ERU Faculty of Communication organized “Süleyman Çetinsaya Communication and Media Incentive Awards” ceremony and the opening lecture on “Communication and Media Ethics in Türkiye” by Journalist Nazlı Çelik.

Governor of Kayseri Gökmen Çiçek, Kayseri Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç, our Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Altun, Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) Vice President İbrahim Uslu, our Vice Rector and Dean of Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Hakan Aydın, Businessman Süleyman Çetinsaya, Chairman of Kayseri Association of Journalists Metin Kösedağ, academics and many students attended the event held at Erciyes Culture Center.

Making a speech at the event, our Rector said that they attached importance to the events organized for the students.

He thanked Nazlı Çelik, who participated in the event, and continued as follows: “You know how well-established and strong Erciyes University is. I would like to state that we are trying to provide you, our students, with valuable educational activities as much as we can by preparing you for life and keeping our social and cultural activities at the maximum level.”

He also thanked Businessman Süleyman Çetinsaya for his contributions to the university and said: “Mr. Süleyman Çetinsaya, an esteemed industrialist and investor, has significantly contributed to our university. It is very important for our university to feel his support when needed.”

Prof. Dr. Hakan Aydın said: “As ERU Faculty of Communication, we attach great importance to the training of our students in the best manner. Within this framework, we are trying to produce synergy with the theoretical knowledge and experience, practical skills in our application units and the contributions of our external stakeholders.”

He continued as follows: “ERU Faculty of Communication has been accredited for a period of 6 years until 2026 and has had the right to include TYÇ (Turkish Qualifications Framework) and AYÇ (European Qualifications Framework) logos in its diploma. In addition, it has become one of the most important stakeholders of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) regarding the media dimension of the fight against Islamophobia, Media Literacy in Digital Age and Turkish Workshops, organized in European capitals, Yunus Emre Turkish Awards and Family- and Child-Friendly Media Productions Awards, of the Ministry of National Education with International Projects and Asım’s Generation Film Festival, and, lastly, of Kayseri Association of Journalists with its projects on the city, history and communication and common educational activities besides its mechanisms of publication and incentives. As from the 2023-2024 Academic Year, our Faculty will implement two new practices that will crown these achievements. The first of these practices is Süleyman Çetinsaya Communication and Media Incentive Awards, which is a demo this year and aims to encourage qualified media production by rewarding our successful students and graduates, and the second one is the academic year opening lectures in which we will bring our students together with experienced and doyen names in our field. I would like to thank our former Deans and Rectors, academic and administrative staff, who contributed to all these achievements and provided support, our current Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Altun, who has provided us with significant support and encouraged us to carry these achievements even further, Mr. Süleyman Çetinsaya for his continuous support, and Ms. Nazlı Çelik for accepting our invitation and coming together with our students as part of the opening lecture.”

Mr. Süleyman Çetinsaya said: “I hope that our students will graduate from the Faculty of Communication as knowledgeable and experienced individuals.”

After opening speeches, “Süleyman Çetinsaya Communication and Media Incentive Awards” were given to their owners.

After the award ceremony, Journalist Nazlı Çelik gave the opening lecture on “Communication and Media Ethics in Türkiye”.

Sharing her professional experiences with the students, she continued as follows: “Dear young people, you are the architects of the future. As you all know, in democracies, media is considered a fourth power that will regulate the legislation, jurisdiction and enforcement. We may be colleagues with you in the future or may compete with each other; however, you will be in very important positions. Never forget the following: Everyone has their own unique story, and they are all different and valuable. Be sure to push away the voice inside your head that constantly speaks negatively, makes you lazy and limits your potential because believing that you will succeed is half the battle.”