On March 30, 1863, five visionary Ottoman intellectuals founded an institution dedicated to the singular mission of “Equal Opportunity in Education.” Today, we proudly celebrated the 163rd anniversary of our Society, nurturing the bright minds of Türkiye through high-quality education, with a commemorative ceremony held at the Darüşşafaka Ayhan Şahenk Hall.
Ebru Arpacı: “Since 1863, this great plane tree has stood as more than just a school; it is the embodiment of equal opportunity, the definition of hope, and the most powerful symbol of solidarity in these lands.”
Hosted by Darüşşafaka students Şeyda Hira K. and Ahmet Miraç E., the ceremony commenced with a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem. Following a screening of the short film “The Shared Story of Thousands of Lives,” Ebru Arpacı, General Manager of Darüşşafaka Educational Institutions, delivered the opening address. She emphasized that Darüşşafaka does not merely educate students; it transforms lives and reshapes destinies. “The true strength of Darüşşafaka lies not in its buildings, its facilities, or even its storied past,” Arpacı stated. “Our greatest strength is our teachers. Being an educator here means more than delivering a lecture; it means serving as a guide, an inspiration, and a pioneer for our students.”
Highlighting 2026 as a year of landmark achievements, Arpacı shared: “In the realm of school sports, we have achieved our greatest success in 25 years. We stood as the only school to represent our city across five different branches and nine distinct categories in Istanbul, earning the title of ‘The Most Successful School in Istanbul School Sports.’ However, the Darüşşafaka spirit extends far beyond athletics. In the arts, our students express themselves through music, performing arts, and visual media, garnering significant acclaim. In science and technology, our robotics initiatives and successes at platforms such as TEKNOFEST and TÜBİTAK demonstrate that our students are not just consumers of knowledge but creators. Every year, our students secure placements at the most prestigious universities in Türkiye and abroad. Through their mastery of foreign languages, they graduate as global citizens, individuals capable of cross-cultural communication, understanding the complexities of the modern world, and making their voices heard on the international stage.”
Oğuz Güleç: “Being a part of this 163-year heritage is both a profound honor and a significant responsibility.”
Following Ms. Arpacı’s address, the ceremony continued with the screening of “A Great Family Living for 163 Years.” Subsequently, Oğuz Güleç, Chairman of the Board of Directors, took the stage to reaffirm the Society’s role as a steadfast champion of conscience, solidarity, and the belief in equal opportunity for over a century and a half, stating: “Under our mission of ‘Equal Opportunity in Education,’ we remain resolutely committed, now as much as ever, to providing a high-quality education to children with limited financial means but boundless dreams. We nurture them to become self-confident, responsible individuals who add value to society. Drawing strength from our past, we stride toward the future with confidence. A primary indicator of this progress is our unwavering commitment to excellence in corporate governance.”
Güleç reminded the audience of the historic achievement in 2025, when the institution’s corporate governance rating rose to an unprecedented 9.94, and noted: “This rating is a powerful testament to our uncompromising application of transparency, accountability, fairness, and responsibility. It reflects our iron will to protect every value entrusted to Darüşşafaka. We recognize that ‘trust’ is our greatest capital. Our most vital duty is to uphold the confidence placed in us by our donors, alumni, parents, and our esteemed nation. This 163-year-old plane tree continues its journey into the future, fueled by its heritage. We believe that as long as there is solidarity, there is hope; as long as there is education, there is a future; and as long as there is Darüşşafaka, there is equal opportunity.”
The ceremony featured a vibrant series of performances, including a stage production titled “All Together” by the Theater Talent Workshop students, which received a standing ovation, followed by an acclaimed dance performance.
The program also included a special screening of the film “The Birthday,” produced by the Darüşşafaka Corporate Communications Department. A poignant highlight followed as the student choir and orchestra performed “Atatürk’s Favorite Songs,” creating a deeply emotional atmosphere for all in attendance.
The 163rd-anniversary celebration concluded on a high note with a spirited rendition of the Darüşşafaka March, sung in unison by the guests, followed by the ceremonial cutting of the anniversary cake.
As guests departed, they had the opportunity to tour the “From Tradition to the Future” exhibition, showcasing an impressive collection of student artwork.