News

The "Financial Literacy Training" organized to develop financial literacy among our students and to explain the vital importance of the nature of money and its strategic management was held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the Ziraat Bank Conference Hall in the Central Library, led by trainer Celali Yılmaz.

The training provided participants with a detailed perspective on basic economic principles and market perceptions. It was emphasized that despite Turkey ranking among the top countries in the world in terms of economic and military capacity, its financial literacy level remains between 50th and 100th place, highlighting a fundamental contradiction. It was stated that this situation stems from problems in individuals' financial perceptions and that many training programs in the market are actually provided by institutions to generate transaction volume for themselves. It was emphasized that a truly financially literate person is not just someone who memorizes formulas, but someone who understands the logic of the system and focuses on the whole picture.

It was explained that money, especially in periods of high inflation, has a structure that melts rapidly, like "an ice cube under the August sun." It was conveyed that the majority of financial investments are actually made to prevent this ice cube from shrinking, and that many situations we perceive as gains are merely successes in preserving existing value. It was stated that paper money is only valuable because of the "prestige" that society attributes to it, whereas gold and silver have maintained their value throughout history as limited resources whose quantity cannot be increased.

The perception in Turkey that second-hand vehicles or real estate are always profitable investments was considered an indicator of financial illiteracy, and it was emphasized that nominal increases do not always translate into real gains. It was stressed that the factor determining winning or losing in financial markets is psychology rather than technical knowledge; therefore, the importance of making rational decisions and being aware that risks are transferable was emphasized.

It was reiterated that promises of quick riches and claims of "risk-free high returns" are contrary to the nature of finance and often constitute a crime. It was emphasized that there is no single "one-size-fits-all" investment advice at that applies to everyone, and that the right decision must be determined according to the individual's age, time horizon, and education, based on the "It Depends" (ID) principle. The session concluded with the message that education is a continuous awareness process that needs to be constantly updated, not only for those with money but for every individual who wants to manage their income in the most appropriate way.