Kastamonu University hosted the Kastamonu Coordination Meeting, where studies on the city's tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, and social development potential were evaluated. The event was held on November 6, 2025, in the Senate Hall of our University. 

The meeting, hosted by our Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, was attended by Kastamonu Deputy Governor Aydın Ergün, Istanbul AK Party MP Hulusi Şentürk, Former Minister Murat Başesgioğlu, Kastamonu Deputy Mayor Hasan Fehmi Taş, Kastamonu Coordination Center 1st Term President Ender Yılmaz, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Orhan Kandemir, Faculty of Tourism Dean Prof. Dr. Burhan Sevim, Technology Transfer Office and Kastamonu Technopark Inc. General Manager Prof. Dr. Alperen Kaymakcı, Forestry and Nature Tourism Specialization Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emre Birinci, representatives of public institutions and non-governmental organizations, and stakeholders from various sectors.

Ender Yılmaz, the 1st Term President of the Kastamonu Coordination Center, who delivered the opening speech of the meeting, stated that this meeting marked the first concrete step taken after the decision to establish a "Coordination Council" was made at the Istanbul Chamber of Industry on June 24, 2025. 

In his speech, President Yılmaz emphasized, "At our meeting, we will highlight the need to make results-oriented decisions with established timelines on the main axes that will shape the future of Kastamonu. We believe that opinions should focus on new strategies and priority issues. Today, we are taking an important step together that will build the future of Kastamonu. He used the expressions. 

Following Yılmaz, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, addressed the participants, providing information about the academic and social work carried out by our University.

Emphasizing the importance of inter-institutional coordination for Kastamonu to achieve its development goals, our Rector stated, "As a university, we will continue to contribute to the development of our city in terms of knowledge, research, and human resources." 

Our Rector stated that Kastamonu University, with over 26,000 students, has become one of the pioneers of regional development, and expressed that the "International Cooperation Award" given by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in 2025 is a testament to this success. 

Our rector concluded his speech by saying, "Our university is not just an institution that produces knowledge; it has become a center that transforms knowledge into society, industry, technology, and the economy, developing innovative solutions. For the development of Kastamonu, the cooperation between the public sector, the private sector, and the university needs to be strengthened. He continued, saying, "This meeting is a great opportunity to shape the future of our province with common sense." 

Our Rector also touched upon our university's investments in the healthcare field, stating that Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital serves the people of Kastamonu within the scope of the affiliation protocol signed with the Ministry of Health. Additionally, he announced that work has begun to establish a university hospital in the coming period. 

Our Rector stated that our University contributes to the city's development goals as a specialized university in the field of "Forestry and Nature Tourism," and that they are conducting high-quality cooperation with the region's industry through Kastamonu Technopark and the Technology Transfer Office. He emphasized that our university also plays a leading role in social responsibility projects nationwide. 

Our Rector also addressed the issue of finding qualified personnel in the private sector, stating that the private sector's support is needed for students' internships within the 7+1 education system to adapt to the industry, and concluded his remarks. 

Following the Rector's speech, Deputy Governor Aydın Ergün took the floor, stating that Governor Meftun Dallı was unable to attend the meeting due to a loss incident in the Bozkurt district. He added, "Our esteemed Governor places great importance on planning the future and values of the province together." As the governorship, we continue to contribute during the discussion of agenda items. I hope our meeting will lead to good things, "he said. 

Speaking at the event, former Minister Murat Başesgioğlu emphasized the importance of transportation in Kastamonu's development process, stating that future investments in transportation would greatly add value to the city. 

Deputy Mayor Hasan Fehmi Taş, who attended the event, provided information to the participants about the municipality's current services and the projects planned for Kastamonu in the future. 

At the meeting, representatives from the public, private sector, and non-governmental organizations evaluated projects that will contribute to the economic, cultural, and social development of Kastamonu. Participants shared information about the ongoing efforts to increase the province's tourism potential, strengthen agricultural development, and address infrastructure and logistics issues. Additionally, the progress of projects in the investment program and new cooperation opportunities were also discussed. 

At the end of the meeting, the participants agreed to increase inter-institutional cooperation for the effective sustainability of projects being carried out throughout the province.