The Faculty of Agriculture, one of the established faculties of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), celebrated the graduation of 210 students who successfully completed their education.

The graduation ceremony, organized at the OMU Life Center, was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Muharrem Özcan; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Yıldıray Topçu; Samsun Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Sağlam; Chairman of the Samsun Branch of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, Havva Yurdunuseven Bayzat; Samsun Provincial Coordinator of the Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution, Yusuf Özbey; academicians, and the graduates' families.

The ceremony began with the graduates being invited to the area. This was followed by a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem in memory of the founder of the Republic, Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the martyrs.

"Be innovative and questioning, not monotonous or ordinary"

Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Muharrem Özcan, started his speech by wishing the graduates success in their new lives, "Welcome to the graduation ceremony of our Faculty of Agriculture, which has a history of 48 years. Dear young people, you joined the OMU Faculty of Agriculture family four years ago. Your university and faculty will always keep their doors open to you and will always be by your side after graduation. I want you to know this. We are ready to assist you even after graduation. My young colleagues, adhere to the ethical values of your profession. Always plan your career. Choose the right role models who have succeeded in your field. Be innovative and questioning, not monotonous or ordinary. Do not hesitate to speak the truth openly and respect others' views. Always be positive and constructive. These practices will be the key to your success and happiness."

"Our duty is to feed the 85 million population living in the Republic of Türkiye"

Samsun Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Sağlam, addressed the students with the following words: "I am happy to be with you on this beautiful day. On behalf of myself and my Ministry, I greet you. Dear colleagues, Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stated, 'Societies that want to live comfortably without working, getting tired, and producing are doomed to lose their dignity first, then their freedom, and finally their independence and future,' emphasizing that we have to work. Our duty is to feed the 85 million population in the Republic of Türkiye. While doing this, our job is challenging because the agricultural sector is the most affected by external factors. First of all, I would like to thank and express my gratitude to your professors and families who raised you."

"I wholeheartedly congratulate all our fresh graduates"

President of the Samsun Branch of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, Havva Yurdunuseven Bayzat, who attended the graduation ceremony, said, "Dear professors and dear young colleagues, as the Samsun Branch of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, we are happy to be among you at the graduation ceremony. You are graduating from the Faculty of Agriculture today as an agricultural engineer. First of all, I would like to thank the esteemed professors of our Faculty of Agriculture who have made great efforts in your education and training and wholeheartedly congratulate all our fresh graduates."

"We aim to do our best for our country and nation"

Faculty valedictorian Zootechnics Department student Gülse Sivil said, "What directed me to choose this department was the belief that food is one of the strategic products and that Agricultural Engineering, which is directly related to food production, is the profession of the future. The need for food increases in parallel with the growing world population. The importance of agricultural products, food, and nutrition has been better understood during the pandemic we have experienced. We, too, are aware of this importance and are determined to work harder with our farmers, who are the masters of our nation, to advance our agriculture as required by the saying 'The foundation of the national economy is agriculture.' Knowing that our profession is of great importance for the future of humanity, we aim to do our best for our country and nation. In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to our elders who have contributed to Turkish agriculture and agricultural education and offer my respects."

After the speeches, the gifts were presented to the faculty valedictorian, Zootechnics Department student Gülse Sivil, the second Agricultural Biotechnology Department graduate Nagihan Sağ, and the third Field Crops Department graduate Bengisu Acar by the protocol members.

The academicians presented Certificates and awards to the top graduates of the departments. After the other graduates received their certificates, they celebrated graduation by tossing their caps.