Erzurum Technical University (ETU) Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak published a message on the occasion of the Acceptance of the March 12 National Anthem and the Commemoration Day of Mehmet Akif Ersoy. Rector Bülent Çakmak included the following statements in his message;

The concept of nation is used to describe human communities that have adopted common geography around the same common ideals. In order for a community to become a nation, other values with symbolic characteristics are also needed. National anthems, one of these values, are founding texts that feed from the common memory and collective subconscious of the nation. The historical adventure of the nation, ideals of independence, struggles, and future visions are reflected in these texts. When we look at the writing processes of the national anthems, it is seen that each of them is manifestos of a nation's war against captivity and exploitation. In this sense, the "Independence March" written by Mehmet Akif Ersoy is one of the most influential manifestos in world history. The whole spirit of the historical response of the Turkish nation to captivity, exploitation, and destruction is reflected in the magnificent lines of the Turkish National Anthem. The Independence Anthem is also a founding text that determines the future vision of the Turkish nation, it is the deed of the Turkish nation. On this occasion, I commemorate Mehmet Akif Ersoy with gratitude and bow respectfully in the spiritual presence of our cherished martyrs.