Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the ceremony which took place at the Bayburt University New Campus Conference Hall, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his excitement in donning the honorary doctorate cowl in Bayburt.

Stating that Bayburt always felt like home, the TOBB President said, “As a last indicator to show that we are from here, we’ve been granted an honorary doctorate. You’ve awarded me with this. This is a great honor for me, my family and my children. I hope to be able to continue to be a beneficent son to Bayburt, its people and our forefather Korkut. Thank you very much.

Hisarcıklıoğlu explained that being granted an honorary doctorate from Bayburt University has a three-fold meaning for him, “Firstly, the significance of receiving this degree from Bayburt which is known for courage, honesty and honor. This is a great honor for me.

Secondly, it is very important to be receiving from such a young university as Bayburt University. Despite its youth, it’s a university which has drawn much attention to it. Last year, a resident academic in the field of philosophy was elected Idea Person of the Year. A mathematician was elected the most successful scientist in the field of Applied Mathematics. These are the success stories of the school. A university fast advancing with the vision of the governor and the rector.” Pointing out the recognition, adoption and promotion of Dede Korkut’s cultural significance and importance and a geographical signifier for Bayburt, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Thirdly, it is an honor to have been granted an honorary doctorate for our work in regards to Dede Korkut.”

- “A great honor”

“We know neither our own values nor those that we possess,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on, “Our greatest deficiency is in the low adoption rates of our very own historical and cultural values. Our own masterworks, our own history and ethics. Do you know where these books are? One resides in the Vatican library, the other in Dresden. We are required to ask permission of the Vatican or the German government to study our own history. We did, worked for 18 months, acquired permission to produce exact copies and print them. This has been a great honor for me. I would like to present my most heartfelt gratitude to you for honoring me with an honorary doctorate.”

Stating that the Book of Dede Korkut is actually the book of Turkish history, the TOBB President pointed out the importance of the point of view it provides on how all aspects of life were viewed throughout history by Turkic peoples.

Stating that, “The Book of Dede Korkut provides answers for all, statesmen, businesspeople, administrators and the youth. Everything I could want to know in regards to enterprise is in here. A historical text holds all the information you could want in regards to enterprise,” Hisarcıklıoğlu went on to share his anecdotes and experiences and urged the university youth to venture into the field of entrepreneurism, working with courage to this end; he wished them all success in their endeavors.”

- Bayburt University Rector Prof. Dr. Selçuk Coşkun

Bayburt University Rector Prof. Dr. Selçuk Coşkun stated that Bayburt University is a perpetually advancing and improving institute and went on to provide information in regards to the university rise to prominence and its various endeavors, projects and accomplishments as well as its contributions to the daily life of Bayburt.

Stating that President Hisarcıklıoğlu, akin to a true Akhi, has worked to preserve their cultural heritage with TOBB’s social responsibility projects, reproducing works of cultural and historical significance for our society, Rector Coşkun went on to state that TOBB is the contemporary incarnation of the Akhi organization. He stated that, to this end, they’ve granted Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu with an Honorary Doctorate in the field of Administration and Organization.

Also attending the ceremony were BayburtGovernor Yusuf Odabaş, Bayburt PM Bünyamin Özbek, Mayor Mete Memiş, Bayburt University Rector Prof. Dr. Selçuk Coşkun, SOCAR Turkey Chairman Kenan Yavuz, Bayburt Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman İbrahim Yumak, NGO representatives,  Kyrgyz academicians, Bayburt University academicians and students.