The "OMU Respect for Nature Walk", organized by the Rectorate of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) together with the Environmental Problems Application and Research Center within the scope of "World Environment Day", started with a ceremony in front of the Rectorate Building and was completed with the planting of flowers grown by the University and a walk.
The event, which was planned last week but was held on June 8 due to bad weather; Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal, Samsun Provincial Police Chief Dr. Ömer Urhan, Atakum Mayor Cemil Deveci, İlkadım Municipality Deputy Mayor Şerif Mırık, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Cengiz Batuk, Prof. Dr. Fehmi Yazıcı and Prof. Dr. Recep Sancak, General Secretary Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Gençcelep, ÇEVSAM Director Prof. Dr. Yüksel Ardalı, OMU Senate Members, relevant public institution officials, administrative and academic staff and students attended.
**OMU's children showed their environmental awareness with songs and banners.
The event, which started with the demonstration and opening speeches of OMÜ Foundation College kindergarten students drawing attention to environmental awareness and love of nature, ended with a walk from the OMÜ forest path to the Campus Mosque, following the flower planting ceremony held with the protocol members.
OMU Environment Community President and Zero Waste Leader Batuhan Ateşli, who voiced the word of respect for nature on behalf of the students at the event, said, “The focus of our understanding of love for nature is respect for humans and all living things. As an environmental community, we align our goals with sustainable life and sustainable environment.” said.
In his speech, Yıldıray Ortahisar, President of OMU Mountaineering Search and Rescue Society, touched upon the measures to be taken against natural disasters in Turkey, especially earthquakes, and gave information about their work to raise social awareness on this issue, and thanked Rector Prof. for their support. Dr. He thanked Yavuz Ünal.
“Protecting the environment is our responsibility towards our children”
Drawing attention to environmental problems such as drought and climate change in Turkey, Atakum Mayor Cemil Deveci said, “We need to protect our geography. Protecting the environment is our responsibility towards our children and we must be sensitive about this issue. This event organized by our Rector became the voice of OMU's sensitivity on this issue.” he said.
Stating that they aim to raise awareness about the environment through the event, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal said, “Unlike any other place in the city, campuses are laboratories that train the doctors, engineers and politicians of the future. Because here, brains that will shape the future and develop the aesthetic, architectural and philosophical horizons of the future are trained. Therefore, as an educational institution, our ideal is; "To include all our student friends in our work so that they can apply what they have learned here in their professional lives." he said.
“A perspective for the future should be created from today”
Referring to the environmental disaster in the Marmara Sea, Rector Ünal continued: “We need to take a lesson from these events. There is no reason why the environmental problem experienced in Marmara today will not occur in the Black Sea tomorrow. Because we neglected instead of zoning. A perspective for the future should be created starting today, based on World Environment Day. This is now a humanitarian necessity. Each of us must be individuals who will not allow the environment to be polluted. As humans, we consume and we have to consume, but being the owner of any property does not give you the right to pollute that property as you wish. Because this property is a temporary trust given to you and must be protected for future generations.”
“We will develop a living and livable campus”
Rector Prof. also points out that climate change and drought may lead to problems such as climate migration in the future. Dr. Yavuz Ünal: “I would especially like to address our Senate members. We want our Senate to continue to increase its environmental awareness as it represents OMU and is a focal point where OMU's most strategic decisions are made. This University needs to be an example for the whole city. OMU has one of Turkey's rare beautiful campuses. OMU is the most important value produced by Samsun. For this reason, the value produced by Samsun must add value to Samsun. This is our responsibility and since we are in the position of responsibility, we will first develop a living and livable campus. Our main goal will be to attain qualified forests and achieve qualified forest awareness while increasing people's living comfort by touching every point within the campus.” he said.
Providing information about the works carried out to improve the forest and vegetation within the campus and to beautify the campus, Rector Ünal said: "We care about contributing at least to the aesthetic value of the areas in our immediate surroundings, and we expect you to take part in this process." said.
“OMU leads the way in many services and activities”
Stating that universities are the locomotive of cities, Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç said, “OMÜ is the locomotive of Samsun and leads many services and activities. The protocol we signed with OMU a while ago regarding the master's degree and foreign language education of judges and prosecutors has started to be implemented in other provinces as an example for Turkey. Our cooperation with our university will continue not only on this issue, but on every issue. At the end of the sapling planting activity we carried out together with OMU last year, we received a plaque of appreciation from our Regional Directorate of Forestry as the institution that planted the most saplings in our city. I would like to say that hopefully this year we will break a new record and plant the most saplings.” he said.
Noting that OMU is also a pioneer in being sensitive to nature and the environment, Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç stated that they are ready to support the University in every aspect and thanked those who contributed to the organization of the event.
Flowers grown by OMU were brought together with the soil and a walk was held for nature
After the speeches, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal and the accompanying protocol members gave life to the area in front of the Rectorate by planting flowers grown at the University. Then, the "Nature Walk" started from the entrance of the area known as the forest path in the central campus and ended in the green area just below the Campus Mosque, opposite the Observatory.
During the walk, which witnessed pleasant conversations and dialogues, OMU State Conservatory Director Prof. Dr. The songs sung by Ferit Bulut added color to the approximately 2 and a half kilometer walk. Reaching the destination at the end of the walk, participants had the opportunity to rest on floor cushions and chairs, accompanied by dessert, tea and water.
