The esteemed family of EMU Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Ömer Can Akman, who has recently passed away, funded three new laboratories in memory of their late son. The inauguration of said laboratories took place at Electrical and Electronics Engineering Building at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, 27 June 2019. Akman family donated 32 analog and digital training sets, 10 digital osiloscopes and 20 multimeters to the Basic Circuit Laboratory, Electronic Laboratory and Logic-Circuit-Design Laboratory. The said laboratories are now named after Ömer Can Akman.
Among those who were present at the said ceremony were Ömer Can Akman’s mother Çiğdem Akman, his father Alper Akman, his sister Cansu Akman, his uncle EMU Civil Engineering Department academic staff member Prof. Dr. Özgür Eren, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Halit Tanju Besler, Vice Rector for Administrative and Technical Affairs Prof. Dr. Naciye Doratlı, Engineering Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department Chair Prof. Dr. Hasan Demirel, Engineering Faculty academic staff members, his friends and technical and administrative staff members.
“Can’s Memory will be Cherished”
Delivering an opening speech at the ceremony, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Prof. Dr. Hasan Demirel provided information on the equipment donated by the late student’s family and the operation of the laboratories. Prof. Dr. Demirel added “We would like extend our gratitude to Ömer Can Akman. Our student is remembered for the importance he attaches to education, his commitment to the department and his helpful personality. I would like to thank to his family, our academic staff who contributed to Can's upbringing, to all his friends and to the administrative personnel who contributed to the organisation of the laboratories. When he first came to our department, Can stood out of the crowd with his curiosity and perfectionist personality. He would always sit at the forefront of the class and ask many questions. He also asked us how he can help us with the ABET accreditation process. If Ömer Can Akman had not attached so much importance to science and education, we would not be here now. His memory will be kept alive with every student who will be studying in these laboratories.
“A Noble and Noteworthy Behavior”
Expressing their happiness regarding the renewal of the laboratories, Ömer Can Akman’s mother Çiğdem Akman put forth that the new equipment was donated by Ömer’s sister, father and herself. Akman also thanked EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam and Electrical and Electronic Department Chair Prof. Dr. Hasan Demirel for their support.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, stated that students will learn the basics of engineering with the donated equipment. Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın also called the family’s behavior as very noble and noteworthy. Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın’s statement reads as follows: “ Can was also a student of mine. He would sit in the front row, listen to the lesson with great interest and ask questions. He said he wanted to become a scientist. He was very sincere and friendly. We are proud to keep his memory alive.
“I Thank the Family”
In a speech of his own, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam put forth that Ömer Can Akman left a serious trace in EMU and went on to state that “From time to time, we lose students in our university, each of whose passing deeply hurts us. We always wish to be able to send the students back to their families safe and sound. Unfortunately, from time to time such misfortunes can happen. I would like to thank the Akman family for their emotional attachment towards the university and their honorable stance. I think this bond will be a great source of motivation for the students who will study here. I would also like to thank all faculty members. I hope our students make the most of the new equipment. May Can’s soul sleep under the eternal light.”
Following the speeches, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam presented a plaque of appreciation to the family of Ömer Can Akman. On behalf of the family, Can’s mother Çiğdem Akman received the plaque. Then the opening of the laboratories took place with ribbon cutting. The ceremony ended after the attendees’ visiting the laboratories.
