The "1st National Regional Development Congress," organized by the Düzce University Specialization Coordination Office in Environmental and Health Technologies, commenced in the Cumhuriyet Conference Hall.
The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, the Rector of Düzce University, Prof. Dr. Nedim Sözbir, the Rector of Gümüşhane University, Prof. Dr. Oktay Yıldız, the President of the Turkish Institute of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Prof. Dr. Elif Güler Kazancı, protocol members, and numerous academics and students.
In her opening speech, the Congress Organizing Committee Chair, Prof. Dr. Emine Tekin, stated that the university is included in the Council of Higher Education`s (YÖK) Regional Development-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization Program, and that they support sustainable development in the fields of compost fertilizer, bee products, hazelnut productivity, and traditional medicine.
Rector Prof. Dr. Nedim Sözbir stated that the university specializes in environmental and health fields and has increased its support for regional development projects by 50%. TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker also addressed the attendees. Muzaffer Şeker also emphasized that they appreciated Düzce University`s work in the fields of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and environmental studies.
Our university was represented by our Regional Development and Specialization Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Tamer KEÇELİ.
The second day of the 1st National Regional Development Congress in the Cumhuriyet Conference Hall began with the first session, moderated by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Öztürk, titled "Regional Development Policies, Specialization and Institutional Capacity Analyses-I".
Düzce Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Esra Uzun, presented on "Rural Areas and Agriculture in the Perspective of Regional Development: Analysis of Düzce Province," explaining the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry`s goals regarding the development of rural infrastructure in villages, population retention in rural areas, and production and marketing.
Prof. Dr. Yekta Karaduman shared information on "Strategic Plant in Regional Development: Hemp and High Value-Added Product Ecosystem". Rüştü Hatipoğlu presented on “The Role of Universities in Regional Development: The Case of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University”, Prof. Dr. Tamer Keçeli on “The Sectoral and Strategic Importance of Çankırı Rock Salt”, Prof. Dr. Murat Korunur on “Evaluation of Creating Sustainable Reserve Areas for Strategic Raw Materials from the Perspective of Regional Development”, and Dr. Ebubekir İzol on “Agriculture and Basin-Based Development and Specialization Studies at Bingöl University”.
The second session of the congress featured presentations on “Regional Development Policies, Specialization and Institutional Capacity Analyses-II”, the third session on “Development and Applications of Functional Foods”, and the fourth session on “Traditional Medicine and Bioactive Components”.
The sessions were held simultaneously at the Atatürk Education and Culture Center. The first session addressed the topics of “Development of Plant-Based and Natural Ingredient Products-I” and “Development of Plant-Based and Natural Ingredient Products-II”. The second session featured presentations on “Biomass, Waste, and Bio-Based Materials” and “Energy and Bio-Based Technologies”. The third session included presentations on “Cultural Heritage, Sustainable Art and Tourism” and “Ecosystem Management”. The fourth and final session focused on “Agriculture, Rural Development, and Agroecology” and “Smart Systems”.
Speaking at the closing session of the congress, Rector Prof. Dr. Nedim Sözbir stated that the 1st National Regional Development Congress was very productive and successful, and thanked the Dean of Research and Coordinator of Specialization in Environmental and Health Technologies, Prof. Dr. Emine Tekin, and the relevant units. Sözbir noted that they possess a highly qualified academic staff and have made significant progress in project applications and funding. Pointing out that they wanted to set an example for Turkey by combining health and engineering, the rector stated that they wanted to organize the congress in the coming years as well.
The university`s designation as a "Regional Development University" and its specialization in the fields of environment and health added a distinct value to the congress. Academics made strategic assessments regarding regional development. The congress provided an important service in terms of contributing to national development, developing projects, and creating collaboration opportunities.
It was emphasized that universities make significant contributions to the country not only through education and scientific research but also through their regional development mission, and that Düzce University played a pioneering role in this regard by hosting the organization.
