The 6th Pamukkale Conference of English Studies for Undergraduate Students
Denizli, 27 May 2022
Opening Speech by the Head of the Department, Assoc. Prof. Şeyda SİVRİOĞLU
Distinguished colleagues, guests and dear students,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the 6th Pamukkale Conference of English Studies for Undergraduate Students. This year’s topic is Awareness in Humanities.
We have had the privilege of holding our conference since 2015 on the topics of evil, food, time and dreams but unfortunately during the pandemic season of 2020, the conference was held neither face to face nor online. In 2021 we did it online, so after 3 years of time, here we are: face to face again. This year’s topic, chosen by our dear students, is the result of the growing awareness of the pandemic and its impacts on human life all around the world.
As you are too aware, we have experienced a crisis not only in terms of COVID 19 virus awareness but also we have been forced to discern major upheavals in economic, social and individual life brought about by the pandemic related crises that have not recognized any borders at all. First we have been worried about our lives, and then our basic needs that are compulsory for survival. As the pandemic time continued, we started to be more isolated and alienated. We developed a sense of awareness in all senses. I am going to continue my speech with a very famous quote from Descartes. “I think therefore I am”. And now I will change it into “I am too aware therefore I am”.
Since the last face to face PACES, we have also witnessed many changes as a department: one of our professors Cumhur Yılmaz Madran retired and two of our Professors moved to different universities. Thus, we are also grown into a full awareness of the value of their friendship, sincerity, professional academic studies and lectures. We miss them a lot and two of them are here with us today: Prof. Mehmet Ali Çelikel and Prof. Meryem Ayan. Thank you for joining us today. And last but not least my colleague from İstanbul University Dr. Arpine Mızıkyan is also with us in this conference with her valuable contributions.
Through PACES, we strive to promote a greater understanding and awareness of literature and culture to forge new horizons and develop a vigorous intellectual and artistic life among you all. So, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, I wish you a successful and enlightening conference.
Thank you all and enjoy your time here!
Şeyda Sivrioğlu