As a respite from a daylong series of meetings at Stanford University, Turkish president Abdullah Gül and First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül visited the Hoover Tower on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, for a bird's-eye view of the campus and the Bay Area. Hoover fellow Condoleezza Rice escorted the president to the observation deck, which stands 280 feet above ground. Completed in 1941, the Hoover Tower is a university and local icon.
President since 2007, Gul also served as Turkey's prime minister from 2002 to 2003. As prime minister, “he was immediately faced with difficult issues, such as the crisis in Iraq and the conflict in Cyprus. Gül implemented an Economical Emergency Action Plan, which has been instrumental in maintaining economic stability. Gül also played a significant role in the Iraq crisis by initiating the Iraq’s Neighboring Countries Process. He also chaired the Supreme Council for Countering Terrorism, the Reform Monitoring Group and headed the European Union negotiations delegation during his time as prime minister” (adapted from Stanford News Services).
“First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül wholeheartedly believes that the family, based upon compassion, tribute and solidarity, is the primary element among the very values that hold the public together and carry them into the future. She also believes that the greatest accomplishment in life is having a family whose members respect and stand by each other. She treasures her family above all. She always corroborates her spouse and guides her children, preparing them for life. She has also engaged the Education Enables Project, which aims to raise public awareness that disabled people can be active and useful in every segment of society under her patronage” (adapted from Stanford News Services).
President Gul and several members of the delegation discussed enhancing technology and innovation in Turkey. He also met with the provost and gave a speech at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. The Stanford visit is sponsored by the Center for Global Business and the Economy at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Click here to watch a video or to read about Gül's visit in the Stanford Report.
