As part of the 20th Anniversary events of Kastamonu University, the Career Summit, organized by our University's Software Development Community and GDG on Campus Kastamonu University with the support of the Artificial Intelligence Studies Coordination, was held on May 8, 2026, at the Hoca Ahmet Yesevi Cultural Center, where the President of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, met with students.
Our Vice Rectors, Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan, the President of the BTK, Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, the Coordinator of Artificial Intelligence Studies, Prof. Dr. Selman Tunay Kamer, as well as representatives from public institutions and organizations, numerous academics, and students attended the event.
In his opening speech at the event, Prof. Dr. Selman Tunay Kamer, Coordinator of Artificial Intelligence Studies, stated that it is of great importance for leading figures in their fields to share their experiences with students in the technology age; to develop their vision and contribute to their career journeys.
Prof. Dr. Kamer, with the studies conducted under the leadership of the Artificial Intelligence Studies Coordination at our University, we aim to create an ecosystem that can effectively evaluate artificial intelligence not only as a technological development but also across many areas, from education and research to projects and campus life.
Continuing his words by saying, "In this direction, we continue to support our students in generating ideas, developing projects, and bringing these projects to life." Prof. Dr. Kamer concluded his remarks by thanking everyone who contributed to the program's preparation.
Then, Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan, who took the floor, reminded that universities are not only institutions that transmit knowledge but also shape young people's perspectives on life, broaden their horizons, and nurture their dreams for the future, and said it is important for students to meet with prominent figures in their fields who stand out with their experience.
Emphasizing the decisive role of artificial intelligence, software, and communication technologies in the digital transformation process, Prof. Dr. Atalan stated that every training provided in this field and such meetings with industry representatives significantly contribute to students' career planning. Prof. Dr. Atalan stated that Kastamonu University will continue to prepare students for the future with its science, technology, and production-oriented educational approach.
After Prof. Dr. Atalan, BTK President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu took the floor, stating that they have been drafting regulations for the operators' working system since 2016 and that the process is now more transparent. Saying that he conveyed the message "Produce these resources in this country, develop them in this country, and develop them for the country" by imposing a requirement for operators to use local products, President Karagözoğlu stated that the obligation, which started at 30% in the early days, has now reached 52% for networks with 4.5G infrastructure, and this will be increased to 60% during the transition to 5G. President Karagözoğlu stated that the Communication Technologies Cluster was established in 2017. He reminded us that today there are over 160 companies within this structure and that these companies need software developers, emphasizing that young people need to keep up with technology and improve themselves.
President Karagözoğlu said, "A university diploma alone is no longer sufficient. We need to add value to the diploma. The difference that sets us apart from others is the training we receive, the certifications we hold, and the areas in which we develop ourselves. "An engineer is no longer limited to the field they graduated in; they are transforming into a structure that establishes, manages, and develops systems."
Stating that BTK has been carrying out important projects aimed at enhancing the competencies of young people in line with this understanding, Karagözoğlu said that the BTK Academy project, which was launched in 2017, has today become one of Türkiye’s most comprehensive digital education platforms.
Stating that training was expanded with the "1 Million Programmers" goal announced by the Presidency in 2020, Karagözoğlu noted that free training is offered in software, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, regulation, and advanced technology within the scope of BTK Academy. Karagözoğlu, noting that the platform is continually developed to meet the needs of young people, said, "This is your platform." Please give us feedback on anything you see lacking. "Our goal is to ensure that young people are better prepared for the workforce," he said.
Emphasizing that BTK Academy is not just an online education platform, Karagözoğlu stated that nearly 1,000 classroom training sessions have been conducted across approximately 69 subjects to date. Stating that the education process progresses in stages, Karagözoğlu said that students who complete the online courses can participate in advanced face-to-face training.
Focusing on sector collaborations, Karagözoğlu stated that, thanks to the sponsored training programs conducted by BTK in partnership with the private sector, the needs of programming companies are being addressed. He stated that at the end of programs in areas such as Java, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, successful students are directly included in interview processes and find employment opportunities.
Stating that they do not see BTK's activities merely as an educational endeavor, Karagözoğlu said, "We consider this as a process of providing qualified human resources to Türkiye's technology ecosystem." The program concluded with the presentation of certificates to our students who completed their training at BTK Academy, followed by a commemorative photo taken in memory of the day.
