“Life-Changing Leaders Summit” at Oxford University: A Historic Gathering of Visionary Leaders

The 2nd Life-Changing Leaders Summit, organized by Lob’in International was held on the prestigious campus of Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Bringing together representatives from politics, diplomacy, academia, business, and media, the summit provided a platform for high-level discussions on Cyprus, peace in the Eastern Mediterranean, and sustainable development.

The summit was moderated by Prof. Dr. Uğur Özgöker, Head of the Department of International Relations at Istanbul Arel University, with opening presentations delivered in English by Done Öğretici and in Turkish by Veysi Dede.

Key participants and speakers included TRNC’s 5th President Ersin Tatar, Democratic Party MP and Girne American University Founder Serhat Akpınar, Mgr. Halil Sert, Av. Serkan Bayram, Prof. Dr. Uğur Özgöker, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emir Özeren, business leaders Fatih Olgun and Münir Tatar, Ümit Kalko, Nihat Tanrıkulu, Emre Meydan, Yahya Akceylan, Dr. Hamdi Akkuş, Dr. Teoman Sırrı, Dr. Belma Uysal, Dr. Yasemin Görgün, Hasan Özyer, Oğuzhan Ceylan, Nural Ezel, Hülya Özkoyuncu, and Alpaslan Düven, among many others from the public and private sectors.

Fahri Ustaoğlu: “Today is a Legacy for Tomorrow”

Beginning his address with the words, “Your Excellency Mr. President, Honorable Member of Parliament, Esteemed Ambassador, Honorable Mayor, Distinguished Rector, valued representatives of the Turkish and European business communities, respected members of the press, and distinguished guests… Welcome to the ‘Adding Value to Life Summit’,” Fahri Ustaoğlu, Chairman of Lobin International, stated that Türkiye’s major breakthroughs in the manufacturing and service sectors have elevated the country to the level of exemplary nations on the global stage. He emphasized that the goal of reaching the level of contemporary European civilization continues with strong determination.

Delivering the opening speech of the summit, Ustaoğlu described the event not merely as a moment in time, but as a visionary signature left for the future. He underlined that the increasing international visibility of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Türkiye’s achievements in industry and the service sectors stand as powerful indicators of regional leadership, development, and sustainable progress.

Serhat Akpınar Highlights Global Vision and Higher Education
Following the opening speeches, Serhat Akpınar addressed the audience, emphasizing that participating in the summit was not a personal honor but a historic responsibility on behalf of the TRNC.

He accepted his award as recognition for a global vision centered on science, education, youth, and peace. “Today, real power is built not by tanks but by knowledge, universities, academic networks, and the hearts of international students,” he stated. Akpınar stressed that higher education is a universal language that builds trust and understanding among nations, beyond merely issuing diplomas.

He noted that the TRNC’s higher education system is the strongest proof of its international identity and soft power: “We have never asked to be recognized; we asked for recognition of science, quality, and our graduates. Thousands of alumni across four continents represent our universities and Northern Cyprus.” Despite embargoes and political pressures, he emphasized that science and education transcend borders, and universities belong to humanity. The respectful mention of the TRNC in Oxford demonstrates that all obstacles can be overcome.

Addressing young people, Akpınar encouraged dreaming big: “Wherever you are born, if you have faith, work hard, and dare to dream, one day your path may lead to Oxford and the global stage. The journey from Girne to Oxford is living proof of this.” He accepted the award on behalf of university administrations, academics, students, and the Turkish Cypriot people, pledging to continue creating value for science, youth, and humanity.

TRNC’s 5th President Ersin Tatar: “We Will Never Compromise on Sovereignty”
Honored at the summit, President Ersin Tatar delivered a comprehensive speech reflecting on his tenure and the Cyprus issue. He began: “Feelings are mixed, but everyone must be mature,” emphasizing that maturity means digesting experiences with humility and love. He highlighted the TRNC’s historic participation in Turkish World platforms under its own flag and thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey for his support.

Tatar detailed major investments over the past five years, including new hospitals, health centers, and road projects during the pandemic, strengthening TRNC’s infrastructure. He also praised the Teknofest event, held with the support of Selçuk Bayraktar, which has gained worldwide recognition. The newly constructed Presidential Complex, Parliament, Supreme Court, National Library, mosque, sports facilities, and 400-acre park in Nicosia was described as a landmark state achievement.

He pledged to continue delivering TRNC’s messages globally: “As the fifth President of TRNC, I will of course keep running. My health and energy are strong, and I will continue to convey our messages wherever I go.”

On Cyprus, Tatar emphasized that the essential issue is the existence, sovereignty, and rights of the TRNC and Turkish Cypriot people in the Eastern Mediterranean. Referring to the 2017 Crans-Montana Talks, he rejected the “zero troops, zero guarantees” approach and highlighted the unsustainability of traditional negotiation tables under current conditions.

Tatar noted rising military and political activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, involving the UK, France, the United States, and Israel in the Greek Cypriot Administration, and stressed TRNC’s strategic position just 60 kilometers from Turkey. He reaffirmed that the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces ensures peace, security, and stability. Concluding, he declared: “The essential matter is for the Turkish Cypriot people to move toward the future with their own traditions and national and spiritual values. Protecting our sovereignty, state, and security is our most natural right. The Turkish Cypriot is not alone.”

Prof. Dr. Uğur Özgöker: “Oxford Hosts Such a High-Caliber Event for the First Time”
Prof. Dr. Özgöker highlighted the summit’s historical significance academically and diplomatically, emphasizing the TRNC’s increasing international visibility and the consolidation of the two-state solution paradigm under President Tatar’s leadership.

Prof. Dr. Uğur Özgöker underlined that such visionary and high-standard gatherings represent a historic turning point, stating that for decades these initiatives had been spoken of, but that the real transformation has become clearly visible in recent years. He emphasized that the long-term work carried out under Lobin International reflects a disciplined, visionary leadership and that the institutionalization of quality culture and consumer awareness did not happen by coincidence, but as the result of systematic and visionary efforts developed over many years. According to Özgöker, the development of social awareness regarding quality and consumer rights has now reached a level where it has become an integral part of modern governance and public consciousness.

Drawing special attention to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Prof. Dr. Özgöker expressed his deep personal pride as a Turkish Cypriot and stated that a historic paradigm shift is currently taking place. He stressed that the era of federation-based negotiations has been replaced by a clear and firm political vision based on a two-state solution, adding that this new approach has increasingly gained international visibility. He stated that the growing participation of the TRNC in international platforms has strengthened its presence globally, and that such high-level summits play a crucial role in increasing international recognition and diplomatic influence.

Life-Changing Leaders Awards
The summit presented awards to a wide array of individuals for their contributions, including TRNC President Ersin Tatar, Serhat Akpınar, Av. Serkan Bayram, Mgr. Halil Sert, Mehmet Tuncan, Prof. Dr. Uğur Özgöker, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emir Özeren, Fatih Olgun, Ümit Kalko, Nihat Tanrıkulu, Emre Meydan, Yahya Akceylan, Dr. Hamdi Akkuş, Oğuzhan Ceylan, Hasan Özyer, Atakan Çelik, Nural Ezel, Hülya Özkoyuncu, and Alpaslan Düven, among others from public and private sectors.

The summit successfully blended academic, diplomatic, and business dialogue, celebrating achievements while promoting TRNC’s visibility on the international stage.