There was one subject that has always been the first concern in the minds of the founders of the Turkish Republic in the most trying times and even on the most formidable battlefields: Education. In a speech he made to teachers in 1922 before the pronouncement of the Republic, Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, the architect of its path and a great leader who had set before us the target of "reaching the level of contemporary civilizations" said: "The victory of our armies only provided a foundation for the victory that you and your armies will be winning. You are the ones who will win and carry on the real victory and you will most certainly succeed."

The War of Independence was fought not only to liberate the people of this land, but also to free its inhabitants from ignorance. It was indeed ignorance, lack of education that was the most important factor that had kept us backward for centuries. This is why putting education before everything is at the very core of our Republic. The founders of the Republic, and first and foremost Atatürk himself, knew very well that it would not be possible to reach the level of contemporary civilizations without addressing the problems of education.

Throughout my life, I have always felt the results of, and benefited greatly from, the educational reforms initiated by Atatürk.

These reforms improved the quality of education. Turkey, however, is still not where it should be. We have not yet been successful in this area and consequently Turkey has not reached the point where we would like it to be. Much of the problems experienced today stem from inadequate education. What do we see when we look at Turkey today? Although Turkey signed a partnership agreement with the European Union in 1963, discussions for its full membership have only just begun. National income per capita has increased and is almost 5,000 US Dollars now. However, this is still very much below the level in developed countries. There are great differences between the regions in terms of development. The population growth rate has dropped to an average of 1% in Turkey but in some regions, it is still extremeely high. Literacy figures have increased but 30% of mothers are still illiterate. Unfortunately, qualifications of the Turkish workers are insufficient and their productivity is low. We are trying to compete under such circumstances while the world is living through the age of information.

Turkey may reach the level of contemporary societies, advance as a secular and democratic Republic, achieve economic development and fully implement the requirements of human rights only through education. Today, it is not possible to realize educational reforms through public sources. Failure to procure adequate funds results in a failure to create the opportunities required by the age and time we live in. Supporting the Turkish Education is a patriotic duty.

In every task I have undertaken, in every step of my life, I have always adopted Atatürk’s principles and reforms as my guide. Never has a desire for material wealth or power gotten ahead of my ideals. I believe in sharing what I have earned in my country with the people of my country. I have never, for one moment, hesitated in deciding how I can serve my country in line with this belief. I took on the responsibility of creating resources for education, culture and art where state funds were insufficient; I have always believed that supporting education is the best way to serve your country. I have always worked with the awareness that through my work I would be paying back my debt to my country. It is with this belief and with these thoughts that I focus on education. I am intent on spending the rest of my life in the service of education.

I am very happy to have so far been able to contribute to education as much as I could. My greatest happiness is to know that through the Asım Kocabıyık Foundation for Culture and Education that I have built, this contribution will be carried on into the future by my children and grandchildren. I dedicate our efforts to our children, may they have an even brighter future.