Volunteering is a fulfilling activity, especially if you see the end result of all your hard work. Bilkent volunteers gave more than 60 hours of their time this academic year to teach high school students Windows, Excel, Word, and advanced level computer courses such as web page design. Their reward was to witness the high quality of the computer-aided presentations given by their students at the end of the courses.
Last week, the volunteers met with Prof. Ali Doğramacı, Zeynep Köksal, Dean of Students, and Nermin Fenmen, the coordinator of the program and chair of CAA/CAD, for lunch at A la Carte Restaurant. Ali Doğramacı presented a certificate to each student in recognition of their valuable work. The rector said that students had contributed to the fulfillment of one of Bilkent University's mandates: to contribute to society. They are role models, he said, for students who want to teach in a similar program next year.
Ali Doğramacı also expressed appreciation to Nermin Fenmen for her unremitting dedication to the program since its inception.
Following are quotes from some of the volunteer teachers after they received their certificates:
"The best part of the whole program was to go to the high school at the end and see how appreciative the students were," said Hayri Culum (IE/1).
"Even though I had to wake up early every Saturday morning to go and teach, I always came away invigorated. I taught two years in a row. It was great to share something with the students, and it sure was worth it!"
Selim Yazıcıoğlu (CS/IV)
"I really enjoyed helping others without expecting anything in return,"
Alper Tugay Mızrak, (CS/IV)
"It was a pleasure to go there once a week. After teaching several hours, I felt more like a teacher, not a university student!"
Aydın Işık (IR/IV)
"I plan to pursue a career as an engineer, so I never even dreamed of receiving a present on 'Teacher's Day' from students! I just couldn't believe it!"
Onur Karabulut (CS/IV).
