Hosted by Kastamonu University and organized by the Institute of Graduate Studies of our University, the 12. International History Education Symposium started with the participation of academicians, researchers, teachers and students.

The opening program of the symposium, which was chaired by Vice Rector and Director of the Institute of Graduate Studies Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı, was attended by Kastamonu Provincial Director of National Education Hasan Gümüş, Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kaçar, Deputy Secretary General of our University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Demirbaş, academicians, researchers, teachers and students.

The program started with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem.

Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı: “We are the heirs of an ancient tradition”

Delivering the opening speech, Vice Rector and Director of the Institute of Graduate Studies Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı stated that symposiums play an important function in terms of sharing scientific knowledge in the field of history education and developing new academic collaborations.

Stating that the tradition of the International History Education Symposium started about 16 years ago, Kaymakcı expressed his satisfaction that the 12th meeting of this tradition, which is continued with the contributions of different universities, was hosted by our University.

Pointing out that although there are a limited number of departments in the field of history education in Turkey, organizing such a comprehensive symposium requires significant effort and academic ownership, Kaymakcı said that the event is also valuable in terms of bringing students from different education levels together with scientists.

Stating that young people play an important role in transferring the tradition of history education from the past to the future, Kaymakcı emphasized that it is of great importance for high school and secondary school students as well as undergraduate and graduate students to participate in scientific activities.

Referring to the historical and cultural background of Kastamonu, Kaymakcı stated that the city's deep-rooted educational and cultural tradition made hosting the symposium even more meaningful. Sharing examples from the verses of İhsan Ozanoğlu, who describes the historical texture of Kastamonu, Kaymakcı stated that our University is the heir of this ancient tradition.

Stating that approximately 94 papers will be presented and nearly 150 participants will take part within the scope of the symposium, Kaymakcı said that scientific sessions will be held on different subjects, especially history education and history of education, for two days.

After the opening speech, our University Musicology Department Lecturer. A music concert prepared with the contributions of the department team was held under the coordination of Ömer Gökhan.

Provincial Director of National Education Hasan Gümüş: “Generations that read the past correctly can construct the future correctly”

Speaking after the music concert, Kastamonu Provincial Director of National Education Hasan Gümüş drew attention to the importance of raising students as individuals who have national and spiritual values and are also aware of today's technological developments.

Stating that reading the past correctly is of great importance in terms of constructing the future correctly, Gümüş stated that history education contributes to students establishing strong ties with their past and developing a vision for the future based on these ties.

Gümüş stated that under the guidance of educators, they aim to raise students as individuals who will contribute to the future of Turkey by building strong bridges between the past and the future.

Stating that he believes that the ideas, new perspectives and perspectives that will emerge within the scope of the symposium will make significant contributions to the future of the students and the country, Gümüş thanked the Rector of Kastamonu University, vice-rectors, deans, academicians, researchers and all participants who contributed to the organization of the symposium.

After Hasan Gümüş, Provincial Director of National Education, the invited speaker of the symposium, Prof. Dr. Lale Yıldırım gave a speech titled “History and Identity in Migrant Society”. In her speech, Yıldırım discussed the relationship between history and identity in immigrant societies and touched upon the role of historical awareness in the formation of social identity.

After lunch, the symposium continued with the “History of Education from Tradition to the Future” panel moderated by Prof. Dr. Bahri Ata. In the panel, Prof. Dr. Hasan Akgündüz, Prof. Dr. Filiz Meşeci-Giorgetti, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ergün and Prof. Dr. Cemil Öztürk made evaluations on the development of the history of education from the past to the present and its reflections on the future.

The Symposium Will Continue for Two Days

In the symposium, which will continue for two days, academicians, researchers, teachers and students from Turkey and different countries will present papers on the present and future of history education.

Within the scope of the program, a session will also be held to discuss the studies carried out within the framework of the European Union and Horizon projects. In the session, where experiences for the development of research projects will be shared, it is planned to convey the knowledge and experience of academicians and researchers regarding the project preparation processes.

On the third day of the symposium, a city tour of Kastamonu will be organized for the participants. Within the scope of the trip, the prominent places of Kastamonu in terms of historical and cultural heritage will be visited. Participants will also be able to get to know the living heritage of the city and the city archive works.