The Alumni Day Gathering of Eskişehir Technical University Faculty of Engineering was held with the participation of the 50th-year graduates.
The 21st annual Alumni Gathering, a tradition of the Faculty of Engineering at Eskişehir Technical University (ESTÜ), was held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in the faculty garden, with alumni celebrating their 50th graduation anniversary in attendance.
At the event, many engineers who have graduated from the faculty since 1975 gathered to commemorate past years and connect with new graduates.
Rector Prof. Dr. Adnan ÖZCAN, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Onur KAYA, Vice Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Dr. Hanife APAYDIN ÖZKAN, Dean of the Faculty of Science Prof. Dr. İlhami Çelik, Dean of the Faculty of Computer and Informatics Prof. Dr. Sevil Şentürk, as well as vice deans, academic staff, and many graduates attended the event.
“The greatest wealth of a university is the graduates it produces."
In her opening speech at the event, Vice Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Dr. Hanife APAYDIN ÖZKAN said:
"I am delighted to be with you today at the traditional Faculty of Engineering Alumni Day, which renews our friendships and bonds, even though years have passed since our graduation. A university's greatest wealth is the graduates it produces. You did not just gain professional knowledge here; you also acquired values that will guide you throughout your life. It is a great honor for us to see our graduates, who have written success stories in different cities and sectors, here today. Each of your stories adds new meaning to our university. I wholeheartedly congratulate our 50th-year alumni, who are especially among us, and thank them for sharing with us the deep-rooted memories and pride of our university."
50th-year graduate Atilla CENGİZ moved the audience.
Speaking at the gathering, 1975 graduate Atilla CENGİZ reflected on his educational journey, which began 50 years ago at the Eskişehir State Engineering and Architecture Academy. He expressed his excitement and happiness at returning to the faculty after half a century.
In his speech, Cengiz recalled the transformation the faculty has undergone since its establishment, saying, "We are proud to have been among the first students of the Eskişehir State Engineering and Architecture Academy in the 1970s. In those years, we grew up with limited resources but great idealism. Our faculty has continued its development under different institutional structures from that day to this; today, it has become one of the important centers of contemporary engineering education under the umbrella of Eskişehir Technical University.
This faculty is not just a place of education; it is also a place where lifelong friendships are formed. The knowledge, discipline, and culture of solidarity we gained here prepared us for life.
"ESTÜ Graduates are the Strongest Representatives of Our University"
Rector Prof. Dr. Adnan ÖZCAN emphasized that ESTÜ has made significant progress in recent years in education quality, research capacity, and internationalization. According to the university's 2025 YKS results, the occupancy rate in all undergraduate and associate degree programs reached 100%. Rector Prof. Dr. ÖZCAN stated that they have adopted an employment-focused education approach that meets the needs of the era, along with newly established programs. In his speech, Rector Prof. Dr. ÖZCAN said, "This year, with the addition of 571 new engineers graduating from our faculty, 3,724 engineering students are continuing their education at our university. Our total student population has reached 15,000, and our staff has grown to 1,618. Our university's 18 accredited undergraduate programs and 2 accredited associate degree programs are entitled to use the Türkiye Qualifications Framework Logo. This achievement represents a significant success on a national scale.”
Rector Prof. Dr. ÖZCAN also reminded the graduates that ESTÜ ranked 22nd in the TÜBİTAK Entrepreneurial and Innovative University Index and 10th among universities without a Faculty of Medicine in the URAP 2024–2025 Turkey ranking, stating, "You, our esteemed graduates, are the strongest representatives of ESTÜ in your current positions. I would like to thank each and every one of you for enhancing the recognition and prestige of our university."
Honorary Plaque for 50th Year Graduates
After his speech, Rector Prof. Dr. ÖZCAN remained on stage and presented certificates to representatives of the sponsoring institutions that contributed to the event.
Next, the 1975 graduates – the first graduates of the faculty – were invited to the stage. These individuals, who graduated half a century ago under the umbrella of the Eskişehir State Engineering and Architecture Academy, received 50th-anniversary honorary plaques from Rector Prof. Dr. Adnan ÖZCAN.
During these meaningful moments, the Faculty of Engineering's development from its inception to the present and its 50 years of experience were commemorated with applause.
Medal Presentation to Graduates from the 1985 and 1995 Periods
Following Rector Özcan, Vice Rector and Dean Prof. Dr. Hanife APAYDIN ÖZKAN took the stage and presented medals and gifts to the 1985 and 1995 graduates, who were celebrating their 40th and 30th graduation anniversaries, respectively.
Prof. Dr. ÖZKAN congratulated all graduates, saying, "As the Faculty of Engineering, we will always maintain a strong connection with our graduates, who are part of this large family," she said.
20th and 10th Year Graduates Honored
The event continued with Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Onur KAYA presenting medals and gifts to alumni celebrating their 20th anniversary.
For the 10th-year graduates, medals and gifts were presented by the heads of the faculty's eight departments and faculty members.
21st Year Commemoration
At the end of the program, a cake was cut in honor of the 21st anniversary, and participants took a group photo together.
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