<p>More from January 2006, complete with pictures:
<a href=“http://www.sunymaritime.edu/News/1-11-06_welcomedinner.htm[/url]”>http://www.sunymaritime.edu/News/1-11-06_welcomedinner.htm</a></p>
<p>SUNY Maritime College hosted a dinner on Wednesday, January 11 to welcome an additional 19 Turkish students from Istanbul Technical University (ITU) who are participating in a dual degree diploma program with the State University of New York. Initiated in 2005, a total of 37 Turks are fully integrated into regimental life and paired with American roommates. They spend two years at Maritime and participate in all academic and regimental activities as cadets, including two Summer Sea Terms aboard Maritimes 17,000 ton, 565-foot training vessel, the Empire State VI. The Turks will receive degrees from both Maritime and ITU as part of this unique educational experience. Last year, 585 Maritime cadets visited Istanbul and Cesme, Turkey in June during Summer Sea Term 2005 that also included visits to Belgium, Mallorca and Lisbon before returning to New York. </p>
<p>"Our American and Turkish cadets are forming lifelong personal and professional relationships that are the very basic and indispensable ingredients of good relations between our countries, said Vice Admiral John W. Craine, Jr., USN (Ret.), president of SUNY Maritime College. Professor Dr. Osman Kamil Sag, founding dean of Istanbul Technical University Faculty agreed. “So many opportunities exist for our Turkish and American cadets as they receive a world-class education at Maritime and enjoy new cultural experiences during the Summer Sea Terms. Upon completion of the dual degree program, they will pursue exciting careers in the maritime industry throughout the globe and form bonds that last a life time.”</p>