A Historic Academic Opening at Our University: Our Nobel Prize-winning chemist, Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar, Unveiled His New Discovery on DNA Repair During Our Inaugural Lecture

Our university’s 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony took place with the honorary presence of Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar—a source of pride for our country—who delivered the opening lecture, during which he shared his latest research findings with the public for the first time.

The event, held on Tuesday, October 20, at our university’s Mediterranean Cultural Center, was attended by Mersin Governor Atilla Toros, our Rector Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, provincial officials, our faculty members, students, and citizens.

The program began with a moment of silence in honor of the founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, our beloved martyrs, and all scientists who have passed away, followed by the recitation of the National Anthem; a short video showcasing our University’s development over the past four years was then screened.

This was followed by a special musical performance by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Betül Yarar Koçer and Lecturer Malak Baygozhin Gojayeva from our University’s Faculty of Music and Performing Arts. After the performance, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, presented flowers to our faculty members.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar Unveiled His New Research for the First Time at Our University

Taking the podium, 2015 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar delivered the first lecture of the academic year titled “DNA Repair by Dual Incisions in the Three Kingdoms of Life.” In this special presentation, Prof. Dr. Sancar shared the results of his new research—which is set to make a major impact in the scientific community—with the public for the first time at our university.

Noting that living organisms are classified into three main kingdoms—“Bacteria,” “Eukaryotes,” and “Archaea” (Archaea), Prof. Dr. Sancar noted that while the “nucleotide excision repair” mechanism—which repairs DNA damage caused by UV radiation—is well understood in bacteria and eukaryotes, it has remained a mystery in Archaea, the “Third Kingdom,” until now. Prof. Dr. Sancar explained that in their new study on the archaeon species Thermococcus kodakarensis, they discovered how Archaea repair DNA damage. Noting that in bacteria and eukaryotes, the break at the 5’ end is farther away, whereas in Archaea, the break at the 3’ end is farther away, Sancar emphasized that this finding demonstrates that the double-strand break repair mechanism evolved independently across the three domains of life.

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar: “We Continue on Our Path Toward Becoming a Research University”

Delivering the opening address in which he shared our university’s vision and goals for the new academic year, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, stated that the university was experiencing one of its historic moments, noting that today we are not only feeling the excitement of beginning a new academic year but also; but also the unique honor of hosting our Nobel Prize-winning pride and esteemed professor, Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar, who has etched the name of the Turkish people in gold letters across the world through his determination, intellect, and love for his country.

Noting that they are reaping the fruits of projects implemented with the vision of becoming a research university, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, said, “With the strategic steps we have taken recently, we have increased our international publication rate to 75 percent. For the first time in our history, we have achieved the distinction of ranking among the ‘top 1,000’ in the world’s most prestigious university rankings. Through their hard work in our libraries and laboratories, our students set a record by securing 177 TÜBİTAK projects in 2025 alone; they also earned our institution the title of the 6th university with the most awards at TEKNOFEST. “We, too, are not letting our students’ efforts go unrewarded. We are improving our physical facilities and expanding our social and cultural opportunities to ensure they have access to a high-quality education,” he said.

“We Are Working Tirelessly to Advance Our University in Every Area”

Speaking about our university’s physical investments, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, stated, “With the support of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we have equipped our Medical Faculty Hospital—the region’s healthcare hub—with state-of-the-art imaging and operating room equipment through a budget exceeding 1 billion TL. We have opened our modern Dental Hospital, with a capacity of 178 units, to serve our community. Furthermore, we have completed our Faculty of Maritime Sciences—valued at 650 million TL and equipped with Turkey’s most advanced simulation facilities and wave pool—to train the seafarers of the future. We laid the foundation for the new building of our Faculty of Pharmacy. God willing, we will soon celebrate the opening of the new building for our Faculty of Theology together. Furthermore, we will lay the foundation for our hospital’s annex before the end of the year. As Mersin University, we have not compromised on our “Sustainable and Green Campus” principle while implementing all these investments. Thanks to the solar power plants we established with World Bank funding, we have built an eco-friendly campus model that generates its own clean energy. These investments have led us to the achievement of being ranked as the 139th greenest university in the world and the 13th in Turkey,” he said.

“We Want You to Work Hard, Drawing Inspiration from Our Professor, Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar”

Addressing our students, who had the opportunity to listen to Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar at the start of the new academic year, Prof. Dr. Yaşar said, “Today, you are opening the doors to a brand-new academic year that lies before you. How fortunate you are that, as you take this exciting step, you will have the honor of listening to Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar, a Nobel laureate scientist who is a source of pride not only for our country but for the entire world. Our professor’s story shows us that working with passion, faith, and patience—without giving up on your dreams—will inevitably lead to success. I am fully confident that, inspired by him, you will write your own success stories. My greatest wish for you in this new academic year is that you wear out the doors of libraries and laboratories, never be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes, and work very hard. We, too, will continue to stand behind you with all our resources and our faculty members.”

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, concluded his speech by thanking Mersin Governor Atilla Toros—who played a major role in facilitating the visit of Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar to our university—as well as the members of the protocol and our distinguished guests.

Mersin Governor Toros: “Let Your Efforts Be as Great as Your Dreams”

Addressing the attendees at the ceremony, Mersin Governor Atilla Toros expressed that it was a great honor to host Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar in Mersin—a man who has dedicated his life to science and broadened humanity’s horizons with his groundbreaking work. Emphasizing that Sancar’s journey—which began in the Savur district of Mardin and culminated in the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry—is the finest symbol of perseverance, work ethic, and love for one’s homeland, Governor Toros noted that this unique success story serves as a guide for all young people.

Noting that having such a distinguished scientist deliver our university’s opening lecture for the 2026–2027 academic year holds profound significance, Governor Toros expressed his belief that the young people in the audience could join the ranks of future Nobel laureates through the inspiration they gain from this gathering.

Reminding the young people of Prof. Dr. Sancar’s words, “It is hard work that sets us apart from one another; I believe in hard work,” Governor Toros concluded his speech by saying, “Our esteemed Professor Aziz Sancar has reminded us all of a great truth: Science is in the very fabric of this land, and this nation’s history is filled with countless achievements. Today, his success story tells you this: No matter how big your dreams are, let your hard work be just as great. Under the strong leadership of our President, as we march resolutely toward our ‘Century of Turkey’ goals, you are our greatest strength and hope. With your knowledge, hard work, and courage, you will shape the future of our country.”

Our Advanced Technology Education, Research, and Application Center Has Been Named After Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar

Following Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar’s visionary scientific presentation, a special decision adopted by our University Senate was announced at the ceremony. To ensure that the name of our esteemed professor, who has made unique contributions to humanity through his scientific work, is forever remembered, the name of the “Advanced Technology Education, Research, and Application Center” operating within our university has been changed to the “Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar Advanced Technology Education, Research, and Application Center.”

At the conclusion of the program, Mersin Governor Atilla Toros and our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, presented Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar with a commemorative gift. The special charcoal drawing presented to Prof. Dr. Sancar was created by Prof. Metin Şen and Lecturer Serkan Günenç, faculty members of our University’s Faculty of Fine Arts.

The ceremony concluded with a group photo featuring protocol members, Senate members, faculty, and students.

Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar Visits the Advanced Technology Education, Research, and Application Center

Following the opening ceremony, Mersin Governor Atilla Toros, our Rector Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, and our Nobel Prize-winning scientist Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar paid a special visit to the “Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar Advanced Technology Education, Research, and Application Center,” which was renamed in his honor by a decision of our University Senate.

The delegation toured the center in detail, learning about the well-equipped laboratories, technological infrastructure, and current scientific research being conducted there. The visit was commemorated with a group photo taken in front of the center.

Press and Public Relations Department