Türkiye’s 208 universities gather for 2026–2027 Academic Year opening ceremony

A delegation led by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın represented OMU at the national ceremony, which brought together representatives of Türkiye’s 208 universities and included the presentation of the 2026 YÖK Outstanding Achievement Awards.

The 2026–2027 Higher Education Academic Year Opening Ceremony was held at the Presidential Complex with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Bringing together Türkiye’s 208 universities, the ceremony was attended by senior state officials, ministers, members of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), university rectors, academics, and students.

Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) was represented at the ceremony by a delegation led by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın.

Ceremony begins with Turkish music performance

Following a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, the Harran University Vox Humanis Polyphonic Choir gave a performance of Turkish music.

Conducted by Dr. Fırat Altun, the choir had won first place in its category at the World Choir Games held in Sweden in August. The first piece performed at the ceremony was dedicated to the memory of children whose childhoods had been cut short in Gaza.

YÖK President Özvar addresses “Terror-Free Türkiye” objective

Following a promotional film highlighting the development and future vision of Turkish higher education, YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar delivered the opening address.

Özvar said the higher education community regarded the “Terror-Free Türkiye” objective as an important goal that could contribute to strengthening peace and security in the country, as well as national unity and solidarity.

CHERI lunar exploration robot presented to President Erdoğan

Following the speeches, YÖK President Erol Özvar presented President Erdoğan with a model of CHERI, the lunar exploration robot developed by Middle East Technical University (METU).

As part of China’s Chang’e-8 mission, planned for 2029, two micro-rovers are expected to be sent to the Moon’s South Pole, where they will create three-dimensional maps of the lunar surface and test new exploration technologies by operating collaboratively.

Each vehicle has been designed to weigh less than five kilograms. The project aims to make Türkiye the first country to send two exploration vehicles simultaneously to the Moon’s South Pole.

Ottoman heritage of Istanbul represented in amber prayer beads

President Erdoğan was also presented with the “Istanbul Mosques Prayer Beads,” created by the Prayer Bead Design and Production Program at Mardin Artuklu University.

The piece features Ottoman-era mosques of Istanbul engraved into amber beads using a reverse-carving technique. It also incorporates motifs representing the Mardin Grand Mosque minaret, the Fountain of Ahmed III, and Hagia Sophia Mosque.

Outstanding academic achievements recognized

The 2026 YÖK Outstanding Achievement Awards, which aim to encourage scientific research, academic studies, projects, doctoral theses, and activities contributing to society, were also presented during the ceremony.

Awards were presented across 20 categories under three main headings: Doctoral Thesis of the Year, Institutional Awards, and Special Awards.

In the Doctoral Thesis of the Year categories, doctoral graduates and their thesis supervisors received their awards together, highlighting the importance of the relationship between doctoral candidates and their academic mentors.

The ceremony concluded with a group photograph featuring the award-winning academics, President Erdoğan, and YÖK President Özvar.

Foe more information about the ceremony, please visit: https://www.yok.gov.tr/tr/news/2026-2027-akademik-yili-cumhurbaskanligi-kulliyesinde-acildi-sw0ww