Kastamonu University welcomes its new students who are starting university life in the 2026-2027 academic year with an Orientation Program. 

With the program organized under the coordination of the Career Development Application and Research Center, our new students are provided with the opportunity to get to know the academic and administrative structure of our University, as well as to learn the basic information they will need in university life and to gain insight into our University's academic activities, art, culture, and sports events. 

On September 22, 2026, the opening of the program held in the Sezai Karakoç Hall of our University Central Library was attended by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal; our Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük; faculty deans; our academic and administrative staff; and our students. 

The opening speech of the program was delivered by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal. Stating that university years are not just a period for acquiring professional knowledge, our Rector expressed that this period is a process in which students rediscover themselves, the world, and their responsibilities. Emphasizing the importance of meaning and ideals beyond the labels and forms imposed on people in daily life, our Rector drew attention to the need for students to create their own world of thought.

Stating that technology, artificial intelligence, and social media are rapidly transforming the world, our Rector expressed that students should not be left out of this transformation, saying, "We will not distance ourselves from technology." On the contrary, you will be the architects of artificial intelligence, data science, and the most advanced technologies. But do not forget that artificial intelligence can calculate everything but cannot feel anything. Algorithms can create the most perfect equations for you, but they will never teach you justice, compassion, conscience, or to empathize with another's pain.” 

Our Rector, who mentioned that likes and interactions on social media can provide temporary satisfaction, emphasized the importance of students creating permanent values and their own world of thought. "The language of the heart is esthetics; the language of the mind is wisdom." Continuing his speech with the words, "The language of the heart is esthetic; the language of the mind is wisdom," our Rector emphasized that in today's world, where accessing information has become easier, the main issue is to transform knowledge into wisdom, ethics, and social benefit.

Our Rector, emphasizing that students should consider social benefit in their professional work, stated, "When an engineer writes code, they should not only think about the efficiency of the algorithm but also whether that code serves human dignity."  

After the speech by our Rector, a general briefing about the opportunities available at our University and for students was given by Assist. Prof. Dr. Murat Konuk, Director of the Career Development Application and Research Center. Assist. Prof. Dr. Murat Konuk shared information about students' adaptation processes to university life. Prof. Dr. Konuk advised them to take advantage of our university's academic studies as well as its art, culture, and sports activities. 

As part of the program, the Coordinator of Excellence in Education, Prof. Dr. Berat Ahi, gave a presentation titled "Introduction to University Life." Stating that university education is not just about the information conveyed in classes, Prof. Dr. Ahi expressed that students should gain different perspectives during their university years and learn to ask questions and listen actively. Emphasizing that university education should develop esthetic perception and perspective in students, Prof. Dr. Ahi stated that in addition to creating knowledge, it is also important to know "what you do not know."

Prof. Dr. Ahi said, "One of the things I want university education to show you is to create knowledge." But knowing what we do not know is very difficult, especially in this period. This is because everyone thinks they know everything. However, we need to realize where we should start and what we do not know. The reason our professors often start their classes with the history and philosophy of the subject is to clarify these points. We need to see what humanity has known, what it has not known, how it has realized these things, and how the relevant field of science has developed in this area. 

After the presentations, the students participated in a quiz competition and various games. The students who ranked in the competition were awarded. In the final part of the program, the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design held a music recital.

As part of the program, students were also informed about our University's Central Library. While information was shared about the use of the library and the facilities available to students, stands were set up by the Health, Culture, and Sports Department to introduce student communities, as well as by the General Directorate of Foreign Relations, the Technology Transfer Office, İŞKUR, and Siberay. Students visited the stands and received information about the units' activities and the opportunities offered.

As part of the Orientation Program continuing on September 22-23, essential information that students will need throughout their university life will be shared by our academic and administrative staff.

In different sessions, information will be provided about our University's academic activities as well as art, culture, and sports events; topics that new students are curious about regarding university life will be addressed through presentations and activities.