Kastamonu University participated in the Science Communication Office Universities Meeting event organized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
The Science Communication Office Universities Meeting, organized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), was held on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the Presidency of YÖK.
The event aimed to introduce the Science Communication Office, established within the Council of Higher Education (CoHE), to universities, to coordinate studies focused on science communication, and to present the “Turkish Scientists Inventory” software. The meeting was held in the presence of CoHE President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar. Representing our university, Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük and Press Counselor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selver Mertoğlu attended the event.
Higher Education Council Executive Board Member Prof. Dr. Naci Gündoğan and Higher Education Council President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar delivered the opening speeches of the event.
Özvar emphasized that universities not only produce academic knowledge but also have the responsibility to share this knowledge with society. Stating that science is one of the most significant forces driving societies forward, Özvar explained that the Science Communication Office established within the Council of Higher Education will enhance interaction between scientists and the public. He noted that, through the “Science Homeland” project, Turkish scientists worldwide are expected to collaborate and conduct joint studies, strengthening the ties between scientists to increase academic productivity.
Özvar stated that science communication should not be limited to academic publications and emphasized the importance of conveying information to a broad audience through popular science writings, digital media, public events, and documentaries. He highlighted the necessity of understanding scientific knowledge correctly and presenting it from reliable sources, stressing that scientists should develop more effective communication strategies to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation. Pointing out the impact of topics such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and climate change on society, Özvar emphasized the critical need to increase public trust in science in these areas.
Following the opening speeches, various panels on science communication were organized. In his presentation titled “Science Communication Against Disinformation,”İdris Kardaş, Coordinator of the Center for Combating Disinformation at the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, emphasized that scientists and academic institutions should develop more effective communication strategies to prevent the spread of misinformation.
ITU Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Lütfiye Durak Ata, in her talk “New Approaches and Future Strategies in Science Communication,” evaluated the impact of digitalization on science communication. GTU Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Elif Damla Arısan, in her presentation “The Power of Universities in Disseminating Scientific Knowledge,” offered suggestions on how universities can share scientific knowledge with society more effectively.
Following the lunch break, YÖK Press and Public Relations Counselor Çiğdem Savaşçıoğlu delivered a presentation on the functioning and objectives of the Science Communication Office. The presentation emphasized that this new office aims to bring scientific knowledge to a broad audience by collaborating with universities across Turkey.
The “Turkish Scientist Network Project” wasintroduced by ITU Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emrah Acar aims to facilitate collaboration between Turkish scientists in Turkey and abroad on joint projects. In his “Science Communication Practices”presentation, METU Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Yunus Eren Kalay evaluated effective methods and applicable science communication strategies.
