If There Is No Goal, There Is No Future...

These days, registration procedures are underway for students who will be starting university. Consequently, while they are at the stage of beginning their university life, I have the opportunity to meet and talk with many students one-on-one. 

And I am surprised. I am also a bit saddened. To be honest, I cannot be very optimistic about the future of society. 

To build the future, one must set goals. The guarantee of the future for both societies and individuals is related to the goals they set. An individual without a goal, and a society without a goal, cannot plan for tomorrow; they live life day-to-day and in the moment, drifting along in the flow of life just like that. 

The life energy of an individual who lives without connecting today to tomorrow, and who has no concern for the future, is limited to the present. They live life in the moment, and their only concern is to get through the day. Living day-to-day and in the moment is, in fact, consuming life rapidly and ending it meaninglessly. The same applies to societies. Societies that cannot establish a vision for the future and do not project for tomorrow can never escape the guidance of societies that have plans, programs, and goals. 

Therefore, the situation is not bright at all for our society. The children and youth of this society cannot set goals, do not project their own futures, and do not determine any vision for the future. At the very least, it is possible to say that this is the case for most of them. It is possible to understand this from the trends that change from year to year in university preferences. We can observe a significant shift toward engineering programs in some years, toward social sciences in others, and toward health sciences in others. For example, while software and computer fields have received great interest over the past few years, the interest of this year's university candidates in health programs is remarkable. Health programs are important, of course, but software and computer engineering fields are also quite compatible with the technological trends of the day and hold promise for the future. Moreover, while our universities are trying to implement education and training policies that encourage digital technological fields, such as artificial intelligence engineering, etc., isn't the constantly changing preference of young people thought-provoking?

They do not believe, they are not convinced, they do not feel safe. 

Turkey is not in a bad position at all in terms of technological developments. On one hand, higher education institutions, and on the other, various ministries, public institutions, and the private sector are carrying out various projects to encourage new technological developments and involve young people in this process, and are trying to develop effective policies in this direction. However, despite all this, we observe that a significant portion of young individuals set their goals toward going abroad and building their futures in other countries. If this is the situation, it means there is a problem somewhere. If there is a disconnect between the policies and projects that the country has implemented or is implementing and the young individuals who are expected to build the future of society, it is necessary to see this and take precautions accordingly. 

On the other hand, we also observe the existence of young people who are completely without goals. Moreover, a large number of young people are in this situation. Most of them are adults, young individuals who have passed the age of eighteen. They come to university registration with their parents, and they register under the pressure of their parents. There is no expression of joy, happiness, or hope on the faces of most of them. If I were to ask if they couldn't get into the department they wanted, that's not it either. There is actually no department they have planned, targeted, or wanted. Their aimless, unhappy walk toward the registration desks behind their parents without knowing what they want really saddens me a lot. 

In my opinion, the problem is not the inadequacy of these young people. But if this is the point they have reached, it means something is being done wrong somewhere. I think we are raising generations without goals, without ideals, and without a connection to the future. Yet, to ensure the future of a society, it is necessary to raise people who have goals and ideals and who pursue them. The continuity of societies can only be ensured in this way. The life energy of both the individual and society is their goals, hopes, and expectations regarding the future. If these have not been formed, or if there is a deprivation in some way, it means there is no energy to plan for tomorrow. 

The problem is serious, and everyone has a share in it. Then, let us realize the trend before it is too late and do what is necessary. The survival of the state, the country, and society is only possible by raising competent generations for the future. Let us not forget this.