Dear Friends,

A scientist tries to reach endless depths tirelessly, acknowledges that the obtained results are reliable only for a while, doesn't settle with these results, and focuses on producing more.

Nowadays, it is getting harder to keep information under someone's control, and within this framework, knowledge gains an international character. If we want to be effective in increasing our country's welfare and humanity, we have to keep up with the world's change and, more importantly, to produce value.

We can preserve the basic principles of our beliefs and culture as a society while creating value and following change and development. There is an obvious need to take the different, the good, and the productive while abandoning the inefficient. While doing this, we should not overlook the shortcomings, failures, and mistakes of the past. There is a close relationship between scientific and social developments. The intense discussions on the country's economy, environment, culture, and social and political issues can be considered evidence for its health.

Digitalization is defined as the fourth phase of the industrial revolution. Digital technology, which has entered all areas of life in recent years, has a profound and broad transformation effect on all sectors. These developments have caused changes in peoples and institutional structures previous preferences within financial, economic, and social life.

Especially in recent years, product designs have begun to be supported by digital technology, and this has also provided ample opportunities for product development and the creation of new sectors. The intensity of the experienced competition shows that the institutions face significant difficulties in achieving their strategic goals.

As a result of the emergence and widespread use of digital technology, significant changes have been experienced in socio-technical structures such as new urbanization structures, the formation of high living standards, and civil society structures. Various dynamic social structures have been formed with the mobilization of static life. Among these are the virtual non-governmental organizations' formation by millions of people who have never seen each other and the producer and customer relations with no physical contact. As a result, keeping up with this era can be achieved by training qualified and valuable human resources, such as our young friends who are here today, who can understand the processes mentioned above and produce value appropriately.

If a country cannot produce value, it is a disgrace of friendly countries and the number one candidate to become the mascara of countries eager for hegemonic order. This situation can be seen in some countries in Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans, especially our neighbors. It will be possible for our country not to fall into these countries' situation with our valuable young people who can produce value like you.

Dear Friends,

As Mevlana Celalettin-i Rumi said,

In generosity and helping others be like a river.
In compassion and grace be like the sun.
In concealing others’ faults be like the night.
In anger and fury be like the dead.
In modesty and humility be like earth.
In tolerance be like the sea.
Either appear as you are or be as you look.

Best Regards,
Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul KARAÇUHA
Informatics Institute Director