Avni Ongurlar Attends TUSU’s 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Reception

Hafiz Mustafa 1864’s honorary president, Avni Ongurlar, attended TUSU’s 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Reception on October 22, 2026, at the Turkish Embassy residence in London. Ambassador Osman Koray Ertaş hosted the event, organized by the Turkish Student Union of the UK. Turkish students attended from 18 universities.

TUSU’s president, Onur Kovacı, discussed students’ academic needs and preparation for employment as the union entered its twelfth year since its founding in 2014. The reception included awards for student societies and recognition for earlier contributors. In its account, TUSU thanked Turkish Cypriot Deputy Consul İlke Gürdal for attending, along with the diplomatic hosts.

Students’ Education and Career Plans

Ambassador Ertaş told guests that more than 8,000 Turkish passport holders were studying in the country, citing the latest figures. He anticipated further student support through TUSU’s projects. Consul General Hasan Ulusoy reaffirmed consular support for students and TUSU. Dr. Mehmet Karakuş, the London Yunus Emre Institute director and a TUSU trustee, praised the union’s progress since his arrival in 2016 and pledged continued support.

In his address, Kovacı described support extending from new arrivals’ first days to postgraduate academic writing. He discussed graduates’ contact with employers and young people’s connections to Türkiye and Turkish.

Vice President Samet Kolcu presented six areas for the coming year, with academic development and mentoring among the plans. Career preparation would accompany support for student adjustment and well-being. Cultural and social activities would continue, alongside digital communication. Kolcu described a stronger student network across universities, with plans to reach additional institutions. Earlier activities had included academic events and cultural visits. Social gatherings accompanied volunteering projects.

Student Societies and Supporters Receive Recognition

University College London’s Turkish Society received the Most Active Turkish Society award for the 2025–2026 academic year, presented by Ambassador Ertaş. Its president, Emir Deniz Durahim, credited participating members and the committee’s work in a public account following the ceremony.

The Best Academic and Career Development award went to King’s College London’s Turkish Society; Queen Mary University of London’s society received the award for presenting Turkish culture. Ertaş presented the honors. Ulusoy thanked former TUSU executives who graduated in 2025–2026 with certificates.

President Kovacı presented supporter certificates to Yusuf Söyler of Kafkas Food and to Metin Bayram of Meto Print. Tile Palace’s Sefa Keleş received recognition alongside Levent Börek’s İzzet Hızlı. GoBritanya’s Erhan Şengür was a recipient.

Diplomatic and Institutional Guests

Diplomatic guests included central bank official Muhammed Çetin and culture counselor Mustafa Özkaya, as well as the student societies. Duygu Altıntaş attended as acting education counselor alongside trade counselor Nisamettin Doğan Güner. Armed forces and naval attaché Colonel Özgür Dündar joined the gathering. Business attendees included Kebapçı İskender’s Yavuz İskenderoğlu and Pladis delegates. Olay Gazete proprietor Nural Ezel attended. GESİAD president Murat Bingöl joined Türk Birliği president Mehmet Paköz. UID’s Halil Erdoğan participated.

The institutional guest list included the Turkish-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TBCCI) and Yıldız Technical University’s YTÜ Teknopark. TRT World joined Türkyar as one of the listed organizations. MÜSİAD UK and GSİAD appeared in the roster. The UK consortium for Turkish education was invited. Turks in Britain joined The Rabit Agency among invitees. Kaplan International was listed.

Education in Avni Ongurlar’s Earlier Work

Avni’s interest in education has a personal foundation in his mother’s teaching career, documented through the school he commissioned in her name. Hacı Hatice Ongurlar Ortaokulu opened for lessons in Eskişehir on September 9, 2024. It's 32 teaching spaces that fulfilled his late mother’s request for a school, even a small one.

In our school’s opening account, Avni encouraged other businesspeople to support education and discussed its role in responsible citizenship.

For the proposed Kağıthane vocational school, Avni described an aim of preparing young people for food professions, particularly in chocolate production. The district education authority’s December 2025 record describes the school as planned, with its construction discussed during his visit. The wider protocol included a primary school project.

Hafiz Mustafa’s Academy account documents employee learning through Ercan Gecid’s progression to management, alongside Avni’s stated support for colleagues’ continued education. We recorded that account in March 2024.

Conversations with the Business Community

After the reception, the Turkish Business Forum reported discussions with TUSU’s leadership concerning employment preparation and internships for students approaching graduation. Its account described an agreement to develop a project with the union, with details intended for a later meeting. Guests received Turkish food after the speeches and the award ceremony. The gathering ended with conversations and photographs.