TURKSOY Ceremony

The ceremony held at the KMÜ July 15 Conference Hall was attended by Karaman Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gavgalı, TÜRKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf, provincial and university protocol, academic and administrative staff of the university and students.

The program, which started with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, continued with the viewing of TÜRKSOY's promotional film and opening speeches.

Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gavgalı stated at the beginning of his speech that TÜRKSOY has been an important organization that has strengthened the unity of hearts among the Turkic peoples since its establishment in 1993, introduced the common culture to the world and brought us together for a common future goal.

“These ties between universities in the Turkic World increase academic solidarity”

Emphasizing that KMÜ has taken important steps to strengthen academic and cultural collaborations with the Turkic World, Rector Gavgalı said, “In line with our internationalization strategy, we are carrying out academic collaborations with universities in the Turkic Republics as well as in the European Union member countries. These ties between universities in the Turkic World not only increase academic solidarity but also strengthen the unity between societies with a common history and culture. In this context, we have signed academic agreements with 18 universities from Uzbekistan, 5 from Azerbaijan, 2 from Kyrgyzstan and 1 from Kazakhstan so far. Thanks to these agreements, we are developing joint projects and increasing the sharing of knowledge and experience through student and academician exchange programs.”

Rector Gavgalı also touched on the activities within the university and said: “As a result of the strong academic relationships we have established with the Turkic Republics, we have hosted many students and academicians at our university. In this context, we hosted 16 students from Uzbekistan, 3 from Kazakhstan and 1 from Kyrgyzstan to receive education at our university. We also took our scientific collaborations further by hosting 8 academicians from Uzbekistan and 2 from Kazakhstan. We are preparing to host a group of 14 students and academicians from Razzakov Kyrgyz Technical University next March. In addition, 18 academicians and 8 students from our university went to Uzbekistan within the scope of our academic exchange programs and had scientific and cultural interactions. In order to continue such collaborations, we continue our plans for new visits from the Turkic Republics to our university. There are currently 336 students from the Turkic Republics studying at our university. I wholeheartedly believe that these academic and cultural interactions greatly contribute to our students and academicians getting to know different cultures, gaining new perspectives and developing international scientific collaborations.”

“I am very happy to be at a university named after Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey”

TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf said, “I am very happy to be with you at this university named after Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey, the capital of the Turkish language, in an institution that aims to introduce Turkish culture to the world and to Turks and to develop Turkish culture through joint efforts. The Turkish nation is a nation that has made tremendous contributions to the history of civilization throughout thousands of years and we are proud to be their children. If we separate the accumulation of Turkish civilization from the accumulation of world civilization, it is understood that there is nothing left. The geography we call the Turkish world is an area that cannot be measured or limited. Turks are a nation that challenges the geography they live in and the conditions they live in. Today, there are representatives of this civilization all over the world, but these are communities that do not disturb the peace of the place they are in. On the contrary, it is a nation that adds color, gives strength and makes life more meaningful.”

The program was held with the participation of TÜRKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf, Rector Prof. Dr. The ceremony continued with the presentation of a medal and plaque to Mehmet Gavgalı. In addition to Rector Gavgalı, medals were presented to KMÜ Faculty Members Prof. Dr. İdris Nebi Uysal and Prof. Dr. Ercan Oktay, and plaques were presented to Prof. Dr. Mehmet Mercan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Aykaç.

The program ended with a musical recital by Karamanlı Yarenler after the award ceremony.

Protocol Signed Between KMÜ and TURKSOY

TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf, who came to Karaman for the "TURKSOY Outstanding Service Medal to the Turkic World" Ceremony, visited Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gavgalı in his office.

During the visit, a protocol was signed between KMÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gavgalı and International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf to develop cooperation in academic, cultural and social areas. The protocol aims to organize joint projects and events for the protection and dissemination of cultural heritage.