A meaningful graduation ceremony for nursing home residents from MAKÜ

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) Aging Studies Application and Research Center (YAŞAM) organized a meaningful event for the residents of Burdur Hilmi Hafize Evin Nursing Home. In the 'Graduation of Experiences' program held after five weeks of activities, the nursing home residents experienced the joy of receiving their graduation certificates and medals.

Meaningful Meeting at Avşarhan Cinema Hall
The event, attended by about 30 residents of Burdur Hilmi Hafize Evin Nursing Home who received their diplomas, took place at MAKÜ Avşarhan Cinema Hall. The program was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, Bucak Mayor Hülya Gümüş, university administration, academicians, students, and nursing home residents.

Opening Speech by YAŞAM Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz Say Şahin
In her opening speech, YAŞAM Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz Say Şahin talked about the studies conducted by their center in the field of geriatrics and gerontology. She stated that they have determined 'loneliness' as the theme for 2024 and will continue to work on the theme of 'happiness' with elderly values in 2025. She emphasized that they have made a difference in the academic world with the research and field studies they conducted in this area through the events held. She also mentioned that their center provided consultancy services to 68 master's and doctoral students and organized informational meetings for 1500 undergraduate students in the past year. Say Şahin, who presented the activities they conducted with the nursing home residents with a slide show, thanked everyone who contributed, especially the volunteer students of the Aging Studies Community.

Then, Happiness Research Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökmen Arslan made a short speech, talking about the effects of these events on the elderly as the Happiness Coordination. He shared somatic data.

Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar: “Today we saw how universal knowledge is transformed into social contribution and happiness”
Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar emphasized the university's vision of social contribution in his speech. He expressed his pride in sharing the happiness of the nursing home residents, stating the importance of projects aimed at touching every segment of society for the university.

Rector Dalgar emphasized that when they took office, they created a policy document and priorities with the motto of transforming universal knowledge into social contribution; “Actually, today we saw very concretely how universal knowledge is transformed into social contribution and happiness, how it is reflected to people in every layer of society, and in the end, the fact that this has been scientifically measured is a much more meaningful and fitting determination for the university, academia, and the scientific world in this aspect. I really thank our valuable elders who will graduate today for participating in this program,” he said.

 Saying “Age but do not grow old,” Rector Dalgar added that the university plans to expand its rural development-oriented studies with new projects like the 'Village University'.

Emotional Speeches from Nursing Home Residents
In the event, nursing home residents Aysel Demiral and Hüseyin Şengül also made speeches expressing their feelings. The nursing home residents stated that these events made them very happy and expressed their desire to see them continue.

Diploma and Medal Ceremony
In the program, graduation certificates and medals were presented to the nursing home residents by Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar and Bucak Mayor Hülya Gümüş. The graduates, whose happiness was evident on their faces, thanked those who contributed and wished for the continuation of the events.

Fun-Filled Closing with Folk Songs
The program concluded with folk songs performed by the instructors of the MAKÜ Conservatory Department. Participants had enjoyable moments, and the event was etched in memory as an unforgettable day for both academicians and nursing home residents.

This meaningful organization was highly appreciated as a beautiful example of MAKÜ's understanding of social contribution and social responsibility.