Prof. İhsan Doğramacı Honored by Republic of Iraq Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Bilkent University Rector Prof. Ali Doğramacı accepted an award on behalf of his father, Prof. İhsan Doğramacı, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of Bilkent University, from Prof. Dr. Abd Thiab Al-Ajeeli, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Republic of Iraq, in a ceremony held on Friday, January 29, at the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Ankara. The laureate is currently undergoing treatment at Hacettepe University Hospital.
Prof. Doğramacı was given the Decoration of Higher Education in Iraq together with a "Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his distinguished scientific efforts and outstanding performance and lasting contributions, and in recognition of scholarly extraordinary quality, endurance, and significant contributions to higher education and development in Iraq."
During the ceremony, the Minister emphasized the relations between Turkey and Iraq and said: "Turkey has always offered to Iraqi Higher Education the utmost support and consideration. Turkey has supplied Iraqi Universities with equipment and facilities, and has given the opportunity to Iraqi scholars to train and study in Turkish Universities." He added that, "It is with the utmost pleasure that I am presenting the Decoration of Higher Education in Iraq together with the Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of Prof. Doğramacı's position in our hearts and minds to be an indication for our ever continuing cooperation and brotherhood ties."
Dr. Ahmed Zewail Visits Bilkent
 Dr. Ahmed Zewail, one of the three "science envoys" appointed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, visited Bilkent on Friday, January 15. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara stated that Dr. Zewail would pay a visit to Turkey during his tour to four countries to develop cooperation opportunities in science and technology.
During his three-day visit to Turkey, Dr. Zewail held meetings with high-level officials and also visited The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) as well as Bilkent University and METU in Ankara.
In his visit Dr. Zewail underlined the importance of the young people in the country and stated that, "Now we are living in the modern world. Young people are under the impression that it is much easier to choose professions that make money. Science requires real commitment and hard work, but the rewards are enormous. My advice to young people is to seek more knowledge, to look at the long term. Acquiring knowledge is probably the most valuable thing since it is a good career, ultimately."
Dr. Zewail also gave advice on using the Internet more efficiently. He said, "We can't go back in time, obviously.
I complain even to my children that they are using the Internet too much. However, I always tell them there is a fundamental difference between looking at all kinds of information and trying to look at useful information. There is a huge difference between significant information and just an average way of accumulating everything, going one browser to the other to see different things. So the key in our education is not to censor the Internet, Wikipedia, or Myspace, but is to keep it open to the public. The real question is how to obtain useful knowledge. That's the responsibility of the family at home and in schools."
Dr. Zewail is an Egyptian-American scientist, and the winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on femtochemistry. He is the Linus Pauling Chair Professor Chemistry and Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology.
2010 Starts with a Bang at the Bilkent Concert Hall
The tradition of holding tremendous concerts featuring world class musicians in the Bilkent Concert Hall continues throughout the month of February. If you haven't been to a concert yet, there is no better time than a crisp winter evening in a fresh year to head out to the warmth and comfort of such an impressive concert hall. If you are a regular visitor, then you will not find yourself disappointed with what is in store for you in early 2010. To find out more on upcoming events, and to get tickets, call ext. 2280 or 1775.
Upcoming concerts
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Satuk Buğra Ercilasun Passes Away, January 20, 2010
 Satuk Buğra Ercilasun
(CTP/97), computer specialist at the Publications Office passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2010.
Ercilasun was born in İstanbul in 1969. After graduating from the Department of Computer Technology and Programming in 1997, he joined the same department as an administrative specialist. Ercilasun worked as a computer specialist at the Publications Unit from 1999 until his untimely death.
Funeral services for Ercilasun were held on Friday, January 22, 2010, at Kocatepe Mosque.
We wish to extend our condolences to Ercilasun family, his colleagues and Bilkent community.
He will be sadly missed not only by his family, but also by his friends and members of the Bilkent community.
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