MAKÜ started the new academic year with the goal of being in the top 500 in the world

The 2026-2027 academic year at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) began with a ceremony held in front of the Rectorate building.

The ceremony was attended by Burdur Deputy Governor Eda Güdek, protocol members, university administration, academic and administrative staff, and students. After Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar laid a wreath at the Atatürk Monument, a moment of silence was observed, and the National Anthem was sung.

Dalgar began his speech at the ceremony by commemorating the late Prof. Dr. Özlem Çetinkaya Bozkurt, a faculty member of the Bucak Business Faculty. Stating that they entered the new academic year with sadness, Rector Dalgar expressed that Bozkurt would be remembered for her students and contributions to the university, and he wished mercy from God for the deceased academician.

Rector Dalgar noted that approximately 35,000 students have started their courses at the university, stating that MAKÜ ranks between 600-800 in some categories in international rankings, and their primary goal is to enter the top 500 universities in the world.

Addressing the increase in academic production, Rector Dalgar reported a 98% increase in qualified publications in the Q1 category by the end of 2025. He stated that with this increase, MAKÜ ranks first among universities in Turkey without a medical faculty and fifth when medical faculties are included, thanking the academic staff.

Occupancy rate reached 99.9%

Dalgar stated that they achieved a 99.9% occupancy rate in the 2026 Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) placements, noting that their next goal is to attract students from higher success rankings.

Rector Dalgar mentioned that in approximately 95% of the nearly 200 programs, students were placed from higher success rankings compared to the previous year, and he expressed that the number of programs receiving students from the top 100,000 has also increased.

Recalling that the Faculty of Medicine accepted its first students this year, Rector Dalgar stated that the faculty is preferred by successful students from higher rankings.

Rector Dalgar noted that the faculty has been equipped with the infrastructure to accept students in a short time and reported that a proposal has been submitted for the morphology building to be included in the 2027 investment program.

Artificial intelligence courses have been made mandatory in all departments

Emphasizing that artificial intelligence and digitalization are among the important agenda items in higher education, Rector Dalgar stated that they aim to lead this transformation.

Rector Dalgar mentioned that while artificial intelligence facilitates access to information, students' skills to distinguish correct and useful information also need to be developed. He stated that they have made artificial intelligence courses mandatory in all departments, aiming for students to use these technologies effectively and consciously in their professions.

Addressing the digitalization efforts in institutional management, Rector Dalgar expressed that the MAKÜ Artı mobile application consolidates many transactions of students and academic and administrative staff on a single platform. He also mentioned that the newly launched MAKÜ Solution application will allow students to directly communicate their problems, requests, and suggestions to the relevant units.

Rector Dalgar recalled that the Exam Management System developed by the university has been cited as a good practice example by the Higher Education Quality Board (YÖKAK), stating that this is an important indicator of their digitalization efforts.

Rector Dalgar emphasized that they also value students' achievements outside of classes, reporting that approximately 900 students graduated last year by benefiting from micro-competency programs, and in the new academic year, 53 new programs have been made available for students.

The Village University project will continue

Rector Dalgar announced that an investment aimed at technology use in agriculture and livestock is ongoing on campus, stating that they aim for MAKÜ to become one of Turkey's important centers in this field when the work is completed.

Rector Dalgar noted that through the Village University project, which is an example of social contribution efforts, they have reached approximately 3,000 producers in 23 villages in the first phase.

He stated that in addition to agriculture and livestock, studies aimed at rural areas are being conducted in the fields of oral health, physical therapy, child-rearing, spiritual support, and combating addiction, expressing that the project will be strengthened and continued in the new academic year.

27 projects submitted to YÖK for COP31

Addressing sustainability and environmental efforts, Rector Dalgar stated that 27 projects have been prepared by various units of the university to contribute to the COP31 process, which will be hosted by Turkey, and that these projects have been submitted to the Higher Education Council (YÖK), with the aim of sharing them in the COP31 program.

Academic and social contribution to the “Terror-Free Turkey” process

In his speech, Rector Dalgar also addressed the “Terror-Free Turkey” process, emphasizing the importance of higher education institutions contributing to the process.

“We see the 'Terror-Free Turkey' goal put forth by our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a shared future responsibility that strengthens our country's peace, security, and brotherhood ties. The role of universities in this process is to contribute their scientific knowledge to solving the common issues of society. We consider it important to address the social, economic, legal, political, cultural, and security dimensions of the issue based on academic freedom and scientific methods, in line with the call of our Higher Education Council,” said MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, stating that under the leadership of YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, academic and community-integrated efforts will be carried out in this context.

Rector Dalgar expressed that they value an environment of higher education where different thoughts are respected and the culture of living together is strengthened, stating, “We aim to create a higher education environment where our youth will feel the sense of living together more strongly, provided that they protect and respect their honor, differences of thought, and opinions.”

Wishing for an end to the terrorism problem that Turkey has faced for many years, Rector Dalgar stated, “As a university, we will do our part in leaving a country free from this problem for the generations that come after us.”

Collaborations with Burdur will be increased

Rector Dalgar stated that in the new term, they will strengthen the university's integration with Burdur and increase collaborations with different sectors, primarily agriculture, industry, and tourism.

He noted that they aim for all stakeholders in the city to benefit from the expertise of approximately 1,250 academic staff, and he evaluated the application of qualified academics from different provinces to work at MAKÜ as an important development for both the university and Burdur.

Rector Dalgar wished success to the students and ease to the academic and administrative staff in the new term.

The opening program concluded with a cocktail attended by protocol members, academics, and students.