Afyon Kocatepe University (AKU) Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karakaş visited Dinar School of Applied Sciences (UBYO) and Dinar Vocational School as part of his district visits where academic units within AKU are located, and met with academic and administrative staff, students and local stakeholders.
Visit to Dinar Mayor Veysel Topçu:
During their visit, Rector Karakaş and his accompanying delegation first visited Dinar Mayor Veysel Topçu in his office. Also present were Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Şuayıp Özdemir, Advisor to the Rector responsible for Financial Affairs and Quality Prof. Dr. İsa Sağbaş, AKÜ Secretary General Hasan Düzgün, Head of the Construction and Technical Department Ömer Gürcan, Dinar UBYO Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serkan Göksu, Dinar Vocational School Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Ciğerci, and Dazkırı Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. Cahit Gürer. During the visit, the spatial problems of the Dinar UBYO and Dinar Vocational School campuses and the need for a new building were discussed, and projects that could be carried out in collaboration between AKÜ and the Dinar Municipality were discussed. At the meeting, Rector Prof. Dr. Karakaş stated that our schools are entrusted to the local dynamics of the districts.
The principals of Dinar UBYO and Dinar Vocational School made presentations on the development of the schools in recent years, their current situation and their future goals:
Following their visit to the Municipality, Rector Prof. Dr. Karakaş and his accompanying delegation visited the Dinar UBYO (School of Applied Sciences) and Dinar Vocational School (Vocational School) to meet with academics and students. Presentations by Dinar UBYO Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serkan Göksu and Dinar Vocational School Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Ciğerci covered hardware and software needs such as computers, projectors, software, and printing machines, as well as technical tour and transportation opportunities, department and program infrastructure, the addition of new undergraduate and graduate departments to the university, and personnel needs. Following the presentations, a meeting was held with academic and administrative staff.
Listening to the demands of the academics, Rector Karakaş said:
The requests of our staff and students in our academic units in the districts are conveyed to us through our school principals. However, during our visits, we receive different assessments and suggestions from both our students and faculty. We have the opportunity to observe many things firsthand. This strengthens our confidence in meeting these needs. This year, we are bringing natural gas to our Dinar campus in December, and we will now be using natural gas for heating. Our Industrial Design Department, in particular, has had some needs, and we are working to find solutions. We are also closely monitoring the space requirements and aim to address these shortcomings during our term. Generally, no serious problems have been reported from either our School of Higher Education or our Vocational School. Education and training continue without interruption.
Karakaş noted that the districts experienced changes in student numbers between 2018 and 2022. He said, “As the administration, we have always supported our districts during this period and strived to revitalize them. We have also re-introduced our Fashion Design program to students at Dinar Vocational School. We have also strengthened our Penal Enforcement and Security Services program, which was established during our time there. We have also begun filling the remaining quotas at our vocational school. This has allowed our schools to operate at nearly full capacity. Thanks to the additional budget we received this year, we have also significantly addressed the computer shortage. We continue to support our schools in the districts within our means.”
Rector Karakaş met with the students and said:
Following the meeting, Rector Karakaş and his accompanying delegation met with the students. After listening to their requests, needs, and concerns, Karakaş said, “We will meet your needs within our means in 2025. We are here for you; we want you to receive a good education. You are the future of our country. You are always welcome to contact us.”
Rector Karakaş inspected the Workshops and Laboratories:
During their visits to Dinar UBYO and Dinar Vocational School, Rector Karakaş and his delegation inspected the Fashion Design and Production Workshop, Pattern-Design Laboratory, Computer Laboratory and Industrial Design Department Laboratory on-site and received information from Dinar UBYO Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serkan Göksu and Dinar Vocational School Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Ciğerci.
We would like to express our gratitude to our Rector who honored us with his kind visit and wish him success in his work.
