ideal educational, teaching, and research environment with technical and aesthetic integrity, from the main entrance gate to the classroom board. All these processes have been conducted in line with your repeated emphasis that 'Every penny we spend on education is the greatest investment in the future of our country.' Under your leadership, governments have made significant decisions and implementations that highlight the great importance of education at every level, from kindergarten to doctoral studies."

Prof. Dr. Kurt highlighted that the foundation of Marmara University was laid during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, with the founding of the trade school, which has a history of approximately 1.5 centuries. He noted that the school has been referred to as Hamidiye Trade School since its inception due to the name of its founder, Abdülhamid Han. He also mentioned that restoration and strengthening works are ongoing at Sultanahmet Complex, which carries the historical heritage of Marmara University's founding story. He concluded by stating that the international educational, teaching, and project activities to be conducted in this historical building will make significant contributions to our country's scientific diplomacy.

Following the speeches at the inauguration ceremony, Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt presented a gift to President Erdoğan. After a prayer by Istanbul Provincial Mufti Safi Arpaguş, the ribbon was cut to open the 1st and 2nd Sections'  Educational Buildings of Marmara University Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Complex. The program concluded with a family photo session, after which President Erdoğan and his accompanying delegation inspected the completed buildings.

Source: Anadolu Agency