Our university bid farewell to the graduates of 2025 with a ceremony held at our Ürgüp Factory Campus. This special graduation ceremony, coinciding with our 20th anniversary, was an unforgettable day for our students, their families, and our faculty.

The ceremony was attended by Ürgüp District Governor Ömer Coşkun, Ürgüp Mayor Ali Ertuğrul Bul, our Chair of the Board of Trustees Funda F. Aktan, our Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Kaan Aktan, our Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar, Ankara University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünüvar, NEVÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Semih Aktekin, Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Arda Heb, Acting Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Muhsin Özdemir, Provincial Director of Health Dr. Hasan Tartar, Acting Provincial Director of Migration Management Ekrem Emre Çölyen, Ürgüp Police Chief Mevlüt Tüylü, Ürgüp Gendarmerie Commander Muhammed Şahin, our academics, administrative staff, students, and their families.

Our Chair of the Board of Trustees, Funda F. Aktan: "A Graduation Carrying a 20-Year Legacy"

Speaking at our graduation ceremony, our Chair of the Board of Trustees, Funda F. Aktan, emphasized the special significance of our 2025 graduation ceremony, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of our university's founding. Recalling that Cappadocia Vocational School began in 2005 with only five programs and 68 students, Aktan stated that today, it has reached a strong structure with 11,600 students, 60 programs, and approximately 20,000 alumni. "Cappadocia University is the only foundation university established outside of a major city and is currently the second largest foundation university outside of Istanbul," Aktan said, emphasizing that the vision of our founder, Alev Alatlı, lies at the heart of our university's success. Aktan stated that this educational model, created by transforming the wisdom of the past to meet the needs of the future, is not merely an institution, but also an idea and an ideal. "Today, the legacy left by Alev Alatlı is not just a story; it is a compass that illuminates the future. As Cappadocia University administrators, we are determined to raise free-thinking, questioning, and productive individuals," he concluded.

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar: "KÜN is a Civilization Project"

Karasar began his speech by expressing his pride in seeing the valedictorian's speech as reflecting the values ​​of Cappadocia University. He commemorated our founder, Professor Alev Alatlı, with respect. Karasar said, "We cannot forget the excitement and joy with which our founder Alev Alatlı was among us at graduations, but her ideas still illuminate our path." Emphasizing that Cappadocia University is not merely an institution of higher education but also a civilization project built on "pillars of reason, morality, justice, and decency," Karasar addressed the students: "Our students of yesterday, our graduates of today… Throughout your years at our university, you have taken courses, forged friendships, and acquired skills and competencies. Now, you stand on the threshold of a new beginning. May your path be clear, your future bright. May your direction be firm." Emphasizing that KÜN is a living representation of the Ahi tradition, Karasar concluded his remarks with Ahi Evran's centuries-old, wise words: "He who comes to us, asking for patience with God, is one of us. He who works with reason and morality and surpasses us is one of us."

Our Students Donned Their Sheds

One of the most meaningful moments of the ceremony was the "donning of the shed," our university's traditional graduation ceremony. Inspired by the Ahi tradition, this practice symbolizes the graduating students' attainment of professional maturity. Each graduate who donned the sed not only received a diploma, but also a sense of responsibility, culture, and tradition.

The ceremony, watched with pride by families, was filled with emotional moments, and Cappadocia University distinguished itself once again in its 20th year with its commitment to both its past and its future.