Honorary doctorate to Güler Sabancı

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a global leader in industry-university partnership, awards honorary doctorate to Sabancı University Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı

Güler Sabancı: “Leading the establishment of Sabanci University was the most satisfying experience in my career.”

“Countries successful in industry-university partnerships gain undisputed superiority in competitiveness as well.”

Sabancı  University Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı was conferred an honorary doctorate in humanities by Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a global leader in industry-university cooperation.  Attending the ceremony presided by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying at Hong Kong Polytechnic University were Haldun Tekneci, Consul-General of Turkey; Marjorie Yang Mun-tak, Council Chair of Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Professor Timothy W. Tong, President of Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Professor Nihat Berker, President of Sabancı University; Professor Yusuf Menceloğlu, Dean of Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences; Professor Hüveyda Başağa, member of faculty at the Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, and a large number of invited dignitaries. 

The Executive Council of Hong Kong Polytechnic University had announced its decision to confer an honorary doctorate in humanities to Güler Sabancı for her achievement and contribution to society.  The award had also been approved by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. 

During the honorary doctorate ceremony, Güler Sabancı was introduced with the following words: “In times of instability, the presence of a leader by example instills confidence.  Güler Sabancı, the president of the leading Turkish business group Sabancı Holding, has an illustrious past not only in the local and global business community, but also in cultural and social areas.  Growing up under the wings of her uncle, she learnt all about the world of business in the family company her grandfather had started in the early 20th century.  The company began with cotton and textile trade, and now covers financial services, cement, tire and tire reinforcement material production, energy and retail.  In a male-dominated world, Güler Sabancı climbed the corporate ladder one step at a time.

“As the focus of global economy shifted from the West towards Asia, Turkey implemented the right policies at the right time to exploit its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.  In 2005, Güler Sabancı foresaw that Turkey “would become the China of Europe.”  Considering that the average annual growth rate of the country is 8%, it may be said that the ambitious vision has come true. 

In the capable hands of Sabancı, the Group achieved impressive results in 2012 with net sales over USD 14 billion.

“While Turkey is among developing market economies, the participation of women in the country’s workforce is still below 30%.  As a champion of the empowerment of women with employment opportunities, Güler Sabancı is a beacon of excellence when it comes to the leadership positions occupied by women.  Results are the key indicators in business, and she has consistently succeeded in this area.

Güler Sabancı is the first female member of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD).  She is also the first and only female member of the European Roundtable of Industrialists (ERT).  She sits on the World Economic Forum International Business Council and the MIT Energy Initiative International Board of Overseers.  Güler Sabancı is also a member of Siemens AG Board of Directors and the United Nations Global Compact Board.  She ranks high among the “most successful women” lists of the leading publications like Fortune and  Financial Times.  Her business leadership was recognized with the Clinton Global Citizenship Award in 2011 and the Austrian Schumpeter Award given to true innovators. 

Social responsibility is just as important to Güler Sabancı as business. In 2009, the Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy was awarded to Güler Sabancı in her capacity as Chairperson of the Sabancı Foundation Board of Trustees.  Established in 1974, Sabancı Foundation works to improve the rights of women and girls in Turkey and throughout the world.  Donations by the Sabancı Group exceed USD 1.5 billion. The Foundation announced their partnership with  Girls Not Brides to prevent child marriages at the Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York last year.  Güler Sabancı's personal dedication to the cause was recognized by former US President Bill Clinton.  Sabancı also received the Responsible Leadership Award given by the European School of Management and Technology in 2011.

Güler Sabancı recently received the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award.

Education is a personal passion for Güler Sabancı. Established under her leadership, Sabancı University is a pioneer in student-focused education in Turkey, and the country’s top university in innovation and entrepreneurship, European Research Projects and European Exchange Programs.  Güler Sabancı is the founding Board of Trustees Chair of Sabancı University, a position she has maintained since the establishment of the university in 1996.  The university is an excellent institution with its Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences that includes the cutting-edge Nanotechnology Research and Application Center; the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences that houses Turkey’s leading think-tank, Istanbul Policy Center; and the School of Management, which is a strategic partner of the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Sabancı is a long-standing supporter of art, and was personally involved in the transformation of the Sabancı family house in Istanbul into the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, and served as its President.  Inaugurated in 2002, the museum hosted exhibitions of Picasso, Dali, Rodin, Rembrandt, Monet and others, bringing the works of modern masters to the Turkish people.

“As a visionary and an effective leader, Güler Sabancı received honors all around the world for her outstanding contributions.  Today, we are delighted to commend her for her achievements.”

UNIVERSITIES OCCUPY A CENTRAL ROLE IN CREATING INNOVATION AND EXPLORING NEW AND SCIENTIFIC WAYS FOR SUSTAINABILITY.

In her acknowledgement speech, Güler Sabancı said, “This university is recognized as a business, industry and social partner on an international scale, and plays a critical role in the research and development of new technologies and innovative products.  Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s commitment to the creation and dissemination of knowledge globally is vital in the shaping of the future. 

I began my career immediately after university, and never had the opportunity to receive a graduate degree.  This is why the honor you have bestowed upon me today is exceptionally important and precious to me. 

I have always believed university and industry cooperation to be extremely valuable.  Leading the establishment of Sabancı University was the most satisfying experience in my career.  Receiving this degree is a privilege for me. 

Universities occupy a central role in creating innovation and exploring new and scientific ways for sustainability. A direct link between institutions of higher education and the private sector enables development on a wider scale, and the synergy leads to results that are far superior to those they would have achieved on their own.  Countries that are successful in industry-university partnerships are the undisputed leaders of the global competition scene, and this is exactly where the international race will head for in the future. 

Just as Hong Kong is a bridge between China and the world, Hong Kong Polytechnic University is a conduit between education and the private sector.  Similarly, Istanbul bridges Europe and Asia in Turkey, and Sabancı University is likewise a link between research and business.  Therefore, the opportunity I receive to build stronger relations between Sabancı University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University through this great honor is the source of much happiness to me."

Also receiving honorary doctorates at the ceremony were Professor Mildred S. Dresselhaus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Dr. Edwin Leong Siu-hung, Founder and President of Tai Hung Fai Enterprise Company; author Professor Pai Hsien-yung; and Patrick Poon Sun-cheong, President of Harvest SCP Group Company Limited. 

Hong Kong Polytechnic University is a global leader in industry and university partnerships. The University is also prominent in applied research, innovation and technology.

OTHER AWARDS RECEIVED BY SABANCI

Güler Sabancı has a number of awards including Spain’s top merit award “Encomienda De Numero;” the French “Legion d’Honneur” order as well as the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership and Clinton Global Initiative Awards, the Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy, the Schumpeter Award and the Responsible Leadership Award given by the European School of Management and Technology.  Sabancı was also second in Fortune’s list of 50 Most Powerful Women In Business.  In 2011, she was ranked second by Financial Times on the “Top 50 Women in World Business” list.