As part of its 20th-anniversary celebrations, the Faculty of Agriculture organized a panel discussion titled “The Impact of Regional Development-Oriented Agriculture and Geothermal Specialization Projects on Regional Development.” The panel held on May 5, 2026 at the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center’s July 15 National Will Hall and was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar, Coordinator of Regional Development-Oriented Agriculture and Geothermal Specialization Projects Prof. Dr. Rüştü Hatipoğlu, project leaders Prof. Dr. Yaşar Ertürk, Prof. Dr. Tamer Yavuz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Başak, as well as academic and administrative staff and students.

The panel began with opening speech by Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar. In his speech, Çınar first provided information about the panel and explained that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University had ranked among the top five universities out of 41 in 2016 based on the projects it had developed. Noting that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University has been developing projects in both agriculture and geothermal energy since 2016, Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar emphasized that these projects have made significant contributions to regional development. “With this panel, we will see where we stand with these projects,” said Çınar, expressing his hope that the panel would be fruitful.

Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil then took the floor and noted that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University’s agricultural and geothermal projects have made significant contributions to regional development, as reflected in the academic literature. Noting that regional development-focused projects are not short-term initiatives, Rector Karahocagil emphasized that, considering the current status of these projects, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University has made significant strides since 2016. “Under the Higher Education Council’s (YÖK) Regional Development-Focused Mission Differentiation and Specialization Program, universities are now identifying the potential in their regions, developing projects, and contributing to the development of their regions,” said Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, noting that universities are thus effectively utilizing the potential in their regions. Emphasizing that universities are now beginning to be transformed into thematic universities, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil highlighted that regional development projects make significant contributions to this thematic university transformation. He stated that 25 out of the 208 universities in our country are progressing toward becoming thematic universities. Continuing his remarks, Rector Karahocagil also described the process of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University becoming a pilot university, adding that it is important to re-evaluate the projects through this panel. Expressing his gratitude to everyone who contributed to organizing the panel, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil wished the panel success and noted that our university will continue to bring new projects to our region.

Following the opening speeches, the panel began with Regional Development-Focused Agriculture and Geothermal Specialization Projects Coordinator Prof. Dr. Rüştü Hatipoğlu serving as moderator. During the panel, Walnut-Focused Development and Growth Project Director Prof. Dr. Yaşar Ertürk presented on the “Walnut-Focused Development Project,” Project Director of the Coarse Feed Production Project Prof. Dr. Tamer Yavuz presented on “The Coarse Feed Production Project” and Project Director of the Clustering in Thermal Greenhouses Project Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Başak presented on “The Clustering in Thermal Greenhouses Project.” At the end of the panel, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar presented certificates to the participants. The panel concluded with a group photo.