The Academic and Administrative Centers Workshop of the Western Black Sea Universities Association (WBSUA), hosted by Kocaeli University, began with an opening ceremony held at the Kartepe Park Hotel. The workshop was attended by rectors, vice-rectors, general secretaries, department heads, and directors from universities that are members of the BKÜB.

 The opening program began with the Turkish National Anthem and a moment of silence, followed by speeches from Kocaeli University Secretary General Associate Professor Dr. Mustafa Eren and Kocaeli University Continuing Education Center Director Professor Dr. Arif Özkan. In the discussions, it was emphasized that inter-university collaborative studies, experience sharing, and correct employment policies play a strategic role in the development of higher education.

Within the scope of the workshop, tables were set up under the headings of Continuing Education Centers, Technology Transfer Offices, International Relations Units, General Secretariats, Personnel Department Heads, and Economic Enterprises, and good practices, collaborations, encountered problems, and solution suggestions were discussed.

 kPrior to the meeting, the rectors of the universities that are members of BKÜB gathered, hosted by the Rector of Kocaeli University, Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk. During the meeting, where an information presentation about Kocaeli University was given in the Senate Hall, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, who is the current President of BKÜB, thanked Prof. Dr. Cantürk for their hospitality, interest, and warm welcome.

Our rector emphasized that the work carried out under the umbrella of the union will contribute on a regional and national scale. The meeting was attended by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, who is the current President of the Black Sea Universities Union, as well as the Rectors of Bartın University, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akkaya; Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Prof. Dr. Zafer Asım Kaplancıklı; Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, Prof. Dr. İsmail Boz; Çankırı Karatekin University, Prof. Dr. Mevlüt Karataş; Düzce University, Prof. Dr. Nedim Sözbir; Sinop University, Prof. Dr. Şakir Taşdemir; Kocaeli University of Health and Technology, Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Elmas; Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sarıbıyık; Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer; Yalova University, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bahçekapılı; and Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Samettin Gündüz.

Following the meeting, the program continued with a visit to the Science Park and the Career and Innovation Center.

The closing session of the workshop was held at the Kartepe Park Hotel. Speaking here, the Rector of Kocaeli University, Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk, emphasized the importance of inter-university cooperation and common sense, stating, "The Western Black Sea Universities Union is not just a platform for solidarity, but also an institutionalized example of joint production."

The ideas and suggestions put forward today will shed light on joint projects to be carried out in the coming period. This synergy we will create together will make valuable contributions to the development of our region and our country. "he said.

The program concluded with a group photo taken with the rectors of member universities and participants.