Ford Otosan, in collaboration with the Vehbi Koç Foundation, has laid the foundation for the Vehbi Koç Foundation Semahat Arsel Primary School, a new school with 35 classrooms to be built in Kocaeli.
According to a company statement, Ford Otosan and the Vehbi Koç Foundation have added a new investment to their initiatives centered on social benefit.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Gölcük and the new school will replace the previously demolished Donanma Primary School, which had been declared structurally unsafe. The new facility will be equipped to meet the educational needs of future generations.
The ceremony was attended by Governor of Kocaeli İlhami Aktaş, Kocaeli MP Mehmet Akif Yılmaz, Gölcük District Governor Müfit Gültekin, Mayor of Gölcük Ali Yıldırım Sezer, Ford Otosan General Manager Güven Özyurt, Vehbi Koç Foundation General Manager Oğuz Toprakoğlu, as well as other foundation representatives and local officials.
Ford Otosan continues to lead sustainable social responsibility projects in areas such as industry, the environment, education, culture, and health, aiming to generate social value. The company notably supports vocational education to boost youth employment and develop skilled labor.
The Vehbi Koç Foundation continues its efforts through institutions under its management, regular centrally administered programs, support for specialized NGOs, and model collaborations.
Across Kocaeli, Ford Otosan has significantly improved the educational infrastructure of thousands of students by establishing Ford classrooms, labs, hands-on workshops, test vehicles, and computer support in vocational and technical high schools.
The Ford Otosan İhsaniye Automotive Vocational School, founded within Kocaeli University Hereke Ömer İsmet Uzunyol Vocational School, serves as a sustainable model that blends theoretical and practical education.
Through partnerships with local institutions such as Gölcük Barbaros Hayrettin Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Gölcük Atatürk Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Yahya Kaptan Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, and Vocational Training Centers in Gölcük and İzmit, the company has provided internship opportunities to over 1,200 students.
Last year alone, more than 1,000 employees were certified through mastership equivalency training programs. Numerous mentorship, technology, and innovation initiatives supporting youth development were also launched.
Third School in Kocaeli
The Vehbi Koç Foundation, as part of its “Build, Transfer, Embrace” initiative launched in celebration of the Republic’s 75th anniversary, is building its third school in Kocaeli. This project aims to construct schools throughout Turkey and hand them over to the Ministry of National Education.
Following the establishment of the Ford Otosan Koç Middle School and Gebze Koç Middle School—both supported by Ford Otosan—the new Vehbi Koç Foundation Semahat Arsel Primary School joins the list of educational investments in the province.
The company also announced that it has begun work on a new school project in Başiskele, in coordination with the Kocaeli Governorship.
“One of the Strongest Pillars of Our Long-Term Vision”
In his speech during the ceremony, Ford Otosan General Manager Güven Özyurt emphasized that investments in education are among the strongest pillars of the company’s long-term vision.
Highlighting Ford Otosan’s 60 years of experience, Özyurt stated:
“We have worked not only to excel in the automotive sector but also to create lasting value through social investments. For us, success is not only measured by production volumes or export records. True success gains meaning through the value we add to society and the legacy we leave behind.”
Özyurt emphasized that they see Kocaeli as their home:
“This is not just a city where we manufacture—it is where we have grown, developed, and transformed into a global brand. Today, our Kocaeli plants represent Ford’s largest commercial vehicle production hub in Europe.”
He also stressed that investment in people and society is key to sustainable growth:
“This school, where many of our employees and their children will begin their educational journeys, holds special meaning for us. This project is a concrete representation of the values we believe in, our approach to sustainability, and our vision of social responsibility.”
Prioritizing Support for Education
Vehbi Koç Foundation General Manager Oğuz Toprakoğlu emphasized the foundation’s strong focus on education, stating:
“Education is the highest priority for the Vehbi Koç Foundation. In addition to the educational institutions within our foundation, we continue our efforts through scholarships and educational programs administered from our headquarters.”
He also explained that, in honor of the Republic’s 75th anniversary, the foundation began constructing educational institutions across different regions of Turkey to support eight-year compulsory education. He continued:
“We have handed over 21 schools to the Ministry of National Education under the ‘Build, Transfer, Embrace’ principle. Two of these schools are located in Kocaeli: the Ford Otosan Koç Middle School (built in 1999 with Ford Otosan’s support) and the Gebze Koç Middle School. Today, with Ford Otosan’s contributions, we are increasing this number to 22 and laying the foundation for our third school in your city. In the coming period, we will continue to increase the number of our educational institutions.”
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök