What’s happening in Ankara and at METU?

Tell me about Middle EARTH Technical University;

Middle East Technical University is one of the most popular universities across Turkey. In the global listings, it is either the first or the second from Turkey. Since the foundation of the university in the middle of a steppe in Ankara, members/students/academics of this university have been creating value for both the world and the country. Of course this cannot be achieved under supressing regime, #METU has always been the ‘rebellious child ‘of this country. 

One of these values is the FOREST in Ankara. This success is something to brag about for any person that is affiliated with this university. The discussions are yet to be done, the municipality of Ankara had invaded the campus through cutting the fences siding to a neighbourhood where the planned road will pass in a midnight operation on 18^th of October. 

For further information about the university; www.metu.edu.tr 

Where is this road, why is it important?

The need for this in-city highway is still controversial, and the press releases such as ‘We are at the gates of METU’ from the mayor of Ankara only increase the tension. Necessity or not, more than 3000 trees had been cut for the sake of this road, on the assault (The only word that can be used here) on 18^th of October. The plans are on the siding image next to this paragrapgh (also please notice Ankara’s new shopping mall on the map which is to be opened in late October). The midnight operation is considered ‘illegal act’ by many, since the plans were/are on-hold due to an objection made by the university administration. 

What happened to ‘Shire’?

Some students have started to call their campus as Shire, referring to J. R. Tolkien’s famous novel the Lord of the Rings. The image below resembles ‘The Isengard’ Tower’ in the second movie to many eyes and to mine with three police busses and the countless construction vehicles. Please, note that the vehicles are on a place where was once a forest.

How does METU take the news?

Every year METU hosts an event of ‘Tree Planting Festival’. This year’s first festival happened on 25^th of October with a massive participation, and the theme was to plant as many as trees in order to cover for the damage given by the municipality. There will be another on 3^rd of November. It seems that trees are more important than the road for METU people, the HOBBITS.

Hobbits Planting Trees