The “1st National Samsun Geography Symposium,” organized in cooperation with Samsun Metropolitan Municipality (SBB) and Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), brought together 141 researchers from across Türkiye.

Held at the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Art Center with participants from 38 universities and 35 cities, the symposium was organized with the contributions of the Turkish Geographical Society and the Geomorphology Association, attracting strong interest from academics and participants.

The symposium, dedicated to Prof. Dr. Ali Uzun, a faculty member of the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences who recently retired after 41 years of service, began with opening speeches.

The program was attended by OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Bitlis Eren University Rector Prof. Dr. Necmettin Elmastaş, Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Necmi Çamaş, President of the Turkish Geographical Society Barbaros Gönençgil, OMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, and invited faculty members.

Rector Aydın: “It will accelerate academic and cultural mobility”

Speaking at the symposium, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın emphasized the importance of inter-institutional cooperation, stating:

“This organization, realized through inter-institutional collaboration, is a concrete reflection of how effective universities, local administrations, and scientific institutions can be when they act together. It represents a local-scale example of the synergy that science- and knowledge-based structures can generate for the bright future of our country. The continuation of such collaborations will accelerate academic and cultural mobility in our city. I am very pleased to be here with you at this meaningful event, organized with the awareness that love of the homeland is rooted in geographical knowledge. I hope that our meeting, which will be enriched by diverse perspectives reflected in the paper titles and gain depth through truth-oriented discussions, will be productive.”

Deputy Secretary General Çamaş: “Academic life is not limited to teaching or publishing”

Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Necmi Çamaş stated:

“An academic’s curriculum vitae may often appear as a static list of dates, titles, and positions. However, behind that list lies a lifetime of effort, the bonds formed with students, field observations, the patient cultivation of institutional culture, and a sustained commitment to science. Academic life is not limited to teaching or publishing. It involves establishing the language of a discipline, upholding its standards, maintaining field traditions, and most importantly, passing on scientific culture to future generations through students. In this respect, Prof. Dr. Ali Uzun has exemplified the long-term dedication and effort required in geography. Throughout his long academic career at Ondokuz Mayıs University, he served as a professor, undertook administrative responsibilities within the department and division, and contributed to university governance as a dean. These roles demonstrate a scholar’s investment not only in their field but also in their institution and the future of their discipline.”

Prof. Dr. Yılmaz: “Everyone should study their surroundings in detail”

Speaking at the symposium, Prof. Dr. Cevdet Yılmaz, Head of the Department of Turkish and Social Sciences Education at the Faculty of Education, emphasized the importance of a scientific perspective, stating:

“If everyone contributes sufficiently to their local context, thanks to our universities, we will build a remarkable archive and a strong body of knowledge across Türkiye. Within the framework of the ‘from near to far’ principle in education, everyone should examine their surroundings in the finest detail. As geographers, we must reveal our potential, produce knowledge, and provide information to decision-makers, enabling them to make informed decisions. In this sense, understanding the city and region we live in is a primary responsibility for us as geographers.”

“We adopt a holistic perspective in geography”

Continuing his remarks, Prof. Dr. Cevdet Yılmaz said:

“We strive to analyze not only the geographical features of our surroundings but also their economic history, sociological structure, migration patterns, and population characteristics, in short, all elements that should be addressed from a geographical perspective. We adopt a holistic approach to geography. I would like to remind our young colleagues: we have the Bafra Plain nearby. Let us consider it, hydrogeologists have studied groundwater, engineers have explored dam construction possibilities, agricultural experts have examined crop suitability, and archaeologists have revealed the historical depth of İkiztepe. Today, we believe our administrators act carefully in using public resources. In this context, a comprehensive approach that presents the entirety of the Bafra Plain is needed. This is the essence of geography’s holistic perspective. If I can integrate knowledge from different disciplines and present it coherently, I will both represent geography and make a meaningful contribution.”

Prof. Dr. Uzun: “I tried to focus on previously unexplored topics in Türkiye”

In his speech, retired faculty member Prof. Dr. Ali Uzun stated:
  
“I have tried, as much as possible, to consult with colleagues, think together, and produce together, contributing to our university and our city. I would like to thank my colleagues, especially my doctoral students, and my close collaborator Prof. Dr. Cevdet Yılmaz. Wherever I went, he was always by my side. In recent years, especially with BAP support, a culture of research at our university has become increasingly institutionalized. I still have ongoing projects supported by BAP. As long as my health permits, I will continue to contribute to our academic community. I have always tried to focus on different aspects of geography and bring forward topics that had not previously been studied in Türkiye. For instance, I would like to mention our recent work on ‘cold water geysers in extreme winter conditions.’ While the existence of geysers in Türkiye has been debated, we studied and published on a very unique example. This was a project carried out with many academics. To our young colleagues, I would say: today, we have the internet, and even artificial intelligence can summarize articles for you. You can benefit from these tools even while commuting. Follow global developments closely and continuously improve yourselves. This is possible; you can do it.”