Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, before addressing the participants, along with Izmir Commerce University Board of Trustees and Izmir Chamber of Commerce President Mahmut Özgener and Rector Prof.Dr. Murat Aşkar, laid a wreath at the Atatürk Bust. Hisarcıklıoğlu later in his speech, expressed his well wishes for success in the new academic year. Stating that İzmir University of Economics together with İstanbul Commerce University were the first universities of the community, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “At that time, the management of İzmir Chamber of Commerce and its President Ekrem were undertaking a visionary endeavor. We had made serious contributions. I graduated from this school. In 2009, you gave me an honorary doctorate. I proudly carry this honorary doctor title. Our university has grown. It has entered the top 10 in Biomedical and interior design fields in Turkey.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked the Board of Trustees of Izmir Commerce University and the Izmir Chamber of Commerce President Mahmut Özgener for his work and visionary approach.

Emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I have to say that there is nothing more joyous than providing people with livelihoods. Our culture says that the best of people are those beneficent unto others. So we need new entrepreneurs. We need to get more entrepreneurs. I've traveled throughout Turkey step by step. We established the Turkey's biggest Women Entrepreneurs Council. We established the Young Entrepreneurs Council. We established TOBB ETU. Modesty aside, if entrepreneurship comes up in conversation in Turkey today; if it is fashionable, I have a big share in this success.”

- Everything starts with dreams.

Emphasizing that all endeavors begin with dreams, Hisarcıklıoğlu advised the students not to limit their dream. The TOBB President said, “Never be afraid to lose.”

Emphasizing that the country is hopeful for the future, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “There is no need for pessimism. As long as we do not marginalize each other.”

- Other speakers

In his speech, Izmir Commerce University Board of Trustees and Izmir Chamber of Commerce President Mahmut Özgener said that the communication of the new generation with the older generations is of great importance in order to capture the spirit of time. Özgener expressed that they wish Izmir Commerce University to walk with a vision that is not only teaching but also learning and growing, and explained that the University will be the center of entrepreneurial vision.

Mahmut Özgener stated that their goal is for the university to be an institution which has a voice not only in Izmir, all over the region and abroad.”

Rector of Izmir Commerce University Dr. Murat Aşkar, while drawing attention to the increase in the number of students, said that the base scores have also increased. Aşkar touched on the advantages and job opportunities in scholarship and other subjects, stating that students have attained significant achievements not only in Turkey but also abroad.