The ITU Maritime Faculty held its graduation ceremony on July 1, marking the 100th anniversary of Maritime and Cabotage Day, attended by graduates and
Celebration of ITU Maritime Graduates on the 100th Anniversary of Maritime and Cabotage Day
The graduation ceremony for the 2025-2026 Academic Year of the ITU Faculty of Maritime was held on July 1, marking the 100th anniversary of Maritime and Cabotage Day at the Tuzla Campus. Graduates shared their joy of graduation with their families and academics, while representatives from the public, civil society, and the maritime sector also attended the ceremony.
As in previous years, the ceremony organized within the scope of Maritime and Cabotage Day began with a performance by the Pipe and Drum Band. After ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal and Faculty of Maritime Dean Prof. Dr. Özcan Arslan laid a wreath at sea, a moment of silence was observed in memory of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and all martyrs. In the opening speeches, the late student Muhammed Kaan Kılınç and Lecturer Yusuf Nejat Koçar were also remembered with respect.
Prof. Özcan: Our Faculty of Maritime is the pioneer of the Republic in the field of maritime
In his speech, Dean Prof. Dr. Özcan Arslan stated that efforts to maintain the Faculty of Maritime's pioneering position in the field of maritime for the Republic continue resolutely. Providing information about new structures put into service at the faculty in the last year with the contributions of sector representatives, Arslan expressed that the transformation process would continue and thanked all stakeholders who contributed.
Prof. Mandal: The solidarity of graduates distinguishes the Faculty of Maritime
Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal emphasized that one of the most important values that distinguishes the Faculty of Maritime is the lifelong solidarity understanding of its graduates in supporting the students who come after them. Mandal noted that this strong sense of belonging is one of the most important values of ITU, stating that the graduation ceremony coinciding with the 100th year of Maritime and Cabotage Day holds special significance. He pointed out that the maritime sector is undergoing a significant transformation process in the context of green transformation, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems, expressing his belief that ITU Faculty of Maritime graduates will play important roles in this transformation with their knowledge, competencies, and responsibilities.
During the ceremony, speeches were made by Av. Capt. Çağlar Coşkunsu, President of the ITU Faculty of Maritime Alumni Association (DEFAMED), faculty top graduates Dolunay Aryaz Bayar and Yusuf Sulhi Şimşek, Engineer Yunus Emre Aşkın, President of the Chamber of Marine Engineering, Başaran Bayrak, Council President of the IMEAK Chamber of Shipping, and Capt. Onur Sarı, Deputy General Director of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
Plaque presented to the son of the late Lecturer Yusuf Nejat Koçar
As part of the program, plaques were presented to sponsors, and student clubs that achieved success in sports and cultural areas were honored with certificates of appreciation. A plaque prepared in memory of the late Lecturer Yusuf Nejat Koçar was presented to his son, Ayberk Koçar.
After the professional oath was taken and the flag and pennant handover ceremony was held, certificates were awarded to students who ranked in the faculty and department, as well as to graduates. The program continued with a parade and concluded with the graduates throwing their caps.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
