Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Rengin Ak, attended the Opening Ceremony of the 2025–2026 Academic Year, which was held under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The ceremony took place at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center with the participation of the President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, university rectors, and—representing our university—Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Eylem Özkaya Lassalle, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences Prof. Dr. Süleyman Kale, Director of Pınarhisar Vocational School Dr. Can Demirel, academic staff members, and students from our Faculties of Law, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Engineering, and Tourism.
In his speech, YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated, “One of our key priorities for the upcoming period will be the expansion of the workplace-based practical education model to include both associate and undergraduate degree programs.”
He also emphasized that, to express solidarity with the people of Palestine, this year’s academic opening ceremonies and inaugural lectures at all universities included significant discussions on Gaza and Palestine, and expressed his hope for the permanence of the ceasefire agreement expected to take effect in Gaza.
In his address, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, “I hope the 2025–2026 Higher Education Academic Year will bring prosperity to our lecturers, students, and all university personnel, as well as to our nation. I sincerely believe that both our professors and students will make the most of this new academic year in the best and most productive way, and I wish each of them success. I also congratulate our scholars and universities who will receive the 2025 Council of Higher Education Outstanding Achievement Awards. At the outset of my remarks, I would like to express my heartfelt joy regarding the encouraging news we received last night and today from Sharm El-Sheikh.”
The ceremony also featured evaluations on strengthening the quality of higher education, supporting scientific research, and enhancing the role of universities within the framework of the “Century of Türkiye” vision
KLU
