April 3 marks the 99th birthday of Bilkent University’s beloved founder, Prof. İhsan Doğramacı. Each year, Bilkent celebrates Prof. Doğramacı’s birthday as Bilkent Day. This year, Bilkent Day will include three main events: the İhsan Doğramacı Memorial Lecture, a pair of seminars organized by the Faculty of Science and a celebratory concert by the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. We remember Prof. Doğramacı on the anniversary of his birth with deepest respect and affection.
“The Spirit of İhsan Doğramacı” to Be Commemorated at Lecture Program
The 2014 İhsan Doğramacı Memorial Lecture will take place on Thursday, April 3, at Mithat Çoruh Conference Hall. The program for the event will feature presentations by Prof. Guiseppe Benagiano of La Sapienza University and Prof. Mahmoud F. Fathalla of Assiut University, both members of the Governing Council of the International Children’s Center.
The program will start at 3:30 p.m. with opening remarks by Prof. Adnan Akay, provost of Bilkent University, and Prof. Tomris Türmen, president of the International Children’s Center, and continue with the short film, “The Sprit of İhsan Doğramacı.” This will be followed by Prof. Benagiano’s lecture, entitled “İhsan Doğramacı, a Giant and a Friend,” and Prof. Fathalla’s lecture, “Remembering a Great Man and His Noble Mission.”
Giuseppe Benagiano graduated in medicine and surgery from the University of Rome, and also received a PhD in human reproduction there. A professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University La Sapienza, he has also served as dean of La Sapienza’s Postgraduate School of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
Mahmoud Fathalla received his MD degree from Cairo University, and his PhD from the University of Edinburgh. A professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Assiut University in Egypt, he has also held the position of dean of the Assiut University School of Medicine.
Both Prof. Benagiano and Prof. Fathalla have served as director of the UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction.
PROGRAM
3:30 p.m. Opening Remarks
Prof. Adnan Akay – Provost, Bilkent University
Prof. Tomris Türmen – President, International Children’s Center
3:45 p.m. Short Film: “The Spirit of İhsan Doğramacı”
4 p.m. Presentation: “İhsan Doğramacı, a Giant and a Friend”
Prof. Giuseppe Benagiano – La Sapienza University (Rome)
4:30 p.m. Presentation: “Remembering a Great Man and His Noble Mission”
Prof. Mahmoud F. Fathalla – Assiut University (Assiut, Egypt)
5 p.m. Presentation of Plaques
Faculty of Science Seminars in Memory of Prof. İhsan Doğramacı
On April 2 and 3, the Faculty of Science will hold two seminars in memory of Prof. İhsan Doğramacı. Entitled “Dynamic Mutations and Human Genome Complexity” and “Autism Spectrum Disorders: New Mutations, Genes and Pathways,” the seminars will be presented by Dr. Evan E. Eichler of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the University of Washington.
Dr. Eichler, who received his PhD in molecular biology and genetics from the Baylor College of Medicine, is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The seminars to be given by Dr. Eichler at Bilkent will draw on his research and expertise on the human genome. They will be in held in EE-01.
Program
April 2
3:40 Introduction
3:45 “Dynamic Mutations and Human Genome Complexity”
4:30 Discussion
April 3
1:30 Introduction
1:35 “Autism Spectrum Disorders: New Mutations, Genes and Pathways”
2:30 Discussion
Memorial Concert
On Thursday, April 3 the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra will be performing a special concert under the baton of Neeme Jarvi with Gülsin Onay as piano soloist.
Thursday, April 3
Commemoration of Prof. İhsan Doğramacı
Bilkent Concert Hall / 8 p.m.
Conductor: Neeme Jarvi
Piano: Gülsin Onay
F. Chopin | Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
P. I. Tchaikovsky | Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20a