Bilkent Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Women's Day
with Woman Composer, Conductor and Soloists
The Bilkent Symphony celebrated International Women's Day last week with a concert on March 10 featuring a work by a woman composer, women soloists and a well-known woman conductor.
The concert opened with Anu Tali conducting a piece by young Turkish composer Füsun Köksal. This recent work by Ms. Köksal, herself a Bilkent graduate and former faculty member, won an award at the prestigious Henri Dutilleux international composition competition. The piece, titled "Moire," for two pianos and ensemble, was interpreted by the Bilkent Ensemble, made up of members of the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra and faculty members of the Department of Music. With the Bilkent Ensemble having performed a concert featuring works of contemporary Turkish composers at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival last July, Ms. Köksal's "Moire" was perfectly suited to the talents brought together for the concert.
Twin pianists Ferhan and Ferzan Önder performed as soloists in the next piece of the program, Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos. Interestingly, Maestra Tali is also a twin, her sister being Kadri Tali, one of today's best-known Estonian composers. Anu Tali, founding conductor of the Nordic Symphony Orchestra, is recognized for her championing of contemporary works. Under her baton the concert finished with a more frequently heard twentieth-century work, Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Suite.
Tuition for the 2012-2013 Academic Year Announced
Prof. Orhan Aytür, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, has stated that the Board of Trustees has set the tuition rates for the upcoming academic year. They are as follows:
For Turkish students admitted to Bilkent in years 2005 to 2012, tuition will be 20,800 TL. This corresponds to a 8.9% increase over the previous academic year.
For those admitted in 2004, tuition will be $11,200; for those admitted in 2001, 2002 and 2003, it will be $9,560.
Tuition for all international students will be $13,950.
All of the fees above include 8% VAT. Tuition is payable in two installments to be made before the registration date of each semester.
Prof. Aytür also indicated that for full information on tuition rates, other fees (such as dormitory costs and summer school) and detailed payment schedules, students can consult the Bilkent website at http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/bilkent/admission/fees/.
44 Firms to Offer Jobs, Internships at Career Fair
This year's Career Fair will take place on Thursday, March 15 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the Main Sports Hall. Bilkent students will have the opportunity to meet representatives from different companies and learn about their recruitment policies.
This is a perfect chance for Bilkenters to get a better idea of what their future may look like by talking directly to executives and employees from a variety of large companies. If you are looking for an internship, this event is an excellent place to explore possibilities.
Profiles for all of the companies taking part in this year's Career Fair are included in this week's insert.
Determination, Honor, Key to Personal Development, Says Uğur Dündar
As part of the Career Center's Personal Development Days, well-known journalist and anchorman Uğur Dündar visited Bilkent University on March 9. Referring to the fact that his talk had been postponed due to last week's heavy snow, he stated that he was pleased to share his experiences with the Bilkent community.
Addressing a large audience, he touched on a number of subjects, including his experiences with Kemal Sunal and Müjdat Gezen. He also talked about some of the news stories that had earned him his reputation, such as the reporting he did on
corruption, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and gambling. He also, half in jest, responded to the criticism he had received regarding news stories about insanitary conditions at food processing plants.
Mr. Dündar particularly focused on the investigative journalism he has engaged in and the positive results he has obtained, such as improvement of conditions at hospitals, enforcement of green/red prescription laws and the reinvigoration of the poultry sector after the bird flu panic of 2009. He said that although he has received death threats, he has never backed down, emphasizing the importance of determination to overcome obstacles.
His concluding remarks similarly had reference to the theme of personal development. Honor and dignity, said Mr. Dündar, are of greater importance than material gains, namely money. He also cautioned that because people are not able to make accurate predictions about the future, they should act prudently and remain untainted.