Karabük University club president addresses HIV and HPV allegations: 'Karabük is a small place, if there were a problem, it would be heard'

Kübra KARASU- 12punto.com.tr

It had been alleged that at Karabük University, where approximately 12 thousand foreign students from 101 different countries are enrolled, the number of African students exceeded the number of Turkish students and that these students were transmitting HPV and HIV to others.

Following these claims, many other allegations were brought to the agenda.

Speaking to 12punto, the university's International Relations Club President Batuhan Atalı responded to the allegations.

“KARABÜK IS A SMALL PLACE, IF THERE WERE A PROBLEM, IT WOULD BE HEARD”

Regarding the allegations at the school, Atalı replied, “I personally have never heard of these events before, nor have I received any word through indirect channels. It is thought-provoking that such events are being shared all of a sudden. Karabük is a small place; if there were a problem, it would be heard immediately.”

While Atalı stated that he had not heard the allegations himself, he answered "of course" when asked if the claims had caused astonishment among the students.

“IT COULD BE A PROVOCATION”

Atalı emphasized that the sudden emergence of these events is thought-provoking, stating, “These allegations could be a provocation, or they could be intended to create deliberate confusion among students. The necessary statements have been made by official institutions, and they will be made again if deemed necessary.”

“THE NECESSARY VACCINATIONS ARE GIVEN TO STUDENTS”

Atalı responded to the allegations that foreign students were transmitting HPV and HIV as follows:

“Students who come here undergo health tests. The necessary vaccinations are also administered. Do you think that if such an event existed in terms of health, it could be easily ignored? Wouldn't the necessary statements be made by the university, and wouldn't the necessary precautions be taken?”

“WE MUST ALSO THINK OF THEM”

Stating that the right thing to do is to act without harming foreign students, Atalı said, “As you know, we have foreign friends both as a department and as a club. In such an event, we must also think of them; the right thing to do is to act without harming them.”

“A CONTINUING SITUATION”

Regarding the fact that the number of foreign students at Karabük University is higher than at other universities equivalent to it, Atalı said the following:

“To be honest, I have no comment. Because this is a situation that has been continuing from previous years.”

“BECAUSE MANY OF OUR FRIENDS ACTED ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT WITH NATIONALIST SENTIMENTS…”

Finally, Atalı noted the following:

“We represent many student friends here. After all, there are those who come here to study far from their families, and many of our friends cannot follow an impartial and correct path because they generally act on the spur of the moment with extreme nationalist sentiments. But we, together with our board of directors, are trying to overcome this situation by approaching it as fairly and justly as possible.”

News Source: Kübra Karasu