Goodbye Eskişehir

I borrowed this title from a book written by Mediha Kayra, the sister of the famous former Minister of Energy, intellectual of the century, and Cahit Kayra, who recently passed away at the age of 103.

Goodbye Trabzon.

It tells the story of the First World War, her childhood in Trabzon during the Russian occupation and bombardment, the atmosphere of the occupation, and the "forced migration" that led to Galatasaray High School.

I, too, was a forced migrant from Trabzon to Eskişehir.

In 1998.

Upon returning from America.

While I couldn't find a faculty position at the university in the city where I was born, I found a position in a city I had visited for the first time in my life and where I didn't know a single person, with a salary three times higher, just by submitting my resume.

Dozens of others like me found one too.

The fact that a visionary, highly equipped, and intellectual academic like Prof. Dr. Engin Ataç became rector changed the direction of Anadolu University.

It transitioned into a growth period.

Instead of the mediocre children of the city's notables—I even encountered some with intellectual disabilities—he brought scientists to the city who had truly worked hard and were focused on their goals.

He provided every kind of opportunity.

It became quite successful by Turkey's standards, so much so that the professors who left are making a difference at the universities they moved to.

There is much to be said about the rectors who came after Engin Hoca, but I am not sure if it is necessary.

Since no one greets them or calls to ask after them, we can say it is not necessary.

Anadolu University, which completed its Founding Period with Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen, reached its peak with Prof. Dr. Engin Ataç.

But what followed is a classic Turkish story.

An institution collapsing thanks to the sycophants of every era.

Although the resisting segment was the vast majority, those who infiltrated and the opportunists of every era accelerated the collapse process. Especially the native children of Eskişehir acted more actively and willingly in this process, and for small positions and perks not even worth stooping for.

Let us also write here, without forgetting, the "yes, but not enough" supporters who were the first to be kicked out later.

As for those who seized our positions in the city where we were born, they were pushed out of the system years later, in accordance with the principle of elasto-plastic movement.

The "hocaefendi" they buried according to infidel law and thought had powerful breath did not turn out as they expected.

It resembled the rain prayer story in Şener Şen's movie Züğürt Ağa.

Anyway, that is a separate topic.

It has been 27 years.

It passed in the blink of an eye.

When I got close to the colors of my childhood, time seemed to stop.

Eti biscuits, Erden candies, Open Education courses and Zülal Balpınar Hoca, the Red Lightnings (Kırmızı Şimşekler) and their famous striker who recently passed away, Prof. Dr. Fethi Heper.

I conducted academic work systematically and task-oriented, without experiencing the slightest problem.

I worked in a sterile research environment where the micro-nationalism encountered in other Anatolian cities did not exist.

Following that, a position at the forefront internationally according to mathematical data.

Hundreds of citations received from professors in America.

References for a book published at the world-leading Massachusetts university.

Million-euro European Union Research Funds.

Books, documentaries, and many more original works.

Until the Pennsylvanians infiltrated the system, turned it upside down, and collapsed the infrastructure.

After July 15, although most were dismissed from public service, Anadolu University could not return to its old days.

Many of its professors chose to leave.

They bought small apartments in Istanbul and Ankara and set up bachelor pads.

Although the high-speed train was a catalyst in this separation process, the inability to establish a foundation university in Eskişehir accelerated this migration.

Their names are mentioned in many universities in Istanbul and Ankara.

Some have become department heads, some deans, and some institute directors.

Soon we will see one appointed as a rector.

The experience they gained thanks to Eskişehir's generous resources will be transformed into added value not for Eskişehir, but for Istanbul.

Many academics who grew up with Eskişehir's resources will now sweat for the "Der Saadet" (Istanbul).