Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) marked its half-century journey in science, culture, and education with a special event titled the “50th Anniversary and Academic Awards Ceremony.”

Established on April 1, 1975, OMU is one of Türkiye’s most respected higher education institutions. The commemorative ceremony, held as part of the university’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, brought together distinguished guests from the academic, political, public, and higher education sectors.

YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar Attended as Guest of Honor

The ceremony, which took place at OMU’s Atatürk Culture Center (AKM), began with a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem. A special video titled “OMU 50th Anniversary Promotional Film” was screened, taking the audience on a journey through the university’s five-decade history. Following the film, artists from the OMU State Conservatory and Faculty of Agriculture performed a captivating Turkish folk music recital. OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın delivered opening remarks, and the keynote speech was given by the President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar.

2024 OMU Academic Awards Presented

The 2024 OMU Academic Awards were presented to faculty members who demonstrated excellence in various academic, scientific, and administrative fields as part of the program. These awards, dedicated to honoring achievement, hold great significance as a symbol of the university’s research capacity and vision.

YÖK President Özvar: “It is a privilege to be in a city like Samsun, which changed the course of our history”

Expressing his pleasure at celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of Türkiye’s most established universities, YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar began his address by stating, “It is a privilege to be in a city like Samsun, which has played a pivotal role in the course of our nation’s history. The Turkish higher education system has become more competitive globally in recent years through institutional transformation, investment in qualified human capital, and ambitions for greater international visibility. Raising the global standing of Turkish universities and transforming them into globally recognized academic brands is among the top priorities of the Council of Higher Education. Achieving these goals requires ensuring quality assurance in education, allocating more funds to scientific and technological research, increasing the employability of our graduates both nationally and internationally, and boosting the output and impact of our academic publications. We will continue to take bold and determined steps in close coordination with our government across administrative, institutional, and financial domains to realize these objectives.”

“Turkish Higher Education Has Gained Serious Momentum in Terms of International Student Mobility and Academic Engagement”

Highlighting the role of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s regional and global vision in shaping the direction of the Turkish higher education system, YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated, “With the will and support of our President, Turkish universities have developed a distinct competitive edge by establishing strategic partnerships in Asia, Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East. Establishing academic units and joint university projects, especially across the Turkic world, the Balkans, and Africa, has brought significant momentum to Turkish higher education regarding international student mobility and academic collaboration. In this regard, Türkiye embraces an internationalization model that does not imitate Francophone or Anglo-Saxon systems, but rather draws inspiration from Anatolian heritage, emphasizing a multi-centered and culturally rooted approach. This strategy yields important benefits not only in terms of student numbers but also in academic diplomacy, language, and cultural exchange.”

“Ondokuz Mayıs University Has Become a Guardian of Historical Legacy Beyond Its Role as an Educational Institution”

Continuing his address, Prof. Dr. Özvar emphasized the university’s symbolic importance, stating:

“Samsun is one of the foremost symbols of our nation's rebirth and determination for independence, as it is the city where Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk launched the Turkish War of Independence on May 19, 1919. This historic meaning has also given its name to our university. In this sense, Ondokuz Mayıs University stands as a bearer of a significant historical legacy beyond merely being an educational institution. As one of the most important port cities on the Black Sea, Samsun holds great prominence not only historically, but also in cultural, economic, and social terms. With its wide contribution to Türkiye’s development—from agriculture to industry, from transportation to tourism—the presence of a strong university such as Ondokuz Mayıs University is a tremendous asset for both our city and our region.”

“OMU’s Full Potential Must Be Maximized to Deliver Substantial Value to Our Country, Region, and City”

Recalling that Ondokuz Mayıs University was founded on April 1, 1975, and began its academic journey with just 50 students, Prof. Dr. Özvar continued:

“However modest this beginning may have been, it marked the opening lines of a remarkable story. Originally founded in 1973 as a medical school affiliated with Hacettepe University, the Samsun Faculty of Medicine was transferred to the newly established Ondokuz Mayıs University in 1975. Subsequently, the Faculties of Science and Engineering and Agriculture were established. In 1982, under Decree Law No. 41, many other higher education institutions were incorporated into Ondokuz Mayıs University. Over time, this expansive university has served as the seedbed for many new universities. Amasya, Ordu, Sinop, and finally Samsun Universities were all founded using academic units separated from OMU, making the university not just a higher education institution but a ‘hub of higher education’ with a historical mission.

Today, with over 52,000 students, approximately 2,300 academic staff, and 4,200 administrative personnel across many academic units, Ondokuz Mayıs University possesses an extraordinary capacity in every respect. Utilizing this great capacity most effectively is critical for contributing meaningful added value to our country, region, and city. I sincerely believe that our university has the capacity, ability, and experience to achieve this.”

“Ondokuz Mayıs University is Among the Six Institutions Included in the Research Universities Candidate Monitoring Program”

President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated:
“As the Council of Higher Education, we continuously encourage and support our universities not only to develop in areas such as research, projects, scientific studies, high-quality academic publications, sustainability, and social responsibility, but also to specialize and differentiate by highlighting their strengths. In this context, we actively implement numerous programs and initiatives such as the ‘Regional Development-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization Program,’ ‘Research Universities Program,’ ‘Research Universities Candidate Monitoring Program,’ ‘Specialization in Priority Areas of Science Program,’ ‘Sustainable and Climate-Friendly Campus Project,’ and the ‘Sports-Friendly Campus Project.’ Ondokuz Mayıs University is among the six universities included in the Research Universities Candidate Monitoring Program. Within this framework, OMU is closely monitored across multiple performance criteria, from academic productivity to international publication performance, teaching quality, and project generation capacity, and continues to make consistent progress.”

“I Was Very Pleased to Observe That Our University Ranked High in Many Evaluations”

Emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in university activities, Prof. Dr. Özvar noted that since 2019, the Council has publicly released an annual “University Monitoring and Evaluation General Report.”

“In our most recent visit, I had the opportunity to reexamine the performance data specific to Ondokuz Mayıs University in detail. I am pleased that OMU ranked in the top tier across numerous evaluation categories. These include projects supported by international organizations, TÜBİTAK-funded projects, national-level industry collaborations, and international R&D projects conducted jointly with foreign universities or institutions. OMU’s strong performance across all these dimensions is a highly commendable achievement.”

“According to the 2024 University Monitoring and Evaluation Report, I Also Congratulate OMU for Having the Highest Student Participation in Competitions Organized by Institutions Such as TEKNOFEST, TÜBİTAK, and TÜBA”

Prof. Dr. Özvar continued:

“In recent years, we have placed particular emphasis on sustainable, climate- and environmentally-friendly campuses. In this regard, Ondokuz Mayıs University has demonstrated a strong and successful profile. In areas such as the climate action index, poverty reduction index, zero waste initiatives, green campus practices, and environmental awards received, OMU again ranks among the leading universities. Additionally, OMU has shown strong performance in areas such as the number of social responsibility projects conducted by the institution, the number of student clubs, activities organized for disadvantaged groups, successfully granted patents, employed researchers, and international student enrollment. On this occasion, I would like to offer special congratulations to Ondokuz Mayıs University for achieving the highest student participation in competitions organized by institutions such as TEKNOFEST, TÜBİTAK, and TÜBA, according to the 2024 University Monitoring and Evaluation General Report.”

“It Is of Utmost Importance for Ondokuz Mayıs University to Identify Areas for Improvement and Address Them with Care”

Highlighting the gratifying success achieved across nearly 20 evaluation categories, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated,
“I sincerely congratulate the university administration, academic staff, and our dear students who contributed to this success. While these results are indeed pleasing, there is still a long way to go. It is of utmost importance that Ondokuz Mayıs University identifies areas open to improvement and works on them diligently. Doing so will allow for even better results in the future.”

“As outlined in Türkiye’s 12th Five-Year Development Plan and the Council of Higher Education’s Strategic Documents, our aim is for at least two universities to rank among the world’s top 200, 10 universities in the top 500, and 50 universities in the top 1000 by 2028. I believe the current ranking of Ondokuz Mayıs University (1500+) does not truly reflect its full potential. We expect to see much better performance from OMU in this regard.”

“The Primary Goal of the Sports-Friendly Campus Project Is to Promote Sports, Physical Activity, and Healthy Living on Campuses”

“I visited Ondokuz Mayıs University exactly one year ago and announced the launch of our much-valued Sports-Friendly Campus Project. The primary aim of this initiative is to foster a culture of sports, physical activity, and healthy living within university campuses. Over the past year, we have worked intensively on this project. Our universities have shown significant interest. Following comprehensive evaluations, we have identified the institutions that earned the Sports-Friendly Campus title. We will publicly announce these results on May 14 in Rize. I hope this project will yield beneficial outcomes for both our country and our universities.”

“We Have Full Confidence That Our University Will Continue to Achieve Even Greater Success in the Future”

President Özvar concluded his speech with the following words:

“As I end my remarks here in Samsun—the city where the first step of the Turkish War of Independence was taken—I would like to celebrate May 19, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. I respectfully commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, as well as all our martyrs and veterans who took part in the War of Independence and have since passed away. On this occasion, I extend my gratitude to all academics, administrative staff, alumni, and contributors who have served Ondokuz Mayıs University since its establishment. I also respectfully remember those who are no longer with us.”

“As the Council of Higher Education, we will continue to offer every support to help our university further its development, just as we have in the past. We have full confidence that Ondokuz Mayıs University will continue to advance its achievements in the years to come. I wish our esteemed academics, administrative personnel, and students continued success. I extend my sincere thanks to our distinguished Rector, Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, for her hospitality and once again congratulate Ondokuz Mayıs University on its 50th anniversary. I greet you all with respect and affection.”

Rector Aydın: “As We Reflect on Our Half-Century Journey in Education, Science, and Culture, I Am Excited to Share Our Hopes and Goals for the Future”

OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın began her remarks by stating:

“We have gathered today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ondokuz Mayıs University. On this meaningful day, we are not only reflecting on our half-century journey in education, science, and culture, but we are also thrilled to share our aspirations and goals for the future.”

“Our university was officially founded on April 1, 1975, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Ondokuz Mayıs University Establishment Association. The Samsun Faculty of Medicine, which began its academic journey in 1973 under the umbrella of Hacettepe University, was integrated into the newly established Ondokuz Mayıs University as part of our foundational structure.”

“With 50 medical students, the seeds of education and learning were planted in Samsun—the city of national liberation. In the words of the renowned Turkish poet Necip Fazıl Kısakürek:

‘Scatter seeds, if they don’t sprout, let the soil be ashamed!
Oh gallant steed, just keep running!
Let the spear be ashamed if it doesn’t reach its target!
And if you collapse, let the mare that bore you be ashamed!’
Indeed, those seeds have blossomed and borne fruit over the years.”

“Ondokuz Mayıs University Has Become One of the Country’s Leading Institutions in Education and Research with Its Vision as a Research and Internationalized University”

Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın continued her speech by reflecting on the university’s growth trajectory:

“Our institutional development gained further momentum with the establishment of the Faculty of Science and Engineering in 1975 and the Faculty of Agriculture in 1976. By 1982, the faculties of education and theology, which had previously operated under the Ministry of National Education, had been incorporated into our university. With each passing year, Ondokuz Mayıs University expanded and evolved, ultimately playing a key role in the foundation of three new universities—Amasya, Ordu, and Sinop—by transferring some of its units in 2006 and 2007. The final link in this chain was the establishment of Samsun University in 2018.”

“Today, Ondokuz Mayıs University stands as one of Türkiye’s most powerful institutions in education, research, and academic excellence. Guided by our goal of becoming a research university and our mission of internationalization, our journey of knowledge and enlightenment that began 50 years ago continues with the same determination and passion that marked its inception.”

“Graduating Nearly 10,000 Students Annually, We Make a Significant Contribution to Türkiye’s Workforce”

Rector Aydın provided a snapshot of OMU’s current capacity and achievements:

“Our university currently comprises 20 faculties, 1 school, 14 vocational schools, 3 graduate institutes, 1 conservatory, and 28 application and research centers. We remain committed to adapting to the spirit of the times through innovative approaches.”

“With over 6,000 academic and administrative staff and a student body of nearly 50,000, Ondokuz Mayıs University possesses tremendous potential. We are taking bold steps toward becoming a globally engaged university by hosting over 5,000 international students from 108 countries and maintaining over 400 Erasmus and other exchange agreements.”

“Focused on student achievement, we offer 27 associate, 98 undergraduate, and 393 graduate programs. With an enrollment rate exceeding 90%, our rising admission scores reflect an upward trend in the quality of education we provide. Each year, we graduate close to 10,000 students, making a substantial contribution to Türkiye’s skilled labor force.”

“Our Health Application and Research Centers Play a Key Role in Meeting Regional Healthcare Needs”

Highlighting the university’s service to the city and region, Rector Aydın added:

“Samsun, the city where the first torch of the War of Independence was lit, has recently emerged as a pioneer in production and development through large-scale investments. Aware of its responsibilities in this dynamic setting, our university strives to support the city’s progress through leadership and contributions.”

“Our health application and research centers play a crucial role in meeting the region's healthcare needs. Our Faculty of Medicine hospitals treat nearly one million patients annually, while our Faculty of Dentistry Hospital serves 300,000 patients yearly.”

“Our Organ Transplantation Center is the only facility in the Black Sea region capable of performing live-donor kidney and liver transplants. To date, we have completed 573 kidney transplants—half of which were from cadaveric donors—and 81 liver transplants.”

“Our Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s Animal Hospital treats more than 30,000 patients annually, offering care not only to domestic pets, but also to livestock, horses, wild animals, and stray animals.”

“In the Past Five Years, Nearly 1,000 Companies Have Received Consultancy Services and Over 200 University-Industry Projects Have Been Supported. Additionally, 50 Patents Have Been Registered”

Highlighting the close cooperation with industrial enterprises in Samsun, OMÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın stated:

“Samsun Teknopark operates in collaboration with our university and the industrial sector, across two campuses—Merkez and Ballıca—hosting 132 companies. To date, 350 projects have been completed under its roof, and 150 are currently ongoing. The OMU Technology Transfer Office plays a vital role in transforming the knowledge produced within the university into economic value through industry partnerships. In the last five years, we have provided consultancy services to approximately 1,000 companies and supported more than 200 university-industry projects. Furthermore, 50 patents have been officially registered.”

“Ondokuz Mayıs University is Also Home to Türkiye’s First and Only Wildlife Institute”

Rector Aydın continued:

“Our university houses Türkiye’s first-ever Hemp Research Institute, which possesses a rich genotypic pool for industrial and medical use. Research and development efforts are ongoing to produce industrial materials, oil, food, medical, and cosmetic products from hemp.”

“Ondokuz Mayıs University is also proud to be home to Türkiye’s first and only Wildlife Institute, inaugurated by the President of the Council of Higher Education. This institute, particularly focused on the Kızılırmak Delta, carries out studies to preserve ecosystems and ensure sustainability across the country.”

“The Future of Universities Will Be Shaped by Their Dynamism, Adaptability, and Commitment to Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development”

Rector Aydın emphasized that the world is entering a dynamic era shaped by developments such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and machine learning:

“In this era, universities are expected to play a strategic role in guiding societal change. The future of higher education institutions will depend on their ability to remain dynamic, adaptive, and proactive, and on the importance they place on social responsibility and sustainable development.”

“The digital age has initiated a profound transformation in education. The traditional model, based solely on information transfer, is now outdated. In its place, a new approach is emerging—one that equips students with in-depth expertise, helps them adapt to advancing technologies, offers personalized education, and promotes lifelong learning. Face-to-face education is being replaced by hybrid models supported by digital tools and online content. This shift imposes a responsibility on universities to train digitally literate individuals who can thrive in global competition and embrace continuous professional development. In line with this vision, we are firmly committed to adapting our educational philosophy to meet the demands of the digital era.”

“We Are Continuously Strengthening Our International Scientific Collaborations and Taking Concrete Steps to Integrate Our Research Capacity into Global Knowledge Production Processes”

Prof. Dr. Aydın underscored the university’s deep commitment to sustainability:

“Ondokuz Mayıs University embraces sustainability as a fundamental principle across all its functions—from education and research to governance and societal engagement. We strive to embed sustainability awareness into every facet of our educational mission and are actively implementing green campus initiatives in line with environmental transformation goals. Our efforts include enhancing energy efficiency, promoting recycling, and reducing our carbon footprint.”

“Globalization has significantly increased the international visibility of universities, accelerating not only student and faculty exchange programs but also the growth of academic and research collaborations. At Ondokuz Mayıs University, we are determined to keep pace with this global transformation by continuously strengthening our international scientific partnerships and taking decisive steps to integrate our research capacity into global knowledge production processes.”

“Our University Has the Honor and Responsibility of Being One of the Six Candidate Research Universities Announced by the Council of Higher Education”

Continuing her address, Rector Aydın stated:

“Our university is proud to be among the six candidate research universities recently announced by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). Our goal is to continue investing in scientific research and elevate academic excellence standards in line with this vision. Of course, transforming knowledge into value is not limited to technological or economic terms alone. Integrating knowledge with ethics, morality, social responsibility, and societal sensitivity is the most vital stage in the journey from knowledge to wisdom. At Ondokuz Mayıs University, we adopt an approach prioritizing societal benefit through academic knowledge production. We view the integration of knowledge with wisdom and insight as a core institutional responsibility.”

“We are fully aware of the values entrusted to us by our half-century legacy. With the approval of our President, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, I have been honored with this distinguished duty, which I undertake with deep awareness of the responsibility it entails. We are determined to ensure the sustainability of every visionary step taken thus far and to elevate our institutional heritage to higher levels of impact nationally and globally—in education, research, and community engagement.”

“We Hope Our 50th Anniversary Brings Health, Peace, and Success to the OMU Family and Our Country”

Concluding her remarks, Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın added:

“I express my gratitude to the founding pioneers of the association that later evolved into the OMU Foundation, especially to our founding rector, Prof. Dr. Tahsin Tuncalı, and to all past administrators, academic and administrative staff, students, and members of the OMU community who contributed to our progress. I respectfully commemorate those who have passed away. I also thank our local authorities, especially our Governor and Mayor, for their ongoing support. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, for honoring us with his presence at our 50th anniversary celebration. In the words of Yunus Emre, one of the architects of the Turkish language, ‘We are born anew every moment; who can tire of us?’ I conclude by wishing health, peace, and success to the entire OMU family and our nation on this milestone occasion, and I greet you all with love and respect.”

Distinguished Guests and a Commemorative Ceremony

The event at the Atatürk Congress and Culture Center was attended by AK Party Samsun MP Ersan Aksu, CHP Samsun MP Murat Çan, Garrison Commander Major General Davut Ala, Samsun Metropolitan Mayor Halit Doğan, Samsun University Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Aydın, Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç, Samsun Provincial Police Chief Ahmet Arıbaş, Atakum District Governor Kemal Yıldız, academics, and students.

The ceremony concluded with a group photo session featuring members of the academic staff and protocol guests.

Student Gathering and International Culture on Stage

Following the ceremony at AKM, the “50th Anniversary Student Gathering and International Student Event” was held at the OMU Life Center. The event showcased cultural performances by international students from 103 countries. The program opened with a spectacular performance by a traditional Ottoman military band (Mehteran), and continued as students shared their national dances, traditional attire, and cultural heritage with the audience.

OMU Science Communication Office Officially Opened

Later in the day, YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar and Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, accompanied by Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı, officially inaugurated the OMU Science Communication Office. Reflecting the university’s renewed vision in public outreach and engagement, the new office was launched with the mission of effectively sharing scientific knowledge with the public, increasing the visibility of research outputs, and ensuring academic work translates into societal benefit.

Celebrations to Continue Throughout the Year

As part of its “50 Events for the 50th Anniversary” initiative, OMU will continue to mark its golden jubilee with a series of academic events, concerts, artistic performances, sports competitions, and spring festivals throughout the year.

Note: A list of 50th Anniversary Academic Awards recipients is available in the attached file.