It was a pleasure to attend the Western Sydney University School of Social Sciences Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, 26 October 2024. Graduation is a significant milestone for our students, their families and supporters. It is an opportunity to celebrate our graduating students' hard work, commitment and achievements, and marks both the end of an educational journey and the beginning of a lifetime of learning. Over 100 students attended receiving Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Humanities and Development Studies, Master of International Criminology, Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling, Master in Urban Management and Planning, Bachelor of Criminology, Bachelor of Cyber Security and Behaviour, Bachelor of Social Studies and many other Social Science degrees.

In her address, the University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO pointed out that Western Sydney University is a world-class university, globally recognised for its research strengths and innovations in teaching. Ranked in the top two per cent of universities in the world, WSU is globally focused, research-led, and committed to making a positive impact on
the communities we engage with.

Working as a Western Sydney University Professor and Director responsible for Equity and Diversity issues (2006-2020) I am particularly proud that Western Sydney University has
been named number one in the world in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) UniversityImpact Rankings, topping the world’s leading university sustainability ranking for an unprecedented three years in a row. Western Sydney University placed first overall in Australia and internationally for its social, economic and environmental impact in the prestigious annual rankings, competing against more than 1,900 higher education institutions from 125 countries. The Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings is the main global ranking system that comprehensively assesses universities on their commitment to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Rankings
are based on universities’ teaching, research, outreach and stewardship.

As well as the overall world number-one ranking, the University was recognised in the following SDG categories:
. 1st in the world for SDG 5 Gender Equality;
. 3rd in the world for SDG 15 Life on Land;
. 4th in the world for SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals;
. 8th in the world for SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities;
. 9th in the world for SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation.

2024-10-26 WSU Graduation Ceremony

I am deeply saddened by the departure of Mr Fethullah Gülen, a community teacher, noted religious and intellectual thinker advocating compassion, respect, international peace and intercultural dialogue, and spiritual leader of Hizmet. Mr Gülen departed on October 20, 2024 in Pennsylvania, USA, where he spent the last years of his life. I had a privilege to visit him at the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania retreat centre a few years ago. His impact will be felt for generations. 
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Who Was Fethullah Gülen?
(Text prepared by Peace Islands Institute of New York)
Fethullah Gülen was a Muslim scholar, preacher and social advocate, whose decades-long commitment to education, altruistic community service, and interfaith harmony has inspired millions in Turkey and around the world. Described as one of the world’s most influential Muslim intellectuals, Mr. Gülen has dedicated his life to interfaith and intercultural dialogue, community service, and providing access to quality education. Mr. Gülen rejuvenated the spirit of interfaith dialogue in his home country, Turkey, and strongly advocated for pro-democracy, equal oportunity, pro- science, and non-violent stances. His lifelong work on interfaith cooperation has earned him recognition from faith leaders worldwide and a personal audience with the late Pope John Paul II in 1998.
During his last years Gulen became a target of the autocratic Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who falsely blamed Mr. Gülen for a horrific coup attempt in 2016. Mr. Gülen’s earlier support for Erdogan was predicated on Erdogan’s stated commitment to pushing Turkey toward the European Union as a democratic candidate country. As Erdogan made a U-turn from his earlier promises and moved instead toward autocracy, Mr.Gülen withdrew his support and Erdogan began a campaign of repression and persecution that continues against Hizmet supporters to this day.
He was among the first Muslim leaders to publicly condemn the 9/11 attacks and condemned ISIS in 2014 via public ads in major US newspapers. His efforts have been praised by other global leaders who recognize his vital role in fostering mutual understanding and peace as well as his leadership in humanitarian initiatives. He is the recipient of New York-based East West nstitute’s 2011 peace award.In 2013, Mr. Gülen was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people and received Korea’s 2013 Manhae Peace Prize. The Martin Luther King International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, honored Gülen’s lifetime contributions to peace with the 2015 Gandhi King Ikeda Peace Award.
Gülen was listed among the top 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People by the UK-based Mind, Body and Spirit Magazine in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Gülen was listed in the Preachers and Spiritual Guides of the Muslim 500, published by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Jordan, in 2018, 2022, and 2023. Gülen was nominated multiple times for the Nobel peace prize by social scientists who studied his life and works.

For further information about Gülen please visit https://afsv.org/about- us/fethullah-gulen/
For further information about the Hizmet movement please visit https://afsv.org/.