Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın met with members of the media on the occasion of 10 January Working Journalists’ Day. During the media gathering, which took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere, recent developments at OMU over the past three months and the University’s goals for 2026 were discussed.

Journalists’ questions on education, healthcare, scientific research and publications, patents that have gained momentum over the past year, the goal of becoming a research university, public–university cooperation, and relations with the press were answered. During the meeting, which also included an evaluation of the University’s media relations, an exchange of views was held on the steps that could be taken to further strengthen cooperation with the press.

The Media Gathering, held at OMTEL Hotel, was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten and Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, and Secretary General Prof. Dr. Erhan Burak Pancar. Rector Aydın was also accompanied by Rector’s Advisors Prof. Dr. Serkan Şen, Prof. Dr. Emine Şendurur, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Begüm Korunur Engiz, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Onur Bekiroğlu, and Institutional Communications Coordinator Lecturer Mürsel Kan.

Rector Aydın: “The responsibility of journalists grows even greater in a period of increasing information pollution”

Speaking at the opening of the program, Ondokuz Mayıs University Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın expressed her satisfaction at meeting with members of the press on the occasion of 10 January Working Journalists’ Day and stated the following:

“Dear members of the press, today we have come together on the occasion of 10 January Working Journalists’ Day. We had planned this day together during our last meeting approximately three months ago. First of all, I would like to particularly emphasize how vital the responsibility undertaken by journalists is in a period when information pollution is increasing and access to accurate information is becoming more difficult day by day. The role of the press in ensuring that society has access to accurate, reliable, and timely information is undeniable.”

Stating that Ondokuz Mayıs University attaches great importance to maintaining strong communication with the press in line with the principles of transparency, accessibility, and accurate public information, Rector Aydın emphasized that media organizations are an important stakeholder in sharing the University’s academic, scientific, and social activities with the public.

“We are pursuing our goal of becoming a research university with determination”

During the meeting with the Samsun media, Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın responded to journalists’ questions. Emphasizing that raising public awareness on organ transplantation, particularly living donation, is among their priorities, Aydın stated that OMU has a strong team and infrastructure to carry out this process. She noted that the necessary certification has been obtained in the field of health tourism and that a health tourism service has been established within OMU, creating an institutional system that supports patients throughout the entire process, from admission to discharge.

Underlining that the goal of becoming a research university is being pursued with determination, Rector Aydın stated that of the 1,250 scientific publications produced in 2025, 365 were in the Q1 category, clearly demonstrating the University’s scientific productivity. The meeting also addressed topics such as an artificial intelligence–supported application project for the institution, student amnesty, and educational activities at the Faculty of Communication, while emphasizing the importance of journalists’ opinions and suggestions in strengthening university–media cooperation.

Following the opening address by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Institutional Communications Coordinator Lecturer Mürsel Kan summarized the significant developments Ondokuz Mayıs University has achieved since the previous media gathering, spanning areas from institutional transformation and research to educational quality and social contribution.

The media gathering, which saw strong participation, concluded after national and local media representatives’ questions to Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın and the University administration were answered. The meeting resulted in a shared consensus on further strengthening and sustaining cooperation between OMU and the Samsun media.