The Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Abay Kazakh Language, Literature and Culture Application and Research Center, established as a concrete outcome of the cooperation protocol signed between Kırşehir Ahi Evran University and Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University in Kazakhstan, was officially inaugurated. The ceremony, held at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on September 17, 2026, was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Özata, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Faruk Selçuk, Head of the Department of Turkish Language and Literature Prof. Dr. Salahaddin Bekki, Director of the Abay Kazakh Language, Literature and Culture Application and Research Center Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Kabadayı, Deputy Directors Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Türkmen and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ceren Oğuz Kabadayı, Yedilbay Ospanov, Dean of the Faculty of World Languages at Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Murat Mırzahmetov, faculty member of the Academician S. Kirabayev Department of Kazakh Literature and Teaching Methods, Assem Kuntu from the Office of International Relations, members of the Center’s Executive Board Asst. Prof. Dr. Ebru Alagöz Boyraz and Dr. Derya Karataş, as well as academic and administrative staff and students from Kazakhstan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil said that the Center is an important result of the academic and cultural cooperation between the two universities. He stated that the Center will contribute to stronger relations among universities in the Turkic world. Rector Karahocagil also said that they will soon visit Almaty to attend the opening ceremony of the Ahi Evran Turkish Language, Literature and Culture Application and Research Center. This center was established at Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University as part of the cooperation between the two institutions. He emphasized that this mutual cooperation model between the two universities is the first of its kind in Türkiye. After the opening ceremony, the delegation from Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University presented a 10-volume collection of Abay’s works to the Abay Kazakh Language, Literature and Culture Application and Research Center. The delegation also presented various gifts to the Center.
The opening ceremony ended after academics from Türkiye and Kazakhstan exchanged views and shared their good wishes. The Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Abay Kazakh Language, Literature and Culture Application and Research Center will continue its activities in several areas. The Center will conduct scientific research on the Kazakh language, literature, and culture. It will support academic and cultural cooperation between Türkiye and Kazakhstan. It will also contribute to the promotion and teaching of Kazakh in Türkiye and help strengthen relations among universities in the Turkic world.
After the ceremony, the delegation from Kazakhstan visited Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil in his office. The delegation included Yedilbay Ospanov, Dean of the Faculty of World Languages at Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Murat Mırzahmetov, faculty member of the Academician S. Kirabayev Department of Kazakh Literature and Teaching Methods, and Assem Kuntu from the Office of International Relations. During the friendly meeting, the academic and scientific activities of both universities were discussed. The participants also exchanged views on cultural activities and future cooperation. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Kabadayı, Director of the Abay Kazakh Language, Literature and Culture Application and Research Center, also attended the meeting with Rector Karahocagil.
