Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar's Message for May 19 Youth and Sports Day

The independence struggle that began with Gazi Mustafa Kemal's arrival in Samsun on May 19, 1919, is one of the most significant turning points in Turkish history.
Gazi Mustafa Kemal's declaration of May 19 as Youth and Sports Day is a testament to his confidence in the youth. The future of the Republic of Turkey has been entrusted to our young people.
In this context, I have unwavering faith that our young people, with their abilities, thoughts, courage, emotions, and enthusiasm, will protect and preserve our country and will not remain indifferent to the oppressed around the world. 
We are making great efforts to raise self-confident, nationally conscious, and characterful, qualified young generations, to pave the way for our youth, and to better prepare them for life and the future. Undoubtedly, the most important duty in the coming century falls to our youth, who are the guarantee of our future. As universities, our most important duty is to raise responsible, sensitive, hardworking, and conscious young people and to make the consciousness of unity and solidarity, which is the foundation of our independence struggle, a guiding principle for them as we nurture the new generations who will be the architects of our future.
I wholeheartedly believe that our dear young people will strive to carry our country to more peaceful days by embracing our history and values with common sense and loyalty.
On this occasion, I celebrate May 19th, Atatürk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day, and commemorate with love, respect, mercy, and gratitude Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades, to whom we owe our independence, as well as all our martyrs and veterans.