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EMU 3rd Ali Karasel Secondary School Mathematics Competition Awards Ceremony was Held

Organized by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Mathematics, 3rd Ali Karasel Secondary School Mathematics Competition Awards Ceremony was held at the Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall with a huge turnout. This year’s competition featuring 126 students from 21 different schools was organized in two main categories; individual and team.

 

The ceremony was attended by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu and Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, Dean of EMU Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özarslan, Chair of EMU Department of Mathematics Prof. Dr. Nazım Mahmudov, EMU Academic Affairs Coordinator Assist. Prof. Dr. Nidai Şemi, EMU International, TR and TRNC Promotion Coordinator Murat Aktuğralı, Champion Angels Association Executive Board Members Osman Akın and Esra Özberkman, Fatoş Karasel the spouse of late Ali Karasel who sadly passed away in the 6 February earthquake disaster, his son Kaynak Karasel, his mother Şengül Karasel, his father Kaynak Karasel, his sisters Seide Karasel and Nedime Karasel, late Osman Çetintaş’s parents Betül Çetintaş and Nafi Çetintaş.

 

“Always Be with Mathematics”

Delivering the opening speech of the ceremony, Chair of EMU Department of Mathematics Prof. Dr. Nazım Mahmudov welcomed the participants, stating; “This competition is beyond a knowledge contest, it’s a challenge that calls for thoughtful reflection, analytical thinking, and skill. We are honoured to keep the memory of our esteemed teacher, Ali Karasel, alive through love, respect, and the spirit of mathematics. I sincerely thank all the participants and everyone who contributed to making this event possible. With heartfelt remembrance, I pay tribute to the Champion Angels. May the spirit of mathematics always be with you”.

 

“An Educator Who Devoted His Life to Numbers, Equations and His Students”

Nedime Karasel, sister of the late Ali Karasel, shared her emotions during the speech, saying; “Today, we come together for the 3rd Ali Karasel Secondary School Mathematics Competition Award Ceremony, held in memory of our cherished mathematics teacher Ali Karasel, who was lost in the tragic 6 February earthquake that deeply affected us all. Ali Karasel devoted his life to numbers, equations, and his students. To him, mathematics was far more than an abstract science; it was the key to understanding the universe’s mysteries, cultivating logical reasoning, and developing an analytical mind-set. His passion for teaching profoundly inspired his students. He did not simply deliver lessons but helped his students unlock their potential, gain confidence, and become inquisitive individuals ready to embrace life. His classes imparted not only mathematical knowledge but also invaluable life lessons. Every student participating in today’s meaningful competition, hosted by EMU, is a testament to the seeds Ali planted. I extend my gratitude to all involved and honour Ali Karasel with love, respect, and heartfelt remembrance”.

 

“Our Goal is to impress upon the Love of Mathematics to the Young Generations”

In his address, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özarslan, Dean of EMU’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, spoke about the important objectives of the competition. He identified one key goal as preserving the memory of the esteemed mathematics educator Ali Karasel, and another as contributing, even in a small way, to the pursuit of justice by the Champion Angels Preservation Association. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Özarslan emphasized the significance of inspiring the younger generation with Ali Karasel’s deep passion for mathematics and his vision. He concluded by expressing his sincere gratitude to all the teachers who uphold this mission and to everyone involved in organizing the event.

 

Ali Karasel and Champion Angels Remembered with Love and Longing

EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç also made remarks, highlighting that the competition is far more than a contest; it aims to unlock the potential of young minds, encourage innovative thinking, and foster a scientific mind-set. Prof. Dr. Kılıç sincerely congratulated all students and teachers who took part and expressed his wish for this meaningful event—organized in honour of the late mathematics teacher Ali Karasel from the Champion Angels Team, who was lost in the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake—to continue in the future. Prof. Dr. Kılıç paid tribute to Ali Karasel and the Champion Angels with deep affection and remembrance. Emphasizing that every investment in education and science secures a brighter tomorrow, Prof. Dr. Kılıç hoped the competition would serve as a source of inspiration for everyone involved.

 

In the ‘Individual’ category, Güzelyurt Turkish Maarif College student Hüsay Şekerli took the first place, followed by Nika Massoudi from Necat British College Nicosia in second, İsmail Eren Midem from Near East Yeniboğaziçi College in third, Kaan Tekgüç from Turkish Maarif College in fourth and lastly, Bora Kaya from TED Northern Cyprus College in fifth place. Special awards for the individual category was also presented; Arhan Artam and Ali Kemal Erkut from Turkish Maarif College were awarded with “Ali Karasel Special Award”, Hyeonbin Song from Oğuz Veli Secondary School with “Osman Çetintaş Special Award”, Asel Bibikoğlu from Güzelyurt Turkish Maarif College with “Champion Angels Special Award” and, Hasan Zekican from Turkish Maarif College with “Department of Mathematics Special Award”.

 

In the ‘Team’ competition, Turkish Maarif College achieved outstanding success by securing first place with the team of Kaan Tekgüç, Arhan Artam, and Ali Kemal Erkut, coached by Seral Yükseler and Semay Soygür. Coming in second was Güzelyurt Turkish Maarif College, whose team—consisting of Hüsay Şekerli, Asel Bibikoğlu, and Gizem Işık Emre—was guided by Özlem Özyönüm Hocaoğlu and Şengül Özeriç. The third position went to İskele Evkaf Turkish Maarif College, led by Mediha Duba and Pınar Baturay. Fourth place was awarded to Necat British College Nicosia, under the leadership of Mehmet Kemal Güven and Mustafa Soygür, while TED Northern Cyprus College, coached by Özde Onar and Esin İmralı, earned fifth place.

 

Special awards were also presented in the ‘Teams’ category: 19 Mayıs Turkish Maarif College (Kaan Demirkan, Ada Lidya Direkli, Esmira Orazgeldiyeva) and Şehit Hüseyin Ruso Secondary School (Güneş Zura, Zerya Dinç, Gökmen Özdenak) teams received the “Ali Karasel Special Award”; Near East Yeniboğaziçi College (İsmail Eren Midem, Mustafa Kemal Ata Aydın, Ivan Yarashevich) was awarded with “Osman Çetintaş Special Award”; Famagusta Turkish Maarif College (Nisan Aykulu, Doruk Sarıgül, Azra Göksan) with “Champion Angels Special Award” and Oğuz Veli Secondary School (Hyeonbin Song, Mustafa Eymen Öztekin, Ali Demir) with “Department of Mathematics Special Award”.

During the awards ceremony held after of the competition, students and schools that placed in the top ranks received their prizes and certificates of participation from EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu, and Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özarslan, Head of the Mathematics Department Prof. Dr. Nazım Mahmudov, and faculty members Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Aktuğlu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pembe Sabancıgil Özder.

 

To conclude the ceremony, Turkish Maarif College, which claimed first place in the team competition for three consecutive years, was honoured with the Ali Karasel Shield. The award was presented to the school principal, Candan Kortay, by Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and Nedime Karasel, representing the Karasel family.