Hosted by our university and coordinated by the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences (FEAS), the 26th International Public Administration Forum (KAYFOR’26) commenced at Prof. Dr. Osman Turan Culture and Congress Center and will continue from April 24 to 26, 2025.

The event drew significant interest on its opening day, with the participation of the Governor of Trabzon Aziz YILDIRIM, Deputy Mayor of Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality Ahmet Yüksel GÜLAY, Secretary General of the Municipality Gürkan ÜÇÜNCÜ, FEAS Dean Prof. Dr. Atila DOĞAN, invited guests, academics, and students.

A Guiding Platform for Decision Makers, Practitioners, and All Stakeholders

In his opening remarks, the Chair of the Organizing Committee of KAYFOR’26 and faculty member of KTU FEAS, Assoc. Prof. Abdullah UZUN, emphasized that today’s decision makers and practitioners face complex and transboundary problems such as climate change, terrorism, migration, poverty, pandemics, and environmental issues. He stated that addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary research, and such forums offer valuable guidance for stakeholders in developing effective responses.

Knowledge-Based Solutions Will Contribute to Public Service Quality

KTU Rector Prof. Dr. Hamdullah ÇUVALCI underlined the importance of collaboration across disciplines and sectors in solving evolving global challenges. He stated that KTU conducts high-quality academic work in public administration, urban planning, local development, and governance, contributing not only through education and publications but also via joint projects with public institutions, student-focused practices, and policy recommendations. He extended his gratitude to keynote speakers Prof. Dr. Ruşen KELEŞ and former Fırat University Rector Prof. Dr. Eyüp Günay İSPİR.

Committed Steps Toward a Sustainable Future

Speaking at the opening, Deputy Mayor Ahmet Yüksel GÜLAY highlighted their goal of adopting smart city practices and inclusive, transparent governance, noting that the municipality is taking decisive action in areas such as eco-friendly transportation, green infrastructure, climate action, and energy efficiency.

Governor Aziz YILDIRIM emphasized that global issues like climate change, forced migration, pandemics, and poverty require interdisciplinary and inclusive solutions. He described KAYFOR’26 as not just an academic event, but also a solution-oriented platform bringing together policy makers, implementers, and scholars.

A Legacy of Public Administration and a Vision for the Future

Keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Ruşen KELEŞ reflected on the development of Public Administration as an academic discipline in Türkiye since the 1950s. He stressed the importance of ethics, merit, and effective communication in public service and was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Governor YILDIRIM and a plaque by Rector ÇUVALCI.

Following the opening ceremony, the forum continued with sessions exploring diverse approaches, policies, and practices in public administration in the face of complex challenges. KAYFOR'26 will run until April 26, 2025.

 

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