Soma Vocational School bid farewell to its 280 graduates during the 29th Graduation Ceremony. The event, held at the Soma Vocational School Campus, was attended by Soma District Governor Fatih Akkaya, Rector Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar, Soma Mayor Sercan Okur, protocol members, officials from various institutions, families, academic and administrative staff, and students.

The Graduation Ceremony commenced with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a speech from Engin Cömert, the top graduate of the Vocational School, on behalf of the graduates.

Dr. Lecturer Ayla Tekin, Director of Soma Vocational School, in her speech, said, "Before I begin my speech, I want to remember our dear Elvin, whose passing deeply saddened us. She contributed significantly to our graduating students. May she rest in peace, and my condolences to her loved ones.

We are here today to graduate bright young minds, hearts, and spirits who will illuminate the future of the Republic of Turkey with their qualifications, especially in their fields of study, adhering to the fundamental principles of our great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our Republic. We are happy and proud for this reason." She continued, "Dear Students! Today marks a new chapter in your lives. Work for a world where the righteous are strong, not the strong who are righteous. Welcome to the Soma Vocational School family, which you now have the right to be a part of. It is time to take responsibility for your country and yourself. I wish you happiness, health, and success. May your diplomas be the path to your dreams, and may your paths be clear."

Soma Mayor Sercan Okur stated, "You will walk with great faith on the enlightened path that our great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk opened for us. We have full confidence in you. I congratulate you all for the perseverance and determination you have shown at the end of a long and arduous journey. You learn many lessons from life as well as from books during your university years. The future will be shaped by your hands; never stop chasing your dreams. Remember that graduation is not just an end but also the herald of a new beginning. Dear students, may your paths be clear and your luck abundant."

Rector Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar emphasized that Manisa Celal Bayar University is a large family consisting of 15 faculties and 15 Vocational Schools, stating, "We have made an effort to participate in all graduation ceremonies this year. We wanted to come together on this happy day with our students, their families, and our teachers. Today, we are particularly pleased to have our valuable protocol members here in Soma. I would like to thank them for their participation. As Ayla mentioned, we first remember our dear Elvin, who passed away at the beginning of this year, and the 301 miners who lost their lives in the mine collapse 10 years ago. May they rest in peace, and my condolences to their families once again.

And I must mention another issue that has deeply saddened us for about 8 months, the situation in Palestine. We hope for an immediate end to this event, which started in October and has become a genocide and human atrocity. We curse and condemn the events in Gaza and Rafah, where about 20,000 children and tens of thousands of people have been killed. We will not forget these images and will ensure they are not forgotten."

Highlighting that they train equipped graduates for every level of the mining and energy sectors, Rector Prof. Dr. Kibar said, "I want to thank the main architects of our graduates' happiness on this special day. First of all, dear families, you wanted them to become experts in their fields and serve the state. We are graduating them as competent and well-equipped individuals with our esteemed faculty, and we are giving them back to you. You should be immensely proud of them. I thank you for supporting our students throughout their education.

Dear young people, with the diplomas you receive today, you can look to the future with hope and confidence. We are the descendants of a grand and powerful legacy. We believe that you will carry and pass on this heritage to future generations in the best way possible, with the experience and skills you have gained at Soma Vocational School. Never forget your responsibilities to your families, your teachers, and our state, which has the greatest contribution to your happiness today. I wish you health, happiness, peace, and success in your future lives."

Soma District Governor Fatih Akkaya said, "Our new graduates, you will make brand new beginnings. Life is just starting for you. With your free minds, the knowledge and skills you have gained, I hope you will serve yourselves, your future families, and your country well. A diploma is a lot, but it is not everything. If you make a difference with how you adapt to life, the diploma, the school you graduated from, or the city you are in will not matter. You will stand out with what you create, your character, and your hard work. You will be more valuable in the eyes of your superiors and employers than the most prestigious diploma holders."

At the ceremony, achievement certificates were presented to top-ranking students, and graduation certificates were awarded to all graduates. The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the technician's oath and the traditional tossing of graduation caps.