The Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ) 2023 Bests Awards Ceremony was held at the İÇDAŞ Kara Yusuf Conference Center.

The ceremony was attended by Çanakkale Governor İlhami Aktaş, Çanakkale Members of Parliament Ayhan Gider and Rıdvan Uz, 28th Term Konya Member of Parliament Ünal Karaman, ÇOMÜ Rector Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt Erenoğlu, Çanakkale Bar Association President Av. Hande Keskin, Gallipoli Historical Site President İsmail Kaşdemir and his wife Özlem Kaşdemir, Provincial Police Chief Selim Arıcı and his wife Nebahat Arıcı, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Senior Colonel Sadi Akman, Coast Guard Group Commander Lt. Col. Ercan Oran, Gendarmerie Special Training Center Commander Colonel Ufuk Yetiş, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Dinçay Köksal and Prof. Dr. Evren Karayel Gökkaya, ÇOMÜ academic and administrative managers, representatives from public institutions, private sector representatives, NGO representatives, academic and administrative staff, and students.

Following a moment of silence and the national anthem, Lecturer Sedat Çılgın performed the Çanakkale Folk Song.

In his opening speech, ÇOMÜ Rector Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt Erenoğlu emphasized that the event was organized to honor the stakeholders and members of the university who stood out in education, research, and community contribution activities throughout 2023. He highlighted that 2023 was a successful year for ÇOMÜ.

2023 Was a Successful Year for ÇOMÜ

"2023 was a highly productive and successful year for ÇOMÜ. This success is due to the dedicated efforts of our academicians, researchers, administrative staff, and students. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your contributions. Today, we take pride in honoring our esteemed stakeholders who have best represented our university's core values and mission, making a significant impact with their work.

Our academicians and administrative staff, who have distinguished themselves through scientific research, contributions to education, and institutional development, are our university's most valuable assets. Their dedicated work plays a crucial role in elevating ÇOMÜ's national and international standing.

Collaborations with public institutions, private sector organizations, and civil society organizations are vital to fulfilling our university's mission of serving the community. We thank all stakeholders who have contributed to the development of these collaborations.

And, of course, our students, the future of our university, make us proud with their achievements in academic and social fields. Their determination and belief are the greatest indicators that ÇOMÜ will have an even brighter future.

In recognition of their support to our university in the areas of societal and institutional contribution, we will present special awards for the 2023 ÇOMÜ Days to public institutions and private sector entities. These awards are a token of our gratitude for their contributions to our university and society."

We Are Determined to Enhance and Strengthen Our Collaborations

"As Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, we are determined to further develop our collaborations with our stakeholders. We believe that through these partnerships, we will elevate our university and contribute more significantly to society. Over the course of 2023, our university has achieved many important successes, which I would like to share with you:

Expanding Our Educational Scope

Our university has expanded its educational scope by opening new departments and programs. Additionally, we are continuing our efforts to attract more international students by emphasizing internationalization.

Project Applications Increased by 250% Compared to Previous Years

Our university has made significant strides in research and development projects. In 2023, many international research projects led by ÇOMÜ academicians were accepted and funded. These projects have substantially increased the university's research capacity and international visibility. Findings from these projects have garnered interest on an international level. Notably, there has been a 250% increase in project applications according to TÜBİTAK and National Agency indices compared to previous years. Additionally, the number of members participating in COST actions has visibly increased. ÇOMÜ academicians have published numerous scientific articles in international peer-reviewed journals in 2023. These publications have contributed to the global recognition of the knowledge and technology produced by our university. Our goal is to increase the number of Q1 and Q2 level publications in the short and medium term.

Educating Successful Students on National and International Levels

In 2023, ÇOMÜ maintained high-quality standards in undergraduate and graduate education. The number of accredited programs continues to increase. We are fully confident that our goal of achieving a five-year full institutional accreditation will be realized following the upcoming evaluations. The university continues to educate successful students on national and international levels.

Making a Name for Itself with Societal Contribution Activities and Social Responsibility Projects

Our university has contributed to regional development through various activities aimed at the community. These activities include educational and consultancy services, health screenings, and various courses. Additionally, ÇOMÜ has continued to conduct various social responsibility projects in 2023, demonstrating its commitment to contributing to society and raising awareness of social responsibility.

Hosting Numerous International and National Events

Our university hosted numerous international and national events in 2023. These events facilitated the sharing and integration of cultural knowledge and experiences among participants from different countries and cities. Additionally, various art and sports events were organized, contributing to the social and cultural development of our students and academicians.

Increasing Our Contribution to Regional Development

In 2023, ÇOMÜ continued to engage in R&D and technology transfer activities by collaborating with public and private sector institutions in the region. These activities contributed to regional development and improved living standards. Our university also established application and research centers in various fields to meet regional needs and contribute to regional development.

These achievements demonstrate ÇOMÜ's strong position in education and research and its commitment to serving society.

Our Goal is to Raise the Bar in All Areas of Our Work

We will continue to strive to elevate our standards in education and research. We are committed to increasing our international visibility, contributing more to society, and providing the best education for our students."

Following Rector Erenoğlu's speech, plaques and certificates were presented to the recipients of the Institutional Support Awards by protocol members. The awardees included the Gallipoli Historical Site Presidency, Çanakkale Police Department, Balıkesir Fire Department, İÇTAŞ Çelik Energy Shipyard and Transportation Industry Inc., Kale Group Çanakkale Ceramic Factories Inc., OPET Petroleum Inc., Dardanel Önentaş Food Industry Inc., Doğanlar Holding, Biga Chamber of Commerce, Ezine Food Specialized Organized Industrial Zone, Kolunsağ Muflon Industry Ltd., Uluova Dairy Trade Inc., and UM Maritime Industry Inc.

The award for Prof. Dr. Nurettin Şahiner from the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Science, who was listed in the "World's Most Influential Scientists" by Stanford University in the "Elsevier Lifetime Impact" category, was presented to the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Dr. Hava Özay.

The ÇOMÜ 2023 Bests Ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates to the academic and administrative staff who received the ÇOMÜ Quality Development Award.