On March 12, 2025, our University Rector, Prof. Dr. Bülent Kent, attended the iftar program held in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT) Ceremony Hall. The event was hosted by the Speaker of the GNAT, Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş, with the participation of the President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and university rectors from across the country.
In his address, GNAT Speaker Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş emphasized that universities should not be limited to institutions solely focused on academic activities but should also lead social transformation. He stated:
“A university is not — and should not be — just a campus or buildings. Universities must not be isolated from the city; they should be integrated with industry, cafés, streets, neighborhoods, and workplaces. While projects like technoparks and socioparks are important, what truly matters is for universities to consider society as a whole as a field for science and development. In this regard, it is of great importance that our academic staff take an active role in society, becoming pioneers of change and transformation.”
Also speaking at the event, YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar highlighted the rising success of Turkish universities in international rankings. He noted that an increasing number of universities have entered the top 500 globally, with some ranking among the top 300. He further stated that their ultimate goal is to advance these universities into the top 200, and eventually into the top 100 worldwide.
