The Central Black Sea Career Fair, hosted by Samsun University under the coordination of the Presidential Human Resources Office, opened on January 10, 2024. Kastamonu University's stand, which is a stakeholder in the 2-day fair, attracted great interest.
Organized under the coordination of the Presidential Human Resources Office, OKAF'24 opened its doors to its visitors with a ceremony held on January 10, 2024, under the theme "Talent is Everywhere" and with the motto "Carry 100 Years of Heritage to the Future.". The Middle Black Sea Career Fair 2024 (OKAF'24), which brought together sector representatives, graduates, and graduation candidates, took place at the Samsun Fair and Congress Center. Many participating institutions, organizations, and company officials, officials of non-governmental organizations, citizens, and students attended the fair.
Samsun University Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Aydın made the opening speech and said, "While planning our fair today, we were inspired by the 100-year tradition and future of our Republic. Our motto is not only stating to our students that they are our future, but also putting all the responsibility on them and giving them the message that we need to support them along their path."
"Career fairs offer students self-confidence and the opportunity to connect with the industry."
Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, who made a short speech at the opening ceremony, stated that career fairs are of great importance for students, not only in terms of job opportunities but also in terms of improving their self-confidence and providing the opportunity to connect with the sector. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal stated that career fairs are held not only in neighboring provinces but also all over Turkey.
In addition to our Rector, Çankırı Karatekin University Rector Prof. Dr. Harun Çiftçi, Hitit University Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Öztürk, Ordu University Rector Prof. Dr. Orhan Baş, Sinop University Rector Prof. Dr. Şakir Taşdemir, and Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Yılmaz also made speeches at the opening ceremony. After the protocol speeches, the opening ribbon of the fair was cut. AK Party Deputy Chairman Fuat Köktaş, AK Party Samsun MP Erhan Aksu, Samsun Garrison Commander Gazi Major General Davut Ala, Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç, district mayors, and district governors also attended the fair.
Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Demir, who took the floor after the Rectors at the opening ceremony, said that such fairs are important for young people to take their first steps in their careers and emphasized the importance of correct guidance in the first steps taken. Drawing attention to the correct use of both human resources and state resources, Demir underlined that Samsun Metropolitan Municipality will take the necessary steps.
Speaking after Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Demir, Samsun Deputy Governor Şevket Cinbir said, "We have a desire and goal to reach the level of contemporary civilizations. For this, we have to work, come together, and work to realize our goals for the future. If we renew our unity and solidarity and continue to work within the framework of our goals for the future with the strength we get from this, we will not have any goals that we cannot realize."
In the 2-day Middle Black Sea Career Fair, which includes activities such as job/internship opportunities, interview simulation, workshops/case studies, career interviews, institution introductions, and employer career talks, our university also took part by opening a stand. Participants who visited the stand of our university in the fair area were informed about the activities of our university by our academic and administrative staff. Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, also visited the stands of universities and companies that opened stands in the fair area and received information about the work done.
