“My Dear Kültür Family,

We are leaving behind a difficult year in which we tried to manage the current effects of the pandemic, redefined normalization, and passed serious exams in the economy. The pressure of uncertainty deepens our human needs for hope and trust.

As Istanbul Kültür University, we passed many exams in our 25-year history and as Kültür College 62 years. We managed all changes, especially sharp changes at the political level, and the economic and social crises experienced throughout the country, with the strength we derive from our own resources. However, the spiritual strength that comes from being a family has also been the source of hope and trust we have for each other.

My Dear Kültür Family,

Every institution that has a long history and gained experience over time knows that life progresses with certain difficulties. Therefore, it is always prepared and resilient to the reality of the crisis. Every crisis gives an immunity. We, as Kültür Family, are an institution with a strong psychological capital. Of course, we cannot be completely isolated from the agenda of the country and the world. We are experiencing its effects, but we do not and will not let sharp transitions touch our realities of trust, solidarity and sharing.

As we approach the new year step by step, I request you to put more effort into sharing and solidarity than ever before. Generations are changing, conditions are changing… Our friends who were students at Kültür yesterday are our colleagues today. There is change and it always will be. The important thing is to protect the sense of meaning of our work, of education, and to be aware of the values that carry us beyond time.

Secularism, Atatürk's Principles and Revolutions, Republic gains, science is our strongest guide as always. Cultural values are our guide. Our deep-rooted history and independent equity are our greatest assurance. In this sense, we have invaluable qualities to build confidence and keep hope.

My Dear Kültür Family,

2022 is an important year for culture. The effects of the pandemic still continue. Technology is the most powerful instrument for sustainability of education in all crisis scenarios. Our primary goal in 2022 is to continue education without interruption.

In addition to education, research and social responsibility are the mission of our university. We expect our academic staff to be much more active in 2022 on research that presents and analyzes quality data and triggers new ideas. In this context, I strongly request that our faculties increase their synergy with research and application centers. The ultimate goal of all our research and application centers should be to increase the research performance of IKU, together with our Motion Analysis Center, which we opened last week, and our Technology and Project Support Unit, which brought a breath of fresh air to the point of encouraging research, especially the IKU Graduate Thesis Project Supports Expansion. I would like to state that together with our Rector, we will wholeheartedly support all activities that will increase the research effort of our university.

In the field of social responsibility, as a university, we should expand our area of responsibility and action. There are critical issues waiting for solutions, especially climate change, migration, violence and discrimination, women's and children's rights, technological inequalities that cause information gap, employment, awareness, protection and development of human rights and freedoms. As a university, we have the intellectual capacity to take both responsibility and action for the improvement and development of these topics. I wish our university to become the center of social projects that will raise awareness about the problems in the country and the world and produce solutions in 2022.

Dear Kültür Family,

It is my biggest wish on behalf of our university in the new year that all our colleagues show their presence with a high sense of responsibility, new ideas and exemplary actions.

While I congratulate you and your family on the new year on behalf of myself and Akıngüç Family, I wish that 2022 will bring success, peace and health to all members of Kültür.

With Friendship and Hope…

Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees”