The advisory board meeting organized by Kastamonu University was held on October 2, 2026, in our University's Senate Hall under the title "Student-Friendly City Kastamonu." 

The meeting was attended by Kastamonu Governor Meftun Dallı, our Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, Deputy Mayor Eda Büyükdemirci Livan, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan and Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük, Acting Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Demirbaş, Technokent General Manager Prof. Dr. Alperen Kaymakcı, as well as managers from public institutions, representatives from the business world, and representatives from non-governmental organizations. 

During the meeting, the needs of students in the areas of transportation, accommodation, nutrition, security, social and cultural aspects, health, career, and employment were evaluated, and the works that could be done to help students adapt more easily to city life and establish a connection with Kastamonu were discussed. Opinions and suggestions were shared on topics such as improving transportation and social facilities for students, increasing interaction between businesses and institutions in the city and students, and diversifying internship and vocational training opportunities in businesses.

The meeting also included evaluations on improving cooperation between universities, public institutions, local governments, the business world, tradespeople, and non-governmental organizations. 

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, our Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal stated that the main purpose of the meeting was to transform Kastamonu from merely being a city with a university into a "Student-Friendly City" where students can feel safe and at peace. 

Our Rector emphasized that the thousands of students educated by our university and currently studying are an important part of Kastamonu's socio-economic and cultural structure, and that university education does not take place only within the campus boundaries. Our Rector, stating that the time students spend in the city is also a part of the university experience, emphasized the importance of evaluating the opportunities in the city according to the students' needs so that they can be more involved in city life and establish a stronger bond with Kastamonu. 

Our Rector, stating that the "Student-Friendly City" goal cannot be achieved solely through the university administration's efforts, stressed the necessity of support from local governments, public institutions, tradespeople and artisans, the business world, and non-governmental organizations. Emphasizing the importance of developing city-wide support for students' needs in various areas such as transportation, accommodation, nutrition, social and cultural activities, health, safety, and career, our Rector stated that the opportunities for internships and vocational training in businesses, which would allow students to gain work experience before graduation, should be increased. In this context, he stated that involving businesses in the city and Kastamonu entrepreneurs operating outside of Kastamonu in the process could contribute to the professional development of students and their employment after graduation. 

At the meeting, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük gave a presentation on the needs and expectations of students in city life. In the presentation, the expectations of students in different areas, primarily regarding transportation, nutrition, relations with tradespeople, social and cultural activities, security, health, and career support, were addressed, and solution proposals were shared. Prof. Dr. Küçük also provided information about the efforts carried out by our University to enhance the city-university collaboration. 

Kastamonu Governor Meftun Dallı stated that students are an important part of the social and economic life of Kastamonu. Emphasizing the importance of addressing the needs of students in the city through the cooperation of relevant institutions and organizations, Governor Dallı stated that, in addition to basic needs such as transportation, accommodation, nutrition, and security, the expectations of students regarding their social lives should also be considered.

Governor Dallı stated that it is important for the relevant institutions to carry out studies addressing the needs of students within their areas of responsibility and to ensure inter-institutional coordination. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between universities, public institutions, and local governments in meeting students' expectations regarding city life.

Kastamonu Deputy Mayor Eda Büyükdemirci Livan stated that they are carrying out studies in line with the needs and expectations of the students. Stating that they are working on digital solutions that will make city life easier for students, especially in transportation, Büyükdemirci Livan drew attention to the importance of improving the bond between university students and the city.

Büyükdemirci Livan stated that the events held at the University should reach the city residents more and that the activities of student communities should become visible throughout the city. Stating that the integration of students with the city is important for Kastamonu, Büyükdemirci Livan expressed that the cooperation between the university and the municipality should be improved in this regard. 

The President of the Provincial General Assembly, Doğan Ünlü, shared his suggestions for solutions to the basic needs of students, primarily transportation and nutrition. Recommending that public transportation options and schedules be evaluated according to students' needs, Ünlü stated that various discounts could be provided through student ID cards with the cooperation of tradespeople and relevant institutions.  

Stating that students' increased participation in social, cultural, and sports activities and their recognition of Kastamonu's historical and natural values would contribute to their connection with the city, Ünlü also noted that enhancing internship and vocational training opportunities in businesses is important for students to gain work experience before graduation. He suggested that business people from Kastamonu and businesses in the city should be included in these processes.

The meeting concluded with mutual evaluations after the participants shared their views, suggestions, and expectations regarding students' urban life. In the discussions, proposals for improving city-university cooperation and providing more support to students in areas such as transportation, nutrition, social and cultural activities, as well as internships and vocational training in businesses were addressed.