The 20th Anniversary Celebration Program was organized by our University's Rectorate. The event took place on May 15, 2026. It was held at the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center, in the July 15 National Will Hall. The celebration program had a high level of participation. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Bülent Turan, Governor of Kırşehir Murat Sefa Demiryürek, Kırşehir Member of Parliament Necmettin Erkan, Kırşehir Chief Public Prosecutor Oğuz Şükrü Ener, and President of Kırşehir Administrative Court Mehmet Ali Gürer attended the event. Rector of our University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil and Term President of the Anatolian Universities Union and Rector of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Prof. Dr. Fatih Yılmaz were also present. The event was attended by ÖSYM President Prof. Dr. Bayram Ali Ersoy, 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, and 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, and Vice Rector of Malatya Turgut Özal University Prof. Dr. İlhan Erdem also joined. Academic and administrative staff, students, and members of the press completed the participant list.

he 20th Anniversary Celebration Program began with a special video presentation prepared for the 20th anniversary of our university. Then, the opening speeches started. First, the Chairman of the 20th Anniversary Celebration Committee and Vice Rector of our University, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, took the floor. He pointed out that cities and institutions carry a heritage of civilization. He defined cities as places that contain history in their stones, wisdom in their soil, and knowledge in their past. He also noted that cities carry the traces of science, art, and morality. Şimşek emphasized that institutions build the future, not just the present. He stated that universities must combine science with conscience, and success with values. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek also mentioned the Ahi Evran culture. He stated that the guild tradition is based on unity, quality in production, fairness in service, and brotherhood in human relations. At the end of his speech, Şimşek stated that the labor of the past, the pride of today, and the hope of tomorrow meet under the same roof. He thanked all stakeholders who contributed to the 20-year journey of the university.

Then, the Rector of our University, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, gave a speech. He expressed that they reached the 20th anniversary of the university with great pride and happiness. Rector Karahocagil stated that the journey of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University began in 2006. He noted that this journey turned into a strong academic structure today. He described this process as a journey of labor, patience, and faith. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil emphasized that the university does not only have a 20-year history. He stated that the institutional roots date back to the Cacabey Astronomy Madrasah founded in 1272. The Rector of our University, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, mentioned that Kırşehir is a city of science and wisdom. He said that the city feels the breath of important values like Ahi Evran-ı Veli, Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli, Yunus Emre, and Tapduk Emre. He pointed out that our university was established under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s vision of “a university for every province.” He noted that the university has reached an important point today. He added that the humble step taken in 2006 became a strong academic climate. Rector Karahocagil stated that the university walks into the future by protecting its roots with an understanding fed by the Ahi tradition. He also provided information about the academic structure of the university.

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil reminded that the university was selected as a specialization university in the fields of agriculture and geothermal energy. This selection was part of the Regional Development-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization Project conducted by the Council of Higher Education. He stated that three agriculture and three health specialization projects are carried out within this scope. He also mentioned the scientific, academic, and socio-cultural achievements of our university in the international arena. In his speech, Rector Karahocagil explained the university's success in quality studies. He emphasized that the university received a 5-year full institutional accreditation from the Higher Education Quality Council in 2022. He noted that it was the first state university established after 2006 to achieve this. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil stated that they built their quality approach on Ahi values. He emphasized that the Ahi-order is not just a professional organization, but also a value-based quality movement. At the end of his speech, Rector Karahocagil stated that all achievements of our university are the joint effort of the academic and administrative staff. He thanked all administrators, employees, and benefactors who contributed to the university.

Following the Rector of our University, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, ÖSYM President Prof. Dr. Bayram Ali Ersoy took the floor. He gave notable messages regarding both the Ahi tradition and the social responsibility of universities. In his speech, President Ersoy stated that the values carried by the Ahi tradition should still serve as a guide today. He drew attention to the spiritual heritage of Hoca Ahmed Yesevi and the position of Ahi Evran along this line. President Ersoy pointed out the role of universities in social development. He concluded his speech by celebrating the 20th anniversary of Ahi Evran University. He thanked everyone who contributed to the establishment of our university.

Then, Kırşehir Member of Parliament Necmettin Erkan gave a speech. He emphasized that Kırşehir is a special city. He also noted that our university is a center of learning with a strong academic structure. MP Erkan provided information about the academic and physical structure of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. He added that the academic and scientific studies, as well as the projects of our university, are very valuable. Member of Parliament Necmettin Erkan explained that they will always continue to support Kırşehir Ahi Evran University within the framework of the "Century of Turkey" vision. He congratulated our university on its 20th anniversary.

Then, Governor of Kırşehir Murat Sefa Demiryürek took the floor. He stated that universities are institutions that shape the intellectual life, social structure, and future vision of cities. He emphasized that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University cannot be considered separately from the development of the city. Governor Demiryürek also explained that the ancient values of Kırşehir contribute to the institutional identity of our university. He expressed that the cooperation between Kırşehir Ahi Evran University and local institutions is a concrete indicator of university-city integration. Governor of Kırşehir Murat Sefa Demiryürek explained that they will continue to support Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, which contributes to the development of the province with its projects. He congratulated our university on its 20th anniversary.

Finally, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Bülent Turan gave a speech. He said that Kırşehir is an important and special province for them. Deputy Minister Bülent Turan noted that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University creates motivation by taking its name from Ahi Evran-ı Veli. He stated that our university produced important studies and projects over the last 20 years. He congratulated Kırşehir Ahi Evran University on its 20th anniversary.

Following the opening speeches, a mini-concert was performed by the Music Department of our University's Neşet Ertaş Faculty of Fine Arts. After the concert, gifts were presented to the former rectors who contributed to the establishment and development of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. The gifts were presented by the Rector of our University, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil. Prof. Dr. Beril Salman Akın received the gift in memory of our Founding Rector, the late Prof. Dr. Selahaddin Salman. Prof. Dr. Kudret Saylam, who served as rector between 2011 and 2015, and Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya, who served as rector between 2015 and 2023, also received their gifts. Following the presentation of gifts, our former rectors gave short speeches. They expressed their pleasure in contributing to the development of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. They also stated that they felt proud to witness the 20th anniversary of our university. The 20th Anniversary Celebration Program of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University ended after a group souvenir photo.