- “We must highlight the cultural and historical foundations behind the success achieved by Turkish engineers in the defense industry.”

- “Historical figures such as Ebu Sehl Numan Efendi, who rose from a provincial background to become a distinguished scholar and statesman at the highest levels of government, should continue to serve as role models today.”

- “We are not doing something entirely new; we are building on a tradition we have known for centuries. Just as we succeeded in the past, we are succeeding today.”

- Özvar inaugurated the Ebu Sehl Numan Efendi Research and Application Center at Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University.

President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar stated that Türkiye’s recent achievements in the defense industry cannot be viewed independently of the country’s historical and cultural heritage and emphasized the importance of conveying this success story accurately to younger generations.

June 18, 2026

Erol Özvar attended the opening ceremony of the Ebu Sehl Numan Efendi Research and Application Center, established in Kemaliye at Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University. In his speech, Özvar said: “Today, we must explain the success of Turkish engineers in the defense industry by understanding and conveying the cultural and historical values that underpin it. We have achieved this before. Just as we succeeded in the past, we are succeeding today. We are not doing something entirely new; we are building on a tradition we have long known and mastered.”

Referring to the center’s namesake, Ebu Sehl Numan Efendi, Özvar noted that he was an eighteenth-century scholar and statesman who achieved distinction at the highest levels of government despite being raised far from the imperial center. “In the eighteenth century, centers of learning were not concentrated solely in major cities. Their success was also made possible by institutions in places such as Eğin, far from the capital, that nurtured human talent and contributed to the advancement of knowledge. Historical figures like Ebu Sehl Numan Efendi should continue to inspire us today.”

Özvar stressed that success cannot be achieved through hard work alone. “Success comes not only through effort but also through the cultural and historical values upon which one stands. Just as we succeeded in the past, we will succeed today. Figures such as Ebu Sehl Numan Efendi exemplify how commitment to national identity and moral values can lead to achievement.”

- A Bridge Between History and the Future

Özvar stated that the center would serve as an important institution for highlighting Türkiye’s long-standing legacy in science, technology, and production.

He emphasized the importance of encouraging young people to visit the center and suggested the development of dedicated educational programs for secondary school students, to be implemented on a regular basis each year. According to Özvar, cooperation among Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, the Governorship of Erzincan, the Kemaliye District Governor’s Office, and the Municipality of Kemaliye will enable the center to play a significant role in education and the promotion of cultural heritage.

- “We Support the Specialization of Our Universities”

Özvar emphasized that the Council of Higher Education attaches great importance to universities making stronger contributions to the development of their cities and regions.

He noted that the Council actively promotes progress in research, project development, scientific output, high-quality publications, sustainability, and social responsibility. He also stressed the importance of encouraging universities to differentiate themselves and build on their distinctive strengths. In this context, Özvar highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including the Regional Development-Oriented Specialization Program, the Research Universities Program, and the Priority Scientific Fields Specialization Program.

He expressed his expectation that Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University would develop projects enabling it to participate in both the Priority Scientific Fields Specialization Program and the Regional Development-Oriented Specialization Program. According to Özvar, the university possesses significant potential and will continue to make valuable contributions to Türkiye’s higher education objectives.

- Supporting Research in the History of Science

Özvar explained that the center was established to support research in the history of science, uncover the intellectual sources that shaped Turkish scientific development, and examine the ideas and contributions of prominent scholars.

He described these objectives as highly valuable and noted that the center’s activities would help make the region’s scholarly and cultural heritage more visible. This heritage, supported by rigorous academic research, will be promoted nationally and internationally.

Özvar expressed confidence that the center would serve as a strong bridge between the past and the future, host high-quality scholarship in the history of science, and make meaningful contributions both to the academic development of Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University and to regional development goals.

He concluded by wishing that the center would bring lasting benefits to Erzincan and to Türkiye.

- Rector Levent: “It Will Make Significant Contributions to Academic and Scientific Work”

Speaking at the ceremony, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University Rector Prof. Akın Levent stated that President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar had made important contributions to raising awareness of Ebu Sehl Numan Efendi and bringing his scholarly legacy to light.

Levent noted that the center’s new building, established with the support of the Council of Higher Education, would make significant contributions to academic and scientific research.

Kemaliye District Governor Emirhan Arıkan also addressed the ceremony, emphasizing that knowledge acquires its true value when it is put into practice and shared with others. “From now on, we will be able to guide our visitors through a new destination within our cultural heritage and proudly showcase these values to them,” he said.