Honorable Prof. Dr. Zafar Gul,
Rector Marmara University,
Excellencies,
Faculty members and students,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Honorary Doctorate in Journalism. It is indeed a great honour which I accepted in all humility.
I am deligted to be included in the list of luminaires who have been awarded honorary doctorates by this great institution. My joy at receiving this honour has increased manifold since I came to know that this University is also the alma mater of my brother, Prime Minister Erdogan.
This institution is renowned for its legacy of producing students who have created a prominent niche for themselves in society. I was very impressed to know that the faculty of economic and administrative sciences is taught in four languages, which makes it the only multi-lingual university in Turkey. With an impressive number of 3000 distinguished faculty members and a student body reaching 60,000 Marmara graduates are seeting new students in important fields like social sciences, engineering, medicine and humanities, and are fully equipped to take on the changing dynamics of the modern world.
Marmara University is unqiue in ecncourging research and scholarship for its students and faculty alike. Besides imparting quality education, it has enabled an environment of understanding and cooperation between peoples and cultures.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Knowledge and innovation are the basic tools for progress and development. These tools are best acquired through education. Modern education is pivotal in propelling socio-economic development. It is equally essential to promote enlightened, tolerance and civic values for harmonious societies and communities.
Change is the only constant. Rapid change is transforming the world and our daily lives. We must not only adopt to change but also be its proponents.
Excellencies,
In Pakistan we attach great importance to education. There is immense scope for establishing close cooperation between the academia and students of our two countries. We should establish collaboration between our major universities and Marmara University for exchange of students and faculty.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Pakistan and Turkey relations are very special. The spontaneous mutual love and affection that is so instructive between our peoples is very unique. It cannot be defined in usual terms of interests or experiences. It is a true sense of brotherhood. It is, as if we are a single family. We value these very special relations and will take them to even greater heights.
I wish to state with a deep sense of satisfaction that my current visit to Turkey has been very productive. I am confident to say that we are well set on the way to translating our goals of shared prosperity and cooperation into concrete reality.
Excellencies,
This singular honor bestowed upon me this afternoon is also a testment to the strong fraternal bonds between our nations. This people driven relationship has withstood the tests of time.
May I take this occasion to wish the Marmara University a great future.
Long live Pakistan-Turkey friendship
Istanbul , December 08, 2010
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