WE ARE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE RECONSTRUCTION OF HATAY
Iskenderun Technical University (ISTE) continues to stand by Hatay and Hatay residents since the first moment of the 6 February earthquakes.
Since the very first moments of the February 6 earthquakes, Iskenderun Technical University (ISTE) has remained steadfast in its support for Hatay and its residents. On the morning of the earthquake, ISTE immediately opened its doors to the public, and in the following days, mobilized all its resources to assist the local community. As time progressed, ISTE continued its efforts in close coordination with various state institutions, aiming to heal the wounds of the disaster together. Currently, ISTE is providing academic contributions to initiatives aimed at reviving the region's economic, cultural, and social life. One notable example of these contributions is the involvement of Associate Professor Dr. Mert Nezih Rifaioğlu from the Faculty of Architecture at ISTE. Dr. Rifaioğlu, an expert in the preservation of historical monuments and cultural heritage, is playing a key role in efforts to protect Hatay's cultural assets. He is a member of the scientific committee responsible for the restoration of cultural heritage sites in Antakya, Iskenderun, Belen, and Arsuz.
Under the leadership of ISTE Rector, Professor Dr. Tolga Depci, ISTE’s academic staff are actively engaged in evaluating the impact of the earthquake on structures in Hatay, assessing the extent of the damage, participating in reconstruction efforts, and contributing to the broader revitalization of the city. The academics are sharing their knowledge and expertise with relevant departments of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Hatay Governorship, foundations, and other institutions.
Associate Professor Dr. Rifaioğlu serves as a scientific advisor on committees overseeing the restoration of key landmarks such as the Habib-i Neccar Mosque, Ulu Mosque, Hatay Assembly Building, Iskenderun Greek Catholic Church, Syriac Catholic Church, Belen Kanuni Sultan Suleiman Mosque, and Arsuz Mar Yuhanna Church. Additionally, he is involved in the consultancy process for the preservation and planning of Antakya's historic urban fabric, as part of a protocol with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Dr. Rifaioğlu is also a partner in an international project, in collaboration with the METU Center for Research and Application of Historical Environment Values, focused on the impact of the earthquake on Antakya’s cultural heritage and the efforts to restore it.
Emphasizing that ISTE will always stand by Iskenderun and Hatay, yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Rector Professor Dr. Tolga Depci stated: “Each of our faculty members' work is incredibly valuable and important. We are all united in our belief that strength comes from unity, and we are committed to serving our country. Although our areas of expertise may differ, our goal is the same: to restore Hatay to even better days than before. I believe and hope that we will achieve this in the best way possible in the shortest time. Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, all branches of our government continue their efforts in the region. As a higher education institution, we are providing academic support to these efforts. We will continue to enhance our work, which has been successfully ongoing without interruption, in the coming period. I would like to thank all my colleagues and wish them success, both as their Rector and as an honorary citizen of Hatay.”
