At our 2025–2026 Commencement Ceremony, our 15th cohort of graduates received their diplomas in the presence of families, faculty, and guests, taking their first steps toward new journeys. Held at the Çekmeköy Campus, the ceremony brought together graduates from our doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate programs as they celebrated this milestone with their loved ones.

Addressing the graduates, Hüsnü M. Özyeğin, our Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees, emphasized that the true value of a university is measured by the contributions its graduates make to society, encouraging them to dream big and continue creating value. President Prof. Barış Tan noted that a university’s greatest achievement is the success of its graduates and called on students to remain committed to lifelong learning, believe in themselves, and embrace the responsibility of making the world a better place.

This year’s commencement ceremony also marked an important first for our University. In recognition of his distinguished research and longstanding contributions to academia, Prof. Atilla Ansal was awarded the University’s first title of Professor Emeritus. Presented by Hüsnü M. Özyeğin , our Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Prof. Barış Tan, Özyeğin University President, the honor stands as a strong testament to Özyeğin University’s commitment to academic excellence and the advancement of knowledge.