Our university welcomed the 2025–2026 academic year with the ‘Welcome Festival,’ which attracted significant interest from students. Held on the university campus, the festival featured events throughout the day, creating both enjoyable and meaningful moments.

 

As part of the festival, student societies and academic departments set up stands with the aim of helping new students settle into university life more easily. Students learned about society activities at the stands while enjoying various games, competitions and surprise events. Live concerts, traditional games and cultural events held throughout the day added colour to the campus.

 

OUR RECTOR: ‘YOU ARE THE UNIVERSITY'S GREATEST SOURCE OF MOTIVATION’

 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, our Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Nuri Çelik emphasised that the new academic year had begun with enthusiasm and stated that students were the university's greatest source of motivation. Çelik said, ‘Each new term is a process where hopes are renewed and journeys to success begin anew. You are the architects of our future.’ In one part of his speech, he drew attention to the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza, calling for the protection of civilians, the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, and the establishment of peace, and thanked everyone who contributed to the event.

 

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Osman Nuri Çelik, and the university administration accompanying him visited the student stands in the festival area, chatting with the students and reiterating their support for their ideas and projects.

 

First Lecture: ‘Human Rights Violations in Gaza’

 

The academic part of the festival featured a presentation entitled ‘First Lecture: Human Rights Violations in Gaza’. In the lecture, delivered by Associate Professor Muhammet Hüseyin Çetin, the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the genocide debates dominating the international public agenda were discussed. Çetin illustrated the rights violations suffered by civilians with examples, drawing on historical context; he emphasised the universality of human rights and stressed the need for students to raise their awareness on this issue. The presentation made an important contribution to the young people's awareness of not only academic but also social and humanitarian responsibilities.

 

Informative events were also held by the NARKOTİM and SİBERAY teams to contribute to raising awareness among young people. Students gained awareness on the issues of combating drugs and digital security.

 

As part of orientation training, our University's Student Affairs, Library and Documentation, Health, Culture and Sports Directorate Presidencies, the International Relations Unit, the Career Centre, the Psychological Counselling and Guidance Application and Research Centre, Student Societies, and external stakeholders including units affiliated with Konya Metropolitan Municipality, the Employment Agency (İŞKUR), units affiliated with the Provincial Security Directorate, as well as Yeşilay and Kızılay, set up stands and carried out information activities.

 

One of the most exciting moments of the festival was the celebration of the 12 awards won by our student teams at TEKNOFEST 2025. The student teams invited to the stage received loud applause, and their achievements were proudly shared.

 

Cultural and artistic events added a special touch to the festival. The zeybek dance performance by the Anadolu Kafkas Kartalları Topluluğu, the music recital by folk singer Yağız Ozan, and the concerts by the groups NAB, PANZEHİR, and TEKYÖN provided students with unforgettable moments. The campus was filled with music and excitement throughout the day.

 

The event, which provided an energetic and hopeful start to the new term, was attended by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Osman Nuri Çelik, along with our Vice Rectors, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Deveci and Prof. Dr. Ali Köken, TBMYO Deputy Directors Lecturer Dr. Ali Sait Özer and Lecturer Dr. Mehmet Balcı, General Secretary Kamil Gök, academic and administrative staff, and a large number of students.

 

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this event, especially the Directorate of Health, Culture and Sports and the Student Communities Coordination Office, as well as all those who participated.

 

 

Konya Technical University KTUN