ODTU GELECEGIMIZ FUND-TOUCH THE LIFE OF SOMEBODY

The ODTU Our Future Fund closed 2025 by collecting 900,000 USD in donations and exceeding its budget target by 45%. The target for 2026 is 1 million USD. We would like to thank our donors who have supported our fund and we believe that we will reach and surpass this goal with their support.
The latest in a series of now classic alumni-scholarship recipient meetings was held on campus between December 21-25.The event featured 32 guest speakers and approximately 1000 scholarship recipients. Our speakers shared their valuable experiences and knowledge with the students, answering their questions. Some speakers also became mentors for our scholarship recipients upon their request. TEV General Manager Miss Banu Taskn, METU Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlgil, and Student Dean Dr. Taner Zorbay also attended the meetings.

Mr Burak Gürkan, CEO of Grundfos Asia-Africa, distributed laptops provided by his company to our scholarship recipients who needed them.
Our alumnus and donor, Dr. Hakk Yldrmaz, signed and gifted his book, "Give Life Its Due," dedicated to the fund's founder, Arif Aygündüz, to the scholarship recipients. Hakk Yldrmaz donated the proceeds from the sale of the book to our fund.
Plaques were presented by Arif Aygündüz to Sedat Zencirci, Tansel Okay, and Didem Eroglu Alptürk, who have been making regular monthly donations to our fund for 15 years.

The first meeting of 2026 will be held again at the METU Campus on April 13-16. Furthermore,Mr. Arif Aygündüz, the founder and volunteer of the fund, will be traveling to the UAE at the end of this month to meet with alumni living there, at the invitation of the Consul General of Dubai, Mr.Onur Saylan, and the President of the UAE METU Community, Mr.Ali Ruhi Alsancak. You will find news and photos in the next report.