By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Sakarya University has honoured Havva Kul with an honorary law degree in recognition of her extraordinary sacrifice and unwavering commitment to helping her visually impaired daughter, Berru Merve Kul, successfully complete a law degree.
The university presented the honorary degree during its July 2018 graduation ceremony after acknowledging the pivotal role Havva played throughout her daughter’s four-year academic journey.
With limited access to Braille textbooks and audio learning resources, she attended every lecture with her daughter, took notes and spent countless hours reading law textbooks, case studies and legal codes aloud to help her prepare for examinations.
The emotional recognition came as Berru graduated with her law degree, a milestone made possible through years of determination, resilience and her mother’s unwavering support.
University authorities said Havva’s dedication went far beyond parental responsibility, describing her as her daughter’s indispensable academic partner throughout her legal education.
Unable to depend on accessible study materials, Havva accompanied Berru to every class, meticulously recorded lectures and ensured she remained on track with the demanding coursework required for a law degree.
After lectures, the commitment continued at home, where Havva patiently read legal textbooks, statutes and case materials aloud, enabling her daughter to study effectively despite her visual impairment.
In recognition of the exceptional sacrifice, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Mahmut Bilen, invited Havva to the graduation stage alongside her daughter.
Presenting the honorary degree certificate, Bilen paid tribute to the mother’s remarkable devotion, acknowledging that her selfless efforts were instrumental to Berru’s academic success.
The gesture drew a standing ovation from graduates, parents, lecturers and guests, many of whom were visibly moved by the touching tribute.
The university’s decision underscored the critical role of family support in overcoming barriers faced by persons living with disabilities, particularly in environments where accessible educational resources remain inadequate.
For Berru, the graduation marked the fulfilment of a long-held ambition to become a lawyer. For Havva, the honorary degree symbolised public recognition of four years of sacrifice, perseverance and unconditional love.
Together, mother and daughter left the ceremony as inspiring symbols of courage, resilience and the enduring power of parental devotion in the pursuit of education.
