Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Special Education Club hosted Turgay Karakaş who holds the title of Türkiye Yüzyılı Scientist, the first aerospace engineer of Türkiye with cerebral palsy and, a senior engineer at the TÜBİTAK Defense Industry Research and Development Institute (SAGE). The event took place on Monday, 23 December 2024 at 02:30 p.m. at Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall where Karakaş shared his success story with the slogan of “There is No Such Thing as Impossible, It Only Takes a Little Time”.
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Culture Department’s Directors Şirin Zaferyıldızı Zaimağaoğlu, TRNC Presidency Persons with Disability Committee Chair Ahmet Akdeniz, EMU Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, EMU Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu, EMU Health Sciences Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç, EMU Communication Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Metin Ersoy and EMU Engineering Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özkaramanlı attended the event.
The talk event commenced with a video screening about Karakaş’s life and career journey and, continued with the opening speeches.
“A Very Important Source of Inspiration for All”
Delivering the opening speech of the event, Prof. Dr. Kılıç said; “At today’s event, Turgay Karakaş who holds the title of Türkiye Yüzyılı Scientist, the first aerospace engineer of Türkiye with cerebral palsy and, a senior engineer at the TÜBİTAK Defense Industry Research and Development Institute will share inspiring examples that demonstrate the idea that nothing is impossible. Mr. Karakaş will also recount his remarkable career journey. In life, there are no limits if you learn to pursue your dreams, work diligently, and persevere. Mr. Karakaş exemplifies this mindset, and I am certain his experiences will provide invaluable inspiration and guidance for us all. In addition to its commitment to delivering quality education, our university also fosters the development of students’ vision by bringing them together with distinguished individuals from various fields who have achieved extraordinary success”.
“We Are Nails Supporting the Progress of This Country”
Taking the stage following the opening speech, Karakaş inspired EMU students by sharing his journey, which included his personal background, overcoming illness, being recognized as a gifted individual, and his notable accomplishments. He recounted the difficulties he faced in his education due to congenital cerebral palsy and explained that his true life struggle began after these challenges. Karakaş also discussed his achievements at TÜBİTAK and how his aerospace engineering career took shape. Recalling his university years, he highlighted leading Türkiye’s first Cruise Missile Project, remarking, “We made contributions to all types of munitions, including air-to-ground, ground-to-sea, ground-to-air, and even submarine systems.” Karakaş concluded his speech with a powerful message: “A nail secures a horseshoe, a horseshoe saves a horse, a horse carries a hero, and a hero can shape the destiny of a nation. Each of us is a nail contributing to the development of this country.”
A Courtesy Visit to EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Kılıç
Prior to the talk event, Turgay Karakaş and the delegation accompanying him, paid a courtesy visit to EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç. At the end of the meeting, Prof. Dr. Kılıç presented Karakaş a traditional Cypriot souvenir.
