Wittenborg Welcomes Turkish Consul General Muammer Hakan Cengiz on Türkiye's 100th Anniversary 

On the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, Wittenborg had the honour of hosting the Turkish Consul General of Deventer, Muammer Hakan Cengiz, at its campus in Apeldoorn. The event, attended by students and staff on 24 October, was a momentous occasion that celebrated Türkiye's rich history, culture and its evolving role in the global landscape. 
The event commenced with a warm welcome from Peter Birdsall, President of Wittenborg. Birdsall greeted Consul General Cengiz and expressed his admiration for the diplomatic representation in Deventer. In his opening address, Birdsall acknowledged the historic significance of the day, highlighting the recent decision by the United Nations to officially adopt "Türkiye" as the English-language name for the nation. 
 

About Consul General Cengiz

Born in Ankara in 1979, Cengiz's commitment to diplomacy began with his academic pursuits, culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Ankara University in 2002. His illustrious career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye commenced in 2003, where he held various positions. 
Cengiz's roles spanned bilateral affairs with Europe, with a specialisation in critical areas of international cooperation, including energy, water and the environment. His international diplomatic experience included postings in the Turkish Embassy in Ashgabat and The Hague, where he played a pivotal part in fostering diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the Netherlands. Furthermore, he served as the Head of Energy Section at the Foreign Ministry and as a Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy in Ottawa. 
Returning to Ankara, Cengiz assumed the role of the Head of the Energy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before taking up his current position as Turkish Consul General in Deventer in January 2023.

Türkiye's 100-year journey

Cengiz went on to deliver an insightful speech at Wittenborg, shedding light on the significance of Türkiye's 100-year journey.
He commenced by highlighting the historical significance of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923. He described this event as the "birthday of a modern, democratic, pluralistic, and secular country," emphasising that it marked the end of the Great War for Türkiye. Cengiz delved into the global effects of the First World War, citing its far-reaching consequences, including the rise of Hitler and the Balkan civil wars. 

Cengiz also outlined the tumultuous period of Türkiye's struggle for independence, culminating in the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, which laid the foundations of the young republic. He stated, "The Treaty of Lausanne remains the only peace treaty signed after the First World War that is still in force today. This is an outstanding achievement where we are surrounded by conflicts and wars during the past century." 
The Consul General discussed Türkiye's contemporary role in resolving international conflicts, saying, "We are in a tough neighbourhood. We're facing complex challenges, starting with the one between Russia and Ukraine." 

However, Cengiz also conveyed an optimistic message, saying, "The region surrounding Türkiye also brings many advantages, with Istanbul becoming a cultural, economic and commercial hub globally. Istanbul Airport is the biggest air hub in Europe since 2015. Türkiye has the 19th biggest economy in the world with a GDP of more than 900 billion US dollars last year, just one step behind the Netherlands."

Cengiz highlighted Türkiye's rapid economic growth and its leadership in various industries, including aviation, aerospace, ICT, life sciences, agri-food and energy. He noted the country's success in renewable energy, stating, "During the past five years, more than 90% of the newly built power plants in Türkiye were either solar or wind turbines or hydropower plants." 

He further highlighted Türkiye's popularity as a tourist destination, saying, "Turkey was the fourth most popular tourist destination in the world last year, attracting more than 50 million visitors." 

 to the enduring friendship between Türkiye and the Netherlands, saying, "The Netherlands was one of the first countries to sign a Treaty of Friendship with the newly established Türkiye. Next year marks another 100th anniversary, and that is the signing of this Treaty of Friendship between our two countries." 

Cengiz underlined the strong economic ties, the presence of Dutch companies in Türkiye and the significant Dutch-Turkish community. He expressed his hope that this community would continue to contribute to the Netherlands' economic, social and political future. 
 

Wittenborg's international landscape 

In 2023, 25 students represent Türkiye at Wittenborg. One of these students, Sara Akguc, expressed her appreciation for Cengiz's speech. 
"It should be very important for each country to remember and commemorate its own history and the difficulties and victories of the past. I think it makes people realise who they actually are and understand the value of their heritage and the wealth left to them by their ancestors."
Akguc, who is studying for a bachelor's degree in Business Analytics, believes that events like this contribute to cultural exchange and diplomacy on the campus, fostering a sense of understanding and appreciation for different cultures and histories.

WUP 8/11/2023
by Erene Roux
©WUAS Press