Nobel laureate and Turkish biologist Aziz Sancar mentioned Türkiye will want science in its second century, stressing that, “If we’re sturdy in science, we shall be sturdy in the whole lot.”
Sancar, who made historical past as the primary Turkish scientist to win the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2015, mentioned as he spoke to Anadolu Agency (AA) concerning the a centesimal anniversary of the republic.
He famous his time within the U.S. state of North Carolina, the place he has taught for years.
“My scientific training happened in Türkiye. I realized the scientific methodology in Türkiye. I had distinctive academics from main college to highschool and on the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. During my years of research, the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine was the most effective in Europe.
“That’s why I believe that the Nobel Prize I received was won by (Türkiye’s founder Mustafa Kemal) Atatürk and the republic. For this reason, the Nobel medal is in Anıtkabir (the mausoleum of Atatürk),” he mentioned.
Sancar emphasised that the Nobel Prize represents not solely himself and the Republic of Türkiye, but in addition Turks the world over.
“Our land is not given to us; we take our land. This happened thanks to Atatürk and his comrades. It happened because of their beliefs and the revolutions they made. If it weren’t for him, a scientist from the town of Savur in (southeastern Turkish province of ) Mardin wouldn’t have received a Nobel Prize,” he mentioned.
‘Türkiye rose amongst highly effective international locations’
“In the primary 100 years of the republic, Türkiye has risen to the extent of a strong nation. This was achieved by way of the revolutions and concepts initiated by Atatürk and his comrades.
The Turkish republic has taken vital steps towards offering equal rights for each women and boys. For instance, Türkiye has produced extra feminine physics professors than Germany. Our nation has offered academic alternatives for each the poor and the wealthy greater than some other nation on the earth,” he mentioned.
“While every kind of oppression and injustice are carried out by so-called nice powers all around the world, Türkiye has all the time adopted a peaceable path and tried to defend the rights of the oppressed when mandatory.
“For Türkiye’s second century, we need science the most. We should invest as much in science as we invest in defense. If we are strong in science, we will be strong in everything. This can be seen in the current geopolitical world,” he added.
Emphasis on Turkish unity
Sancar identified that Türkiye has taken necessary steps in reaching Atatürk’s nice best of Turkish unity.
“Atatürk lit that torch, but he couldn’t do anything concrete in the conditions of that time. But he instilled that ideal in the future generations. Now there are significant advances toward achieving Turkish unity. I and my close friends believe in Turkish unity and work towards that goal.”
Aziz Sancar provides an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA) in his laboratory at North Carolina University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S., Oct. 28, 2023. (AA Photo)
‘Don’t waste your time’
Sancar had the next message for younger folks on the a centesimal anniversary of the republic:
“My advice to the new generation is to work hard and not waste your time on fleeting arguments. Focus on the profession you have chosen. Don’t imitate the West; let them imitate us. We have many virtues to be imitated.”
Who is Aziz Sancar?
Born in 1946 in southeastern Mardin province, Sancar was one in every of eight kids in a household with little training. Thanks to his household’s emphasis on training, he was in a position to research in Mardin as much as college.
After finishing his undergraduate at Istanbul University Medical School, Sancar went to the U.S. for a graduate training and obtained a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Texas.
He specialised in DNA restore and cell cycle and, in 2015, he gained the Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with Tomas Lindahl and Paul Modrich for his or her work on DNA restore.
The Daily Sabah Newsletter
Keep updated with what’s occurring in Turkey,
it’s area and the world.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you’re agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This website is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
