During the 2025-2026 academic year graduation ceremonies, we sent off our 22nd term graduates into the future with great enthusiasm and pride. In the graduation ceremonies held in four separate sessions over two days, more than 10,000 students received their diplomas and took their first steps into their professional lives. The ceremonies, where thousands of graduates threw their caps into the sky at the same time, witnessed emotionally charged moments and colorful scenes, while families shared this unforgettable happiness of their children with applause.
The ceremonies, featuring opening speeches by our University’s President of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, Vice President of the Board of Trustees Dr. Halit Fatih Aydın, and Rector Prof. Dr. İbrahim Hakkı Aydın, were attended by faculty members, administrative staff, graduates, their families, and many guests.
Istanbul Aydın University, which started its educational journey in 2003 with only 1,815 students in a single building, continues to shape higher education today as one of Turkey’s strongest foundation universities with more than 50,000 students, over 100,000 graduates, and a modern campus reaching 600,000 square meters. Bringing its number of alumni to six figures with the addition of approximately 10,000 new graduates, the university resolutely pursues its goal of becoming a university that generates global value through its scientific production-centered approach, international vision, and applied education model.
“Artificial Intelligence May Advance, But It Cannot Replace Conscience”
Speaking at the ceremony, our President of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, pointed out that humanity is experiencing one of the fastest periods of change in history and emphasized that technological developments should not overshadow humanity’s core values. Stating that the world is going through a deep transformation process ranging from artificial intelligence to economic shifts, Prof. Dr. Aydın expressed that no matter how much technology advances, it cannot replicate human conscience, judgment, and ethical values.
“Data may grow, artificial intelligence may advance; however, no technology can simulate conscience, common sense, and the moral compass,” said Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, noting that our university regards raising conscientious, socially sensitive individuals with a highly developed sense of justice as its fundamental goal, rather than just academic success. Addressing the graduates, Aydın stated that the professions of the future have not yet been formed and called on young people never to stop lifelong learning. He used the following expressions: “As your knowledge increases, let your humility increase as well. Add value to every place you are in, and be a part of solutions, not problems. The world no longer looks only for knowledgeable people; it seeks people who are trustworthy, virtuous, and can adapt to change the fastest”.
“We Have Become a University That Produces Global Value with 100,000 Graduates”
Our Rector, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Hakkı Aydın, stated that the development demonstrated by our university over the past 23 years is an important success story for Turkish higher education. Stating that the university currently hosts more than 10,000 international students from 125 different countries, Aydın expressed that our university has reached a prestigious position on a global scale with its international scientific collaborations, research activities, and rise in world rankings.
“Today, while sending off our 22nd term graduates, we experience the justified pride of raising our number of graduates to over 100,000,” said Prof. Dr. İbrahim Hakkı Aydın, stating that students are not raised merely as individuals who receive diplomas, but as young people who produce projects, solve problems, think internationally, and shape change. Addressing the youth, Rector Aydın said, “We raised you to be individuals who think, not memorize. Have goals, work hard. Societies that produce, manage, and use knowledge shape the future. We wholeheartedly believe that you will successfully represent our country all over the world”.
“True Success is Measured by Character”
Our Vice President of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Halit Fatih Aydın, stated that graduation is not merely the end of an educational process, but the beginning of a new life. Saying that since the day it was founded, Istanbul Aydın University has aimed to raise not just individuals with a profession, but people who question, produce, possess a conscience, and feel a responsibility toward society, Aydın expressed that the success of a university is measured not by the number of diplomas it gives, but by the value its graduates add to society.
“Today, we do not just see doctors, engineers, lawyers, or teachers here. Above all, we see good people,” said Dr. Halit Fatih Aydın, calling on graduates to continue lifelong learning. Expressing that success in the new world shaped by artificial intelligence and digital transformation will only be possible through continuous development, Aydın said, “Knowledge brings you a profession, hard work brings you success; however, character brings you trust. And trust is the greatest capital a person can possess”.
10 Thousand New Graduates, A Great Family of Over 100 Thousand
During the graduation ceremonies that continued for two days, students received their diplomas with great pride, and thousands of graduates throwing their caps into the sky at the same time became one of the most unforgettable moments of the ceremonies. While a festive atmosphere was experienced on campus, families celebrated their children’s success with tears and applause.
Center-staging scientific production, adopting internationalization as a strategic priority, and preparing its students for the future with an applied education model, Istanbul Aydın University continues to contribute to the future of Turkey and the world with the more than 100,000 graduates it has raised. Continuing its growth in line with the goal of being among the leading universities in international higher education through its global value-producing, science, and technology-oriented studies, our university continues to send its graduates off into the future not just with a diploma, but with knowledge, character, ethical values, and a sense of social responsibility.
