October 6, 2025

President of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) Erol Özvar visited Trabzon to attend the 2025–2026 Academic Year Opening Ceremony of Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) and to hold a series of official meetings. He was accompanied by Prof. Hüseyin Karaman, CoHE Executive Board member.

Özvar first met with KTÜ Rector Prof. Hamdullah Çuvalcı, receiving information about the university’s academic projects and research activities. Following the meeting, he inaugurated the “Energy-Efficient Composite Materials Laboratory” at the Faculty of Engineering.

This year’s academic opening lecture at KTÜ was titled “Humanity’s Test: Gaza.” During the ceremony held at the Prof. Osman Turan Culture and Congress Center, Özvar strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza, describing them as acts that have reached the level of genocide. He urged university leaders and academics to draw attention to this humanitarian tragedy in their international academic circles, expressing his heartfelt hope that “our Palestinian brothers and sisters will one day live safely and independently in their own lands.”

Özvar also elaborated on CoHE’s 2030 Vision, emphasizing goals such as enhancing quality assurance processes, advancing digital transformation, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and ensuring universities play an active role in science diplomacy.

Highlighting the upcoming implementation of the workplace-based learning model, Özvar noted that both vocational schools and undergraduate programs would integrate students’ academic education with real-world professional experience. He explained that CoHE prioritizes equipping graduates with the knowledge, skills, and competencies demanded by the labor market and that program quotas are now being aligned with Türkiye’s employment needs.

Underscoring CoHE’s commitment to internationalization, Özvar referenced the vision put forth by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, noting that joint universities established in Baku and Tashkent have strengthened academic ties across the Turkic World. He also announced that an agreement to establish the Türkiye–Syria Friendship University in Damascus will be signed in the coming days, with a branch planned in Aleppo and KTU taking an active role in the project.

Praising KTU as the first university founded outside Istanbul and Ankara, Özvar noted that its over 260,000 alumni serve in various parts of the world, proudly representing Türkiye. He emphasized KTU’s strong academic tradition and institutional legacy, highlighting its potential to become a center of excellence in health sciences for the Black Sea region and beyond. Özvar expressed his expectation that the university would further improve its international ranking and visibility.

After his address, the KTU 2025–2026 Academic Year Awards Ceremony was held, where Özvar presented plaques to distinguished academics and students.

Later, he met with KTU students, including those who received awards at TEKNOFEST, discussing their projects and achievements. The program was attended by Trabzon Governor Aziz Yıldırım, regional university rectors, academics, students, and guests.

Concluding his KTU visit, Özvar met with both Turkish and international students, taking photos and conversing with them. He emphasized that the success of universities depends not only on academics but also on students’ dedication and encouraged them to complement their education with practical experience.

Finally, Özvar visited Trabzon University, where he met Rector Prof. Emin Aşıkkutlu, received briefings on the university’s projects, and attended a senate meeting with the academic staff.