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İhsan Doğramacı: A Life Dedicated to Humanity

İhsan Doğramacı was a visionary leader who dedicated his nearly century-long life to serving children, youth, and all humanity, overcoming obstacles with determination. He will always be remembered not only in Turkey but also around the world for the institutions he established and his contributions in the fields of health, education, and science.

Life and Education

Born in 1915 in Erbil, in what was then the Ottoman Empire territory in northern Iraq, Doğramacı came from a prominent Turkmen family. His father, Doğramacızade Ali Pasha, was the mayor of Erbil, and his mother, İsmet Hanım, was the daughter of Kırdarzade Mehmet Ali Bey, a long-time member of the Ottoman Parliament representing Kirkuk.

After completing his Turkish-language primary education in Erbil, Doğramacı graduated from Beirut American College and the Faculty of Medicine at Istanbul University. He specialized in pediatric health under Professor Albert Eckstein in Ankara and later conducted research at Harvard and Washington Universities in the United States.

The Foundations of Bilkent University and His Career

Settling in Ankara in 1947, Doğramacı began formulating the idea of founding nonprofit private higher education institutions in Turkey, inspired by what he had observed in the U.S.

As a rapidly rising young pediatrician at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, he became a professor of pediatrics in 1955. That same year, he established the Ankara University Institute of Child Health in a disadvantaged area of Ankara. By 1961, he had added Turkey’s first schools of Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, and Medical Technology to this institute. He later led the founding of a second medical faculty—Hacettepe Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences—and a School of Dentistry at the same university.

Between 1963 and 1967, he held key roles such as Rector of Ankara University and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Middle East Technical University.

Hacettepe University and Higher Education Reform

In 1967, he merged the Hacettepe Faculty of Medicine with the institute’s affiliated schools to form Hacettepe University, serving as its rector until 1975. Upon completing his term, he accepted a professorship in pediatrics at Paris Descartes University.

In 1980, he was asked to consult on drafting legislation to reform Turkey’s higher education system. Among his proposals was the creation of a Higher Education Council (YÖK) directly linked to the Presidency. He was appointed the first president of YÖK at the end of 1981 and served until 1992.

These reforms significantly improved higher education in Turkey. Participation rates rose from 6.3% in 1980 to 38.2% over the next 25 years. Additionally, Turkey advanced from 45th to 18th place globally in scientific publications. Doğramacı also emphasized music and arts education.

Founding of Bilkent University and International Contributions

The 1982 Constitution enabled nonprofit foundations to establish higher education institutions. In 1984, Doğramacı founded Bilkent University—the first private university in Turkey—and became Chair of its Board of Trustees.

He also founded five foundations that supported various educational institutions and hospitals, including the İhsan Doğramacı Family Health Foundation, which has awarded achievements in family health since 1983 through the World Health Organization.

A true global citizen, Doğramacı spoke several languages, including German, Arabic, Persian, French, and English.

Leadership and Awards on the International Stage

At age 31 in 1946, Doğramacı had the privilege of participating in the founding of the World Health Organization and signing its constitution. After returning to Turkey, WHO requested his guidance in establishing new medical and health sciences schools around the world. He helped found institutions in countries like Canada, Brazil, Nigeria, and Cameroon.

He led the Turkish delegation to the World Health Assembly for six years and served as President of the European Region and Second Vice President of the Assembly in 1976. He later joined the WHO Executive Board and several advisory committees. In recognition of his service, WHO awarded him the Léon Bernard Foundation Prize in 1981 and the “Health for All” Gold Medal in 1997.

Doğramacı also contributed significantly to UNICEF, serving multiple terms as chair of both its Program Committee and Executive Board. In 1995, he was honored with the Maurice Pate Award. From 1958 to 2003, he chaired the Turkish National Committee for UNICEF and was later named honorary president.

In 1968, he became President of the International Pediatric Association, serving for 25 years and becoming its honorary lifetime president in 1992.

While chairing the UNICEF Executive Board, he also served on the Advisory Board of the International Children's Center in Paris, continuing until 1984. After its closure in 1999, he relocated the center to Ankara, led it until 2006, and was later named honorary president.

Doğramacı authored many scientific articles, book chapters, and books in the field of medicine and health sciences. Books about his life and achievements have been published in multiple languages. Esteemed composers like Adnan Saygun dedicated sonatas and symphonies to him. He received numerous awards, medals, and honors, including honorary doctorates from 26 universities in 14 countries. He was a member of various national academies and an honorary member of 23 national pediatric societies. In 1998, the Council of Europe presented him the Peace, Justice, and Tolerance Award.

He was honored with national decorations from heads of state in countries like Azerbaijan, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Iran, and Poland. The Turkish Grand National Assembly, the Egyptian Parliament, and other national institutions also presented him with distinguished awards and medals.

Known as "Hocabey," İhsan Doğramacı dedicated his nearly century-long life to serving children, youth, and humanity. He overcame great obstacles in pursuit of his ideals and will always be remembered for the institutions he founded and the contributions he made to health, education, and science in both Turkey and the world.

Professional Background and Awards

Professional Background:

• 1955–1981: Director, Hacettepe Institute of Child Health, Ankara
• 1963: Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ankara University
• 1963–1965: Rector, Ankara University
• 1965–1967: Chair of the Board of Trustees, Middle East Technical University
• 1967–1975: Rector, Hacettepe University
• 1981–1992: President, Higher Education Council (YÖK)

Onursal Doktoraları:

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Bibliography

1. Bilkent Holding. (n.d.). Founder.. https://www.bilkentholding.com.tr/tr/kurucu
2. Bilkent University Life. https://www.bilkent.edu.tr/hocabey/hayat.html