"In the individual category, Maksim Shcharbinin (Necat British College Nicosia) came first in the I. Ali Karasel Secondary School Mathematics Competition organized by the Eastern Mediterranean University, Department of Mathematics with the participation of 272 students from 29 schools in two categories: namely, individual and team.
In the individual category of the competition:
- Maksim Shcharbinin (Necat British College Nicosia) came FIRST,
- Özay Fevzi Uluç (TMK) came SECOND,
- Ege Hamurtekin (Gazimağusa TMK) came THIRD.
In the competition, Tuğra Vurana (TMK) who came fourth was awarded the Ali Karasel Special Prize, Fatih Kerem Erbay (Gazimağusa TMK who came fifth was awarded the Osman Çetintaş Special Prize, Su Gök (TMK) obtained the sixth place and was awarded the Champion Angels Special Prize.
In the team competition:
- Turkish Maarif College team, consisting of Özay Fevzi Uluç, Tuğra Vurana, and Su Gök under the supervision of Sadiye Öksüzoğulları and Semay Soygür, came FIRST.
- Famagusta Turkish Maarif College team, consisting of Ege Hamurtekin, Fatih Kerem Erbay, and Nazra Öztüren under the supervision of Değer Eşrefoğlu and Emine Özergin, came SECOND.
- Necat British College Nicosia team, consisting of Maksim Shcharbinin, Demir Soyalp, and Ali Babagirav under the supervision of Mustafa Soygür and Sabire Gazivoda, came THIRD.
In the competition,
• Students of 19 May Turkish Maarif College, namely, Selin Tüfekci, İrem Sarıbaş, and Rüzgar Dinler, under the supervision of Sena Kutlu and Gülcem Bullici, won the 'Ali Karasel Special Award.'
Those who came fifth:
- Değirmenlik High School Students who came fifth, namely, Zalihe Gezdigeldi, Yağmur Şahin, and Sonuç Gezdigeldi, under the supervision of Fatma Yanık Ellidört and Lütfiye Tamel, won the 'Osman Çetintaş Special Award.'
- And those who came sixth, namely Yiğit Çağan Yüksel, Yaşar Özuğurlu, and Gözde Leyla Gün, from Güzelyurt Turkish Maarif College, under the supervision of Şengül Özeriç and Sabiha Garabli, won the 'Champion Angels Special Award.'
During the award ceremony held after the competition, Prof. Dr. Nazim Mahmudov, the Head of the Mathematics Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences welcomed everyone and emphasized that they are planning to hold the Ali Karasel 1st Inter-School Mathematics Competition every year. Prof. Dr. Mahmudov also expressed his condolences to the families of those who had lost their lives, and reminded everyone that Ali Karasel was a former graduate of EMU. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Mahmudov also thanked those who contributed to the organization of the competition.
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Ozarslan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to the organization of the competition and stated that they would undertake a new mission to keep the memory of Ali Karasel and the Champion Angels alive through making the competition a tradition every year. Prof. Dr. Ozarslan congratulated all the students who participated and succeeded in the competition.
Nedime Karasel, Ali Karasel's sister, gave a speech on behalf of the Karasel family, thanking everyone who had supported them since the earthquake disaster and those who had contributed to the organization of the competition. After her speech, a video presentation that featured Ali Karasel's students talking about him was screened.
In his speech, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın emphasized that the loss of the Champion Angels and their teachers had led everyone to an indescribable pain, and stated that EMU would continue to organize such events to keep the memories of Ali Karasel and the Champion Angels alive. Prof. Dr. Hocanın also underlined that EMU would always be a follower of justice, and expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to the organization of the competition.
The Ministry of National Education, General Secondary Education Director Cengiz Topel Uzun, stated that mathematics is not very popular in Turkish society, and emphasized the importance of making math enjoyable. Uzun also highlighted Ali Karasel as one of the teachers who make math enjoyable. Topel stated that these types of competitions help increase self-confidence, and emotional moments were experienced when the commemoration activities and the competition merged. Topel expressed his condolences to the families of those who passed away and congratulated successful students and hardworking teachers, emphasizing that they will continue to support these types of events.
EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, who stated that he has known Ali Karasel and his family for a long time, described the competition as an example of gratitude. Dr. Özcenk welcomed everyone for their participation and emphasized that these types of events will continue forever.
Following the speeches, plaques were presented to the schools by EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, General Secondary Education Director Cengiz Uzun, EMU Vıce Rectors Prof. Dr. Hasan Demirel and Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Aktuğlu, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özarslan, Ali Karasel and Osman Çetintaş's families, and the members of the "Champion Angels Association" Executive Board members at the ceremony.
