Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Atatürk Ideology Club (ADK) organized two separate events on the occasion of 24 November – Teachers’ Day. Firstly, the club held a seminar titled “Başöğretmen Atatürk’ün İzinde: Doğa Bilinciyle Aydınlık Bir Gelecek”. Secondly, in collaboration with International Student Societies and EMU Student Clubs, a symbolic tree planting event was held at the pool area of Rector’s Office building.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen, Academic Supervisor of EMU Atatürk Ideology Club, moderated the seminar organized at Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall. The said seminar featured Urban Education Specialist and Landscape Architect Dr. Gülizar Eroğlu.
“Teaching Profession is a Way of Life”
Delivering a speech at the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen touched on the meaning and importance of 24 November – Teachers’ Day. She also highlighted the process through which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was awarded the title of ‘Head Teacher’. Mentioning that Teachers’ Day has been celebrated in Türkiye since 1981, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Üçışık Erbilen stressed that teaching is not just a profession but a way of life. She also explained how the event combined Atatürk’s educational vision with environmental awareness, noting his many important contributions to environmental initiatives. Moreover, she emphasized the importance of these efforts for a greener future and stated that the tree-planting activity symbolically represented all students.
Following the opening speech, Dr. Eroğlu delivered an extensive presentation covering Atatürk’s passion for nature, his leadership on environmental matters during his tenure, his pioneering projects, initiatives in agriculture and livestock, and his perspective on urban planning and environmental issues. By sharing specific examples of Atatürk’s environmental efforts, Dr. Eroğlu helped enhance participants’ awareness of the subject.
Motto: Growing Together
After the seminar, International Student Societies and EMU Student Clubs held a symbolic tree planting event at the poolside of EMU Rector’s Office building. During the event organized with the motto of “Growing Together”, a plane tree and an olive tree were planted, representing different cultures and nations. The plane tree symbolized the International Student Societies, on the other hand, the olive tree represented EMU Student Clubs. This meaningful event conveyed a powerful message, representing EMU’s multicultural community, the spirit of unity, mutual support, and the gathering of people around common values.
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, EMU Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu, EMU General Secretary Derviş Ekşici, EMU Student Development, Activities and Sports Affairs Director Cemal Kılıç, ADK Academic Supervisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen, academic and administrative personnel members, and many students attended the event.
“A Symbol of Togetherness and Shared Commitment to Common Values”
In his speech, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç underscored the meaningfulness of the event held in celebration of Teachers’ Day. He remarked that November 24th has long been observed as a way to honour Atatürk’s legacy, and that planting long-living trees such as olive and plane trees further strengthens this significance. Prof. Dr. Kılıç emphasized, “People may have different roots, but what matters most is humanity, friendship, and unity”, underlining the importance of uniting diverse cultures and prioritizing human values. He concluded by noting that the tree-planting activity symbolized solidarity, togetherness, and the shared commitment to common values