Erzurum Technical University's (ETU) Faculty of Literature organized a panel titled "Hilmi Ulken on the 50th Anniversary of His Death."

Many academics and students attended the panel to commemorate the philosopher, writer, academic, and scientist Hilmi Ziya Ulken (1901–1974) on the 50th anniversary of his passing, who made great efforts to establish a national tradition of thought in Turkey, and to discuss his contributions to Turkish Thought history.

During the opening speech of the panel held in Prof. Dr. Muammer Yaylalı Conference Hall, Faculty of Literature Dean Prof. Dr. Ugur Akbulut highlighted that Hilmi Ziya Ulken authored significant works on Islamic philosophy, Islamic thought, and contemporary thought, seeing education as the most important way to integrate with the values of the modern world. He especially emphasized Ulken's efforts for university youth to receive education based on democratic thinking. Hilmi Ziya Ülken, who adopted the principle that civilization is a continuous progression, believed that this continuity could be achieved, particularly through translations. Moreover, Hilmi Ziya Ulken, who believed that Turkish consciousness should have scientific and historical foundations rather than being based on sentiment or heroism, showed interest in almost every field of social sciences, leaving researchers a rich resource with his original and translated works.

Following the opening speeches, the panel continued with Prof. Dr. Mehmet Vural from Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Philosophy Department discussing Hilmi Ziya Ulken's contributions to Turkish Thought, Prof. Dr. Ali Utku from Ataturk University Philosophy Department presenting his views on ethics and political philosophy, Prof. Dr. Kemal Bakır from ETU Philosophy Department sharing thoughts on Hilmi Ziya Ulken's educational philosophy, and Assistant Professor Caner Solak from ETU Turkish Language and Literature Department providing information to the audience about Hilmi Ziya Ulken's literary works and thoughts.

Corporate Communication and Promotion Directorate, May 23, 2024