The
University is pleased to announce the recipients of the Distinguished Teachers of the Year
Award for 2007. Asst. Prof. Aslıhan Altay Salih and Assoc. Prof. Ali Sinan Sertöz were
chosen based on the comments of Bilkent students, alumni and colleagues for demonstrating
outstanding teaching abilities, and for contributing to students’ academic and
intellectual development. The Bilkent News asked this year's "Distinguished
Teachers" for their thoughts on receiving this award.
Asst. Prof.
Aslıhan Altay Salih / Department of Management
This prestigious award honors me. Teaching is an extremely joyful and rewarding experience
for me. It is joyful when I see the interest and the enthusiasm in the eyes of the
students who are learning with me. It is rewarding when I see one of my students
competently solving a complex problem in an elegant way in front of a tough audience, or
when they come up with creative solutions I have not thought of.
There are many people who shared this wonderful experience with me. I would like to thank
all of my current and former students, my colleagues in the department, and my former
teachers for this award. Last but not least I would like to thank to my parents, Murat,
Bahar and Batuhan for being such a supportive family.
Assoc. Prof. Ali
Sinan Sertöz / Department of Mathematics
If "Happy is the man who can make a living out of his hobby," then I do not know
what adjective is suitable to describe him when he is given an award on top of that. I was
already amazed that I am constantly being paid for my hobby – not only for doing it but
also for sharing it with students. Now, this award simply increases my amazement that
wonderful things do happen in life. I am honored to receive this award. I will display it
with pride. It will continuously remind me that tomorrow the world will be a better place
because of this huge and distinguished body of teachers all around the world of whom I am
a humble and happy member. I thank my students and colleagues who recommended and
considered me for this award.
Bilkent News Welcomes Feedback From Readers.
This newsletter will print letters received from readers.
Please submit your letters to bilnews@bilkent.edu.tr
or to the Communications Unit, Engineering Building, room EG-23, ext. 1487.
The Editorial Board will review the letters and print according to available space.
Asst. Prof.
Aslıhan Altay Salih / Department of Management 
Assoc. Prof. Ali
Sinan Sertöz / Department of Mathematics 