Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) has signed collaboration protocols with Kırıkkale University and Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Islamic Science History Research Foundation (IBTAV). Furthermore, EMU hosted “Kayıp Mirasa Yolculuk: Bilim Tarihi ve İslam Medeniyetinin İnsanlığa Katkıları / A Journey to Lost Heritage: The History of Science and Contributions of Islamic Civilization to Humanity” seminar.
Protocols signed with IBTAV and Kırıkkale University
EMU signed protocols with Kırıkkale University and IBTAV on Wednesday, 3 December 2025 at 12:00 p.m., at EMU Senate Hall. The protocol with Kırıkkale University was signed by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and Kırıkkale University Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan. On the other hand, EMU’s protocol with IBTAV was signed by once again EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Kılıç as well as IBTAV Chairperson Mecit Çetinkaya and IBTAV Board of Trustees member Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan.
The collaboration protocols signed with the two institutions are designed to foster joint educational and research programs, facilitate cooperative projects, and launch a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing academic partnerships.
The signing ceremony of the protocols was attended by EMU Board of Trustees (VYK) President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, İbn-i Haldun University Board of Trustees President Prof. Dr. İrfan Gündüz, EMU VYK Members Halil İbrahim Orun, İsmail Güneş Güneşoğlu, Beyhan Gürgöze and Servet Karabacak, EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe and Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu, EMU Secretary General Derviş Ekşici and EMU Senate members.
“We are Proud”
Making a speech at the Protocol Signing Ceremony, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç offered insight on the history and institutional development of the university, expressing their pleasure expressing his pleasure at formalizing collaborations that will significantly advance EMU’s academic vision. Emphasizing the university’s focus on higher education and academic growth, Prof. Dr. Kılıç noted pride in signing these meaningful agreements, which are expected to enrich areas ranging from education and research to academic mobility and scientific output. Prof. Dr. Kılıç also underscored his belief that these protocols will unite the institutions’ scientific capacities around shared values, fostering a stronger environment for academic cooperation, and wished the initiatives every success.
Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, Rector of Kırıkkale University and Vice Chair of IBTAV, also made an address, explaining that they have ongoing collaborations with many institutions and organizations. Stating that the protocol signed with EMU marks their 169th protocol, Prof. Dr. Aslan outlined two main objectives of the protocol: first, to formalize inter-university collaboration, which will be detailed and implemented in the coming weeks; and second, in line with IBTAV’s mission, to share with the world, guided by ‘Fuat Hoca’, a vision for a comprehensive history of science. IBTAV Chairperson Mecit Çetinkaya extended his best wishes for the success of the protocol and seminar and thanked all participants for their involvement.
“The History of Science is one of the Core Fields”
Stating that the history of science is one of the core fields, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, IBTAV Board of Trustees member, noted that Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin pursued it for his own distinctive reasons. He emphasized that Prof. Dr. Sezgin devoted his academic career to documenting the often-overlooked contributions of Muslim scientists by European scholars. Erdoğan highlighted that progress in science and technology does not require a Western cultural background, and that Prof. Dr. Sezgin’s work demonstrates how one can achieve excellence in science, history, and technology while embracing a Muslim identity.
On the other hand, Prof. Dr. İrfan Gündüz from the Board of Trustees at İbn-i Haldun University underscored that each study carried out would honor the legacy of Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin. Saying; “Do not look to the skies alone for the future; it also lies in our roots”, Prof. Dr. Gündüz expressed his belief that the signed protocols and organized seminar would be fruitful.
EMU VYK President Dr. Erdal Özcenk also made an address, expressing his satisfaction in hosting two key collaborations that advance the university’s scientific vision. He highlighted that the protocol with IBTAV demonstrates their dedication to preserving and transmitting the rich heritage of our scientific history to future generations. Regarding the partnership with Kırıkkale University, Dr. Özcenk noted that it establishes the foundation for a strong academic alliance grounded in mutual engagement in education and research. He concluded by extending his best wishes for the success of both initiatives.
Following the signing ceremony, EMU VYK President Dr. Erdal Özcenk presented a silver plate to Prof. Dr. İrfan Gündüz, President of Board of Trustees at Ibn-i Haldun University. EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Kılıç also presented silver plates to Kırıkkale University Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, IBTAV Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, IBTAV President Mecit Çetinkaya, and IBTAV Board of Trustees Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan.
“Kayıp Mirasa Yolculuk: Bilim Tarihi ve İslam Medeniyetinin İnsanlığa Katkıları” Seminar
After the protocol signing session, a seminar titled ““Kayıp Mirasa Yolculuk: Bilim Tarihi ve İslam Medeniyetinin İnsanlığa Katkıları / A Journey to Lost Heritage: The History of Science and Contributions of Islamic Civilization to Humanity” was held at 02:30 p.m. at Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall. The seminar stood out by exploring significant milestones in the history of science and the contributions of Islamic civilization to humanity from multiple perspectives. The speakers included IBTAV President Mecit Çetinkaya, IBTAV Board of Trustees member Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, and Kırıkkale University Rector and IBTAV Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan. They offered comprehensive insights on civilization, the tradition of scholarship, historical continuity, and its relevance to the modern world, providing participants with a highly informative and engaging program.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Member of the Parliament Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu, Cyprus Evkaf Administration Director General Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sümer, EMU Board of Trustees (VYK) President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Ibn-i Haldun University Board of Trustees President Prof. Dr. İrfan Gündüz, EMU VYK members Beyhan Gürgöze and Servet Karabacak, EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe and Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu, EMU General Secretary Derviş Ekşici, faculty deans, department chairs, academic and administrative personnel members, and students attended the said event.
“Islamic Civilization has pioneered Scientific Achievement for Centuries”
At the seminar, IBTAV Board of Trustees member Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan reflected on his acquaintance with Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin, highlighting his singular role in the history of science. Erdoğan detailed the efforts to strengthen Prof. Dr. Sezgin’s connection to Türkiye and to transfer the outcomes of his research in Frankfurt to Istanbul. He emphasized that Islamic civilization has long been a leader in scientific achievement and that progress in civilization arises not from religious or cultural differences, but from dedication and viewing science as a collective human heritage. Erdoğan also underscored that with confidence, young Muslims can once again become pioneers in science and technology, noting that Türkiye’s ‘Century of Türkiye vision reinforces this goal.
“Muslims Hold a Vital and Unshakable Role in the Scientific Heritage of Humanity”
In his speech, IBTAV Chairperson Mecit Çetinkaya touched on Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin’s life and work, highlighting his crucial role in appreciating the historic contributions of Muslim scientists. He explained how Muslim scholars approached science in a systematic manner and how much of Western scientific knowledge was derived from the Islamic world, noting that Western societies have, over time, sought to downplay this fact. Using examples ranging from Ibn-i Sina to the maps created by Muslim geographers, Çetinkaya emphasized the Islamic world’s defining role in the history of science and reaffirmed that Muslims occupy a strong and indispensable position in humanity’s scientific heritage.
“Knowledge, Science, Wisdom and Future”
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç emphasized that the seminar was a valuable platform underscoring the exceptional role of Islamic civilization in humanity’s collective scientific legacy. He pointed out that the methods developed by Muslim scholars over many centuries laid the groundwork for modern science, and highlighted the importance of the universal character of science and cross-cultural interaction in advancing human knowledge. Prof. Dr. Kılıç noted that EMU views science not merely as academic production, but as a driving force for societal progress, adding that the university continues to provide its students with the highest-quality research and educational opportunities guided by the principles of “knowledge, science, wisdom, and future”. Adding more, Prof. Dr. Kılıç thanked IBTAV for preserving Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin’s scholarly heritage and stated that the collaboration protocols signed between EMU, Kırıkkale University, and IBTAV would make valuable contributions to both education and research.
“All Scientific Fields Influence One Another”
In his speech, Kırıkkale University Rector and IBTAV Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan expressed that today’s young participants would carry lasting impressions from this event in the years to come. He underlined that those who understand their heritage and can accurately interpret the present are better equipped to move confidently into the future, drawing attention to the significance of family, self-awareness, and knowing oneself. Prof. Dr. Aslan added that the intellectual accumulation and skills of past generations play a vital role in shaping what lies ahead, emphasizing that all scientific fields influence one another. He concluded by stating that the scientific achievements of one society inspire and illuminate the path of others.
At the seminar, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Kılıç presented souvenirs to IBTAV Board of Trustees member Necmettin Bilal Erdoğan, IBTAV Chairperson Mecit Çetinkaya, Kırıkkale University Rector as well as Vice Chair of IBTAV Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan.
