Rector Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Göktaş Attended the 2024-2025 Academic Year Opening Ceremony

The 2024-2025 Higher Education Academic Year Opening Ceremony was held in Ankara, attended by universities from across Turkey. Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fahrettin GÖKTAŞ, along with Vice Rector Prof. Dr. İrfan KAYGUSUZ, faculty members, and students, participated in the ceremony, which took place at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center. The event was honored by the presence of President Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN. At the ceremony, representatives from higher education institutions gathered to mark a strong start to the new academic year. Key Messages from President Erdoğan In his speech, President Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN highlighted the remarkable transformation of higher education in Turkiye. He noted that the number of universities has increased from 76 in 2002 to 208 today, with over 7 million students currently enrolled. The budget allocated for higher education has also risen to 341 billion Turkish lira. President ERDOĞAN emphasized the vital role of academia not only in scientific development but also in the social and cultural progress of the nation, stating, "Academia is the lifeblood of both positive and social sciences, which are crucial for a country's needs." Message from YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol ÖZVAR Prof. Dr. Erol ÖZVAR, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), emphasized the importance of enhancing the research and development capacity of universities. He stated that this will elevate Turkey to a competitive global level in science and technology. Prof. Dr. ÖZVAR also pointed out that Turkey has now ranked 17th globally in scientific publications, a success that must be further advanced. Statements from Rector Prof. Dr. Fahrettin GÖKTAŞ Following the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Fahrettin GÖKTAŞ expressed that the visionary speeches from both the President and the YÖK President were highly instructive. He reaffirmed that Fırat University will continue to work diligently to elevate its academic achievements and research initiatives. "Our university will contribute to both our country and global science by increasing its scientific production capacity," he stated. Rector GÖKTAŞ also encouraged both academics and students to focus on even greater goals, emphasizing that Fırat University will maintain its leadership in education and scientific research.