On September 17, 2026, the "Kastamonu University Meets Its Future: Research Assistants' Meeting" program, organized by the Directorate of Excellence in Education, brought together research assistants with expert academicians in the Faculty of Theology Conference Hall.

The program was attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, Vice Rector Mehmet Atalan, Acting Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Demirbaş, Head of the Personnel Department Tayfun Tiryaki, and the Coordinator of Excellence in Education Prof. Dr. Berat Ahi, as well as the research assistants working at our University.  

In the program aimed at contributing to the academic career journeys of research assistants and supporting the development of a common academic culture, topics such as the role of research assistantship within an academic career, rights and responsibilities, scientific productivity, project and international collaboration opportunities, psychological well-being in academic life, quality in education and teaching, and academic leadership are addressed.

In his opening speech for the program, the Coordinator of Excellence in Education, Prof. Dr. Berat Ahi, stated that the future of a university is shaped not only by its current achievements but also by the academics it trains and expressed that research assistants are important representatives of the academic staff that will shape the future of our University. 

Emphasizing that being a research assistant is an important period in academic life in terms of learning, producing, taking responsibility, and forming a professional identity, Prof. Dr. Ahi said, "We hope that this meeting will not only be an event where knowledge is gained but also an inspiring beginning that will contribute to the creation of a common academic culture."

Then, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, emphasized that research assistants are among the important actors in the university's future. Stating that research assistants are not merely young academics working within the current academic framework, our Rector expressed that they see them as the future faculty members, researchers, and academic leaders of the university.

All stages of academic life are valuable; however, I believe that becoming a research assistant is the most important step of this trip. These are the years when a person experiences both student and academic life simultaneously, develops their own thesis and academic identity, and creates their academic vision and sense of belonging. Using the statement, our Rector stated that being a research assistant is a unique phase in academic life in which the processes of learning and producing are carried out concurrently. 

Our rector stated that the habits acquired by research assistants, from work discipline to scientific ethical sensitivity, from relationships with students and colleagues to research culture, will also be reflected in the later stages of their academic lives.

In the meeting, our Rector emphasized the importance of participation in nationally and internationally funded projects and being more active in global research networks, in addition to scientific research and quality publications, as the fundamental contributions expected from research assistants. He expressed that they want to see research assistants as "academics who are scientifically productive, strong in education, and contribute to the institutional culture."

The program continued with presentations and sessions aimed at the academic development of research assistants, following a speech by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal.

Continuing the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Demirbaş will present "Research Assistantship: Rights, Responsibilities, and the Realities of Academic Life," and Prof. Dr. Osman Kesbiç will present "The Culture of Scientific Productivity: Why is Researching Not a Career, but a Way of Life?" Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökhan Kaya will present "The Academician Opening to the World: Erasmus, Projects, and International Collaborations," and Assoc. Prof. Prof. Dr. Mutluhan Ersoy will present "Well-Being in Academia: Psychological Resilience and Healthy Academic Life."

At the closing of the program, Prof. Dr. Berat Ahi, the Coordinator of Excellence in Education, will deliver a closing speech and evaluation titled "Building the Future: From Research Assistant to Academic Leader."