ELAZIG GUNISIGI NEWSPAPER – May 2011
UNITY OF HEART
There has been a significant increase in the number of universities in our country. As a result, the resources allocated to newly established universities are notably higher when compared to those of long-established ones. From an outside perspective, one might wonder, “If you are an established university, why do you need such large resources? Haven’t you completed your development?” However, being established means continuous development and growth; if development halts, scientific work also halts, and at that point, it wouldn’t be right to refer to the institution as a university. In other words, there will always be a need for financial resources.
Looking at the Department of Civil Engineering at Fırat University, it’s evident that the number of students admitted each year has been increasing. This is a positive development for our city and university. However, the increase in the number of students must be proportional to the demands of the departments. For departments to accommodate more students, physical spaces and the number of teaching staff must increase as well. Without expanding the physical space or increasing the number of faculty members, the constant increase in student quotas set by the Higher Education Council (YÖK) has been putting everyone—from students to teachers—in a difficult situation.
The Civil Engineering Department is one of the best examples of this issue. Until 1992, the department admitted around 50 students per year. However, after 1992, with the introduction of the evening program (second shift), an additional 40 students were admitted. Along with its strong academic staff, Fırat University’s Civil Engineering Department has continuously worked to contribute to the development of universities in neighboring provinces, and this effort continues.
In the last four years, despite no requests for an increase in the student quota, the number of students has nearly doubled. The fact that the number of students has increased without a proportional increase in faculty and facilities has brought about many shortcomings.
The doubling of the student population means that classrooms are constantly overcrowded. Our students have faced difficulties finding space to study or draw projects within their department. It was quite difficult for our university to address this issue, as almost every department faces similar challenges.
The greatest demand from our students was to have study rooms within the department where they could work on their lessons and draw projects. The first step in creating such a study room was taken when our Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Mehmet ÜLKER, our Department Head, Prof. Dr. Necati KULOĞLU, faculty members Prof. Dr. Zülfü Çınar ULUCAN, Asst. Prof. Dr. Levent TAŞÇI, Asst. Prof. Dr. Nihat KAYA, Asst. Prof. Dr. Taner ALATAŞ, and Specialist A. Tevfik BİLDİK decided on the most suitable place for the study room.
Since the establishment of the Fırat Civil Engineers Association (FİMDER), it has continuously contributed to the Civil Engineering Department. Contributing to the training of future civil engineers and technical experts in every possible way is a great honor. The greatest encouragement for the construction of the study room came from FİMDER.
When preparing the project, I was very excited because the construction would take place without any financial income. During the excavation phase, Haydar KARAKAYA (Hayma Construction) took charge of the formwork and ironwork, and our graduate Ahmet YAŞA (ÜNTAŞ) covered the iron costs of the construction. This was the first step in showing the love for our department.
The financial contributions of Elazığ’s well-known businessmen, Recep ALYAMAÇ, Mehmet KARACA, and Muhammet YILMAZ (Harput Beton), helped bring the structure to life. The contributions of our graduates and association members, such as İbrahim Gençer, Halil İbrahim ERDOĞAN, Zülfü ER, Mustafa SUSALAN, Ender ESER, Taha Yusuf EMİROĞLU, and Muzaffer KARABURU, are highly valuable to us. It was especially significant that the contributions didn’t stop with our alumni or colleagues, as Architect Kazım SANAÇ, Murat ÇİÇEK, and Baysaklar Construction also contributed, which was a true reflection of the value placed on the Civil Engineering Department.
We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary efforts of our colleague Erhan YALÇIN, our department staff Seyfettin ÇİÇEK, Mehmet AYDIN, Mümtaz YENTÜR, and Mehmet CİPLİ during every stage of the construction.
Our colleague and alumnus Ramazan GÜRGÖZE (Birlik Beton-Fırat Engineering), as always, provided invaluable support. When I was looking for plastering material, my classmate, colleague Mahmut ÖZBAY (AR Plaster Operations Manager), conveyed our request to the AR Plaster Management. Asilhan ARSLAN (AR Plaster Chairman of the Board) covering all plastering expenses was a gesture that greatly added to our students’ happiness.
When the construction of the study room reached its final stages, there was only one material in everyone’s mind for the flooring: Elazığ cherry marble. Yahya Alper BEKTAŞ, President of the Elazığ Marble and Mining Association (EMMAD), showed great interest and sensitivity in this matter, and Oğuzhan ARSLAN, Chairman of Alacakaya Marble’s Board of Directors, provided their unconditional support. What is this, if not the unity of heart in Elazığ?
Despite his financial contribution, our colleague Suat YAŞA visited the construction site and, with contributions from Selami YAŞA and Baysaklar Construction, installed the entire heating system. Our doctoral student Mehmet Esen EREN took care of the electrical installations, and our colleague and alumnus Kenan ALTUNGÖK ensured that the study room was completely furnished, adding the finishing touches.
Our students followed the construction with great enthusiasm from start to finish. I am sure that many of the kind-hearted contributors to this project may not think it necessary to have their names mentioned in this writing. My only purpose here is to share the joy and happiness of our students.
Regardless of one’s worldview, coming together unconditionally when it comes to service is one of the most valuable qualities of our nation.
We also want to thank the alumni, colleagues, and businessmen who couldn’t contribute but expressed regret for not being able to help. I would like to extend my deepest thanks, on behalf of my students, myself, the Civil Engineering Department, and FİMDER, to everyone who contributed, both financially and morally.
I hope that our unity of heart, which surpasses money, profit, interest, and politics, continues to grow stronger.
With respect and gratitude…