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It is not a coincidence that our university is within the most respected universities in our country and the world. In the 45 years, passed since its founding, all its administrators, staff and alumni have spent conscious efforts and achieved the sustainability of this position with the "METU corporate culture" created throughout these years.
I think that "sistEM", which enables me to interact with you electronically, is a new step in this scope. In the last years after their university entrance exam points IE has been always one of the top three departments. I believe that this action of you will serve as a model for other departments.
Today our university has reached 19.000 students, more than 2.000 faculty, 4.000 staff and alumni more than 60.000. This position is very important. Many graduates are serving at key positions in most influential enterprises in Turkish economy. Sharing their experiences with new generations, alumni will play an important role in their progress. In this context we promote alumni's part-time teaching, involvement in student projects, co-advisorship in master-thesis and expect that such applications will expand.
Our university has launched the first active Technopolis "ODTU-TEKNOKENT" as a new step in the development of industry-university relationships. The "Technopolis Promotion Law" enacted in July 2001 brings incentives to R&D organizations which be located in Technopolis. Currently there are 33 R&D enterprises acting in METU-TECHNOPOLIS. Owners or CEO's of 26 of them are our graduates. Please try that the corporations you are working in, open R&D units on our campus. Technopolis supplies very modern and convenient space, infrastructure, opportunities, a beautiful landscape and a green and clean environment to firms. The importance of innovation and technological progress can not be ignored in the development of a country. Hence the enterprises working now in our TECHNOPOLIS will be proud tomorrow, and I hope to share this pride with you too.
Dear alumni, parallel to worsening of economic situations in the country, more and more students face similar economic problems. The students entering IE, who are in the top 0.1 % of university entrance exam winners, have financial troubles as well. Our university is aiming to support such students and spends great effort. The greatest support comes from our graduates. We are grateful to them for their devotion. I hope you will contribute to this campaign with scholarships against compulsory employment, and paid summer practice opportunities.
Being conscious about the necessity of expanding qualified education population-wide in the 21.century, METU is pioneering distance education technologies' development and diffusion. Our advantage is to be an institution, which knows 'education' at best. In the first instance we plan to offer our graduate and executive programs beyond Ankara. We are involved to install necessary infrastructure for this purpose. This way we will be able to serve you at your home or workplace.
In 2001, all departments of our Engineering Faculty including yours, have passed ABET evaluations and been certified as equivalent to US universities. This success is not only a result of our efforts, but also yours as alumni. I thank you again for your contributions to your university up to now and wish to see you with us in the projects which will bring our university to further successes.
I believe the METU graduates should undertake considerable responsibility in bringing Turkey out of the current economic crisis. Hence METU graduates should not be any more only job seekers, but entrepreneurs realizing new investments creating employment in the country. Majority of SMEs in turkey are owned and managed by people who didn't have found the opportunity to receive a qualified and sufficient education. As a result their share in national economy and exports are very low. You as the brightest brains equipped with knowledge and skills should establish SMEs. These enterprises will create employment, expand the economy and increase exports, and so contribute to increase our national income and social welfare.
I wish you a successful and health professional life.
1 November 2001
Prof. Dr. Ural Akbulut
Rector, Middle East Technical University
Ankara, Turkey
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