As part of the Central Black Sea Career Fair (OKAF’26), the panel titled “Inspiring Leaders” was held under the hosting of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), with the participation of Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Enes Eminoğlu, Member of the Presidential Board of Education and Training Policies Ahmet Akça, and Vice Chairman of the Board of ATO Congresium and Yıldızlar Çınar Group Hasan Yıldız.

In this special session organized within the scope of OKAF 2026, students had the opportunity to listen to prominent figures from the public sector, education, and the business world. During the “Inspiring Leaders” talk, Dr. Enes Eminoğlu, Ahmet Akça, and Hasan Yıldız came together with young people to share their insights on career planning, education policies, and personal development.

The session, held at the Atatürk Congress and Culture Center (AKM) Blue Hall under the motto “The Era of Youth Productivity” (GÜÇ), was attended by Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security Faruk Özçelik, OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, academics, and a large number of students.

Following the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Enes Eminoğlu, Presidential Board Member Ahmet Akça, and Hasan Yıldız; who serves as Vice Chairman of the Boards of ATO Congresium and Yıldızlar Çınar Group; met with students.

Hasan Yıldız: “Never lose your self-confidence; be yourself”

As the first speaker of the session, Hasan Yıldız, known for his multifaceted work in business, arts, and media, addressed participants with his presentation titled “The World Changes with You.” In his speech, Yıldız shared reflections on individual awareness, the journey to success, and the role young people can play in societal transformation.

Addressing students directly, Yıldız stated:

“Never let arrogance enter your life. None of these things will ever truly benefit you. Everything you think you gain through them will one day cause you to lose yourself, your values, and everything you have.”

At the end of his speech, Yıldız also touched upon the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, emphasizing the importance of showing sensitivity to injustice.

Deputy Minister Eminoğlu: “Young people must have a vision in career planning”

In the continuation of the program, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Enes Eminoğlu took the floor and provided information about projects and opportunities offered to young people.

Emphasizing the importance of discovering one’s potential, Dr. Eminoğlu highlighted the necessity of having a vision in career planning. He advised students:

“If we want to become the leading figures in the stories we will write tomorrow, we must build that effort and that foundation strongly starting from today.”

Concluding his speech, Dr. Eminoğlu added:

“We need a structure that researches, questions, actively participates in programs, and engages with opportunities offered not only by our Ministry of Youth and Sports but also by other ministries—especially international mobility programs and opportunities abroad.”

Ahmet Akça: “Achieving success requires a life philosophy”

Another speaker of the session, Member of the Presidential Board of Education and Training Policies Ahmet Akça, delivered a comprehensive presentation on Türkiye’s education policies, the professions of the future, and how young people should prepare for this transformation.

Sharing current developments in the field of education, Akça stated:

“I always say this in the schools and universities I visit: if what you do does not have a philosophy, you can only be an apprentice or a technician of that work. If a school simply says ‘this topic was in the curriculum, so we taught it,’ then that is not truly a school. Such an environment cannot develop a genuine school culture.”

At the end of the program, certificates of appreciation were presented to the speakers by protocol members.