With the generous donation of the late M. Kutsi Beğdeş and the support of the Contemporary Education Foundation and the Tercan District Governor’s Office, 320 students began their education in a warm, welcoming new environment.
About M. Kutsi Beğdeş
Mehmet Kutsi Beğdeş, one of the Founding Members of the Contemporary Education Foundation, was born in 1916 in Kutsi Şerif. He was the son of Abdullah Mecdi Bey, a notable from Diyarbakır, and Beyza Hanım, a woman from a Rhodian family.
Education and Career
Beğdeş graduated from Robert College in 1938 and later earned his degree from Indiana University. Throughout his distinguished career, he:
- Founded and managed Türk Ekspres, a tourism company
- Served as CEO of Yapı Kredi Bank
- Acted as a consultant to General Electric and Turkish Airlines
Legacy and Contribution
Upon the will of M. Kutsi Beğdeş, one of the principal donors of the Contemporary Education Foundation, the “Contemporary Education Foundation M. Kutsi Beğdeş Atatürk Primary School” was constructed in Erzincan’s Tercan district. The school features:
- Two-story structure
- Eight classrooms
- Modern educational facilities
The school was inaugurated in a ceremonial opening on January 4, 2006, and immediately began serving the community. With M. Kutsi Beğdeş’s generous donation and the collaborative support of the Contemporary Education Foundation and the Tercan District Governor’s Office, 320 students now have access to quality education in their new learning environment.
A Testament to Vision
This school stands as a lasting tribute to M. Kutsi Beğdeş’s commitment to education and the Contemporary Education Foundation’s mission to improve educational access for all children.
