The fifth R&D Project Market and Promotion Days, organized annually by the Anatolian Universities Union and hosted by a different university each year, along with the 3rd Cacabey Science and Culture Festival, was hosted by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. The event took place on May 15, 2026, at Cacabey Square to review projects prepared in the fields of Engineering and Basic Sciences, Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Agriculture-Food and Environmental Sciences, and Social and Human Sciences, as well as to support innovative ideas. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Bülent Turan, Governor of Kırşehir Murat Sefa Demiryürek, Kırşehir Member of Parliament Necmettin Erkan, Kırşehir Chief Public Prosecutor Oğuz Şükrü Ener, President of Kırşehir Administrative Court Mehmet Ali Gürer, Rector of our University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Term President of the Anatolian Universities Union and Rector of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Prof. Dr. Fatih Yılmaz, Rector of Amasya University Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hakkı Turabi, Rector of Karabük University Prof. Dr. Fatih Kırışık, Rector of Munzur University Prof. Dr. Kenan Peker, Rector of Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University Prof. Dr. Semih Aktekin, Rector of Fırat University Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Göktaş, Rector of İstanbul Ticaret University Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek, Vice Rector of Yıldız Technical University and former rector of our university Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya, Vice Rector of Yozgat Bozok University Prof. Dr. Fuat Köksal, Vice Rector of Adıyaman University Prof. Dr. Özgür Özdemir, Vice Rector of Amasya University Prof. Dr. Murat Kurt, Vice Rector of Malatya Turgut Özal University Prof. Dr. İlhan Erdem, Vice Rectors of our University Prof. Dr. Musa Özata, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, and Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, General Secretary Asst. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin İlter, deputy governors, Kırşehir provincial public institution heads, provincial administrators, political party representatives, NGO representatives, academic and administrative staff, students, and citizens.

Starting with opening speeches, the first to speak at the R&D Project Market and Promotion Days and the Cacabey Science and Culture Festival was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Vice Rector of our University, Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş. He stated that science is not only knowledge produced in laboratories but also a powerful will that shapes the future of society. Noting that universities are important centers where young ideas and hopes meet, Güneş said that young people's dreams turn into projects in such events. Stating that a total of 996 project applications were made this year within the scope of the Anatolian Universities Union 5th R&D Project Market, Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş expressed that 220 projects made it to the finals following evaluations. Noting that the finalist projects will compete in the fields of engineering and basic sciences, social and human sciences, agriculture, food and environment, and biotechnology and health sciences, Güneş stated that children, young people, and citizens will experience an atmosphere filled with science, art, culture, and technology through 36 different events during the festival, emphasizing that the way to make science popular is to bring it into daily life. At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş thanked the institutions and organizations that contributed to the organization of the event and wished for a productive program in unity and solidarity.

Then, the Rector of our University, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, took the floor and expressed his pleasure in hosting the 3rd Cacabey Science and Culture Festival and the 5th R&D Project Market and Promotion Days organized by the Anatolian Universities Union. Explaining that science is one of the most important soft powers affecting the course of human history, Rector Karahocagil stated that countries that produce science are always ahead of those that consume it, and emphasized that in our civilization, science means knowledge. Stating that it is very important for universities to raise the Ahis of this age, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil added that we have a civilization that links science with morality and virtue. Continuing his speech, Rector Karahocagil provided information about the defense industry and technological studies, noting that as Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, they aim to raise scientists who make significant contributions to our civilization, like new Ahi Evrans, Cacabeys, and Piri Reises. At the end of his speech, Rector Karahocagil also made statements about our university's TÜBİTAK projects and TEKNOFEST achievements, and invited everyone to the 20th-anniversary celebration ceremony of our university, which will be held in the afternoon at the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center. Wishing the 5th R&D Project Market and Promotion Days and the 3rd Cacabey Science and Culture Festival to be beneficial, Rector Karahocagil thanked everyone who contributed to organizing the event.

Following the Term President of the Anatolian Universities Union and Rector of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Prof. Dr. Fatih Yılmaz, Kırşehir Member of Parliament Necmettin Erkan took the floor and explained that within the scope of the "Century of Turkey" program, our country has reached a level to compete with other countries in fields such as the defense industry, technological infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. Stating that they find youth projects important as they contain ideas that will shape the future of our country, MP Erkan said that today's students will guide the Century of Turkey. Saying, "The path to a strong Turkey goes through strong youth," Member of Parliament Necmettin Erkan wished the event to be beneficial and thanked everyone who contributed to the organization.



Then, Governor of Kırşehir Murat Sefa Demiryürek gave a speech. In his speech, Governor Demiryürek drew attention to the decisive role of scientific production, technology development capacity, and qualified human resources in the development of countries, stating that universities are not only institutions that transfer knowledge, but structures that research, develop, produce solutions, and contribute to the city they are located in. Saying that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University's quality-oriented approach, applied education model, and studies contributing to regional development serve as an example, Governor of Kırşehir Murat Sefa Demiryürek also referred to the "Century of Turkey" vision put forward by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, noting that high value-added production, domestic technology, university-industry cooperation, and strengthening human resources are among the main goals. Touching upon the importance of the event bringing together different fields such as engineering, health, agriculture, environment, and social sciences, Governor Demiryürek emphasized that today, many problems can only be solved through interdisciplinary cooperation. Stating that holding the event in front of the Cacabey Madrasah is meaningful, Governor of Kırşehir Murat Sefa Demiryürek reminded that the madrasah hosted astronomy and science studies centuries ago, and said that today, young people producing projects and sharing their research in the same square is an important indicator that the tradition of science in Anatolia is being kept alive. Stating that young people getting introduced to the project culture at an early age and turning their ideas into practice is of great importance for the country's future, Governor Demiryürek congratulated all the students and academics taking part in the event and thanked our university management, the Anatolian Universities Union, and all contributing institutions for organizing the program.

Finally, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Bülent Turan took the floor and emphasized that Kırşehir is a very special city as the summary of Central Anatolia, with its Ahi Evran-ı Veli, Cacabey, and Neşet Ertaş. Also stating that Kırşehir is the city where R&D meetings fit best, Deputy Minister Bülent Turan said, “If Ahi Evran-ı Veli were alive, he would be proud of this event and the science produced here,” explaining that the Cacabey Science and Culture Festival and the R&D Project Market events are activities that belong to the future. In his speech, Deputy Minister Bülent Turan briefly mentioned the activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and emphasized that they always stand by the youth. Noting that the future lies in technology, industry, and project production, Deputy Minister Bülent Turan stated that the organization is a meaningful event for our country's future and thanked everyone who contributed to organizing the event.

Following the opening speeches, a concert was organized by the Music Department of our University's Neşet Ertaş Faculty of Fine Arts. After the concert, the official opening of the 5th R&D Project Market and Promotion Days and the 3rd Cacabey Science and Culture Festival took place. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the members of the protocol visited the stands.

Following the events, awards were presented to the projects that ranked among those evaluated by the jury members within the scope of the 5th R&D Project Market.