The opening ceremony for the 2025-2026 academic year at Kastamonu University was held in the Central Library Sezai Karakoç Hall with the participation of Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı and many attendees.
Before the opening ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı, visited our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, in his office. Before the visit, Minister Yumaklı signed our University's Honor Book. During the meeting, our Rector informed the Esteemed Minister about the scientific projects carried out by our University, our strategic goals, and the studies contributing to regional development.
After the meeting, the ceremony began. The program was attended by Minister Yumaklı, as well as Kastamonu Governor Meftun Dallı, AK Party Kastamonu MPs Halil Uluay and F. Serap Ekmekci, our Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, provincial officials, institution heads, academics, and students.
The program, which began with a moment of silence and the national anthem, continued with viewing our University's trailer. The event then continued with a musical performance by students from the Department of Musicology, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Sıtkı Akarsu, a faculty member in the Department of Musicology at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design.
In his opening speech, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, stated that they have begun the 2025-2026 academic year with over 26,000 students, 973 academic and 715 administrative staff, 15 faculties, a graduate school institute, two colleges, 13 vocational schools, Teknokent, the Technology Transfer Center, the Central Research Laboratory, and other units.
Our University will celebrate its 20th anniversary this academic year.
Our Rector stated that the university, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary this academic year, has reached the highest level of institutionalization, and that significant progress has been made in education and training, research and development, quality and accreditation processes, internationalization, regional development and specialization, social responsibility studies, and physical infrastructure. Additionally, our Rector reminded us that the Faculty of Medicine, which adds value to the city, will graduate its first students this year, and announced that the construction of the Faculty of Dentistry has reached completion and the buildings will be put into service next year. In addition, he noted that the Central Research Laboratory, accredited by the Turkish Accreditation Institution, provides over 50 testing and analysis services.
Green and Digital Transformation with New Academic Programs
Reminding us that interest and need for artificial intelligence applications have increased with green and digital transformation, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal stated, "We opened new departments in areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence, unmanned vehicle technician, digital agricultural technologies, water and waste management technician, nature conservation and biodiversity management in 2025, and we accepted our first students in the 2025-2026 academic year."
Our Rector also touched upon the University's quality and accreditation efforts, highlighting that the University won first place in the "Inspiring Public Administration Project Awards" organized by the Turkish Quality Association in 2024. He stated that the number of accredited programs has increased to 14 as of 2025, that the University won first place in Türkiye with 38 flags in the YÖK Barrier-Free University Awards through barrier-free campus studies, and that our University has earned the title of "Sports-Friendly Campus" within the scope of the project carried out to promote healthy living and sports culture in universities.
From Establishment to Date: 173 Patent/Utility Model/Design Applications, 73 Registrations
Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal stated that approximately 900 projects have been supported in the last five years within the scope of TÜBİTAK 2209-A Student Projects, and that our students won awards in various categories at the Reaching Accessible Türkiye 2053 R&D Idea Competition organized by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and at TEKNOFEST. He also noted that academic publications have nearly doubled in the last six years, adding, "The number of our patent, utility model, and industrial design applications has reached 173 since the establishment of our university, and 73 of these have been registered."
Referring to the achievements of academics in national and international rankings, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, reminded that Kastamonu University has been included in world rankings such as THE, QS, URAP World, US News, Webometrics, and RUR for the past three years.
"We are trying to support regional development with our projects."
In his speech, our Rector emphasized that academics continue their work on postgraduate theses, scientific research projects, social responsibility projects, regional development and specialization projects, and address the problems of our city and region. Our Rector stated, "Our University, which specializes in Forestry and Nature Tourism, is working in line with this mission to support our city and regional development; in this context, 61 regional development-focused specialization projects are being carried out. Within the scope of specialization and regional development studies, collaborations have been established with public, private sector, industry, business world, and NGOs; numerous consultancy services have been provided in the field of specialization; and quality workforce training has been offered to the region's residents, "he continued.
"Palestine will one day be the home of peace, compassion, and human dignity again."
At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal touched upon the oppression suffered by the Palestinian people, saying, "We believe with the utmost conviction that Jerusalem, Gaza, and all of Palestine will one day be free again, and on that day, Hanzala's face will turn toward us." Just as in the past, Palestine, especially Jerusalem and Gaza, will one day once again be a land of peace, compassion, and human dignity from the river to the sea; and the Palestinian people will live freely and independently on their own land. What's important is where we stand in this process, what we do or don't like about ants. Our state, especially our esteemed President, has strongly supported the just cause of Palestine and the Palestinian people from the very beginning of the process, and continues to be the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people. We, too, are trying to stand by our brothers and sisters to the best of our ability and continue to support them, taking our place on the side of justice, not power, "he concluded.
Following the Rector's speech, AK Party Kastamonu MP F. Serap Ekmekci took the stage and stated that Kastamonu University not only contributes significantly to the academic field but also plays a significant role in the development and progress of Kastamonu and the region, and that it sometimes serves as a key player in many areas, from industry to tourism, and from sports to health. MP Ekmekci said, "I am confident that we will go a long way together under the guidance of science and reason, and will take our Kastamonu beyond our goals. She concluded her remarks by saying.
Following AK Party Kastamonu MP Ekmekci, Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı took the podium. He began his speech by wishing the new academic year well for all students, academics, and the university community. Minister Yumaklı stated that the importance of science and knowledge in our country's journey toward achieving the Türkiye Century goal cannot be denied. Therefore, Kastamonu University, with all its units, is one of the essential institutions that sheds light on our country's future. Minister Yumaklı said, "When the world is undergoing rapid change and transformation, our country needs to be strong in every field. Thanks to you, we look to the future with more confidence. Because I wholeheartedly believe that the vision of the Turkish Century will be built with the determination and faith of our brilliant young people.
Our greatest hope for the future of our country is that you will transfer your achievements here to the field with a spirit of research and entrepreneurial courage. I am confident that you will play an active role in all areas of our country, especially in the economy, politics, technology, trade, and agriculture, in the coming period, "he continued, saying.
Minister Yumaklı stated that Türkiye is located at a strategic point where the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa meet, and that with just a 4-hour flight, access can be gained to 40% of the world's population and a market worth 9 trillion dollars. He added, "Thanks to intercontinental land, air, sea connections, and energy routes, our Türkiye is positioned to be a safe investment port." Istanbul is a global brand, especially in air transportation. This potential requires skilled labor in all areas, especially in agricultural production. He said, "..."
In his speech, the Minister said, "We are mobilizing all our resources to ensure your success. We know that our greatest wealth and potential lies in you, our youth, and that's why we want to see young people achieve many entrepreneurial successes in different fields by providing all these advantages and opportunities. This potential will grow even further in the coming years. Being in important positions with this potential requires going through University. Today, Türkiye's strength is growing daily, from the economy to education and diplomacy to the defense industry. Behind this growth lies your determination and vision, our young people. He touched upon the role of young people in building the future, saying,".
Reminding us that our country is strong and that agriculture is a sector of strategic importance, just like the defense industry, Minister Yumaklı stated that the importance of agricultural production needs will increase even further with the growing population in the future. In his speech, the Minister said, "We can only meet this need by increasing the entrepreneurial spirit of our youth and our R&D and innovation capacity, because many reasons push us toward technology in production. We define these reasons as the 'new normal'. In a very challenging process, in a high-risk period, we need to continuously produce more efficiently. It is an unavoidable necessity for us to use technology as a shield against these risks," he continued. Additionally, the Minister emphasized that the technologies and innovations seen at TEKNOFEST will also illuminate the agricultural sector's future.
Minister Yumaklı stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry supports many projects and that many people benefit from them, adding, "If you have an idea or a dream about agricultural production, come and let's make it a reality together. As the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, I want you to know I am behind you in achieving your dreams. We have an Agriculture and Forestry Youth Council consisting of 30 young people from 30 fields of agriculture in 30 provinces. We also consult with them when formulating our policies. Just as we stand behind them, we also hope to stand behind you. " We are inviting young entrepreneurs to present their projects to the Ministry.
Minister Yumaklı said, "Don't go for the easy path; choose the difficult one. Forget about popularity, chase value. Break the mold, always be innovative. Transform agricultural production with technology. Combine information technology and agriculture to establish smart farming initiatives, bringing together the land and technology. He continued by saying, "Every step you take in this field is a strategic investment that will bring prosperity to you and your country," and then explained the five principles that will shape the steps students will take in the future.
Minister Yumaklı said they launched a nationwide Green Homeland Mobilization due to the forest fires experienced in 2025. They also emphasized that they aim to plant 550 million saplings and seeds nationwide on November 11th, National Tree Planting Day, within a year. As part of the Green Homeland Mobilization, he concluded his speech by asking the participants in the event to adopt or donate saplings to become a breath for the future.
As part of the Green Homeland Mobilization, he concluded his speech by asking the participants in the event to adopt or donate saplings to become a breath for the future.
