Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) brought together Turkey's first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı with its students as part of the "Burdur Fest" events. MAKÜ students showed great interest in the conference titled "Turkey's Space Mission".
The opening speech of the program was made by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Oğuz Gürsoy. Prof. Dr. Gürsoy emphasized the 20th anniversary of the university's establishment and stated that the event holds an important place within the scope of the National Technology Initiative. Vice Rector Gürsoy, emphasizing Turkey's independence goals in the field of space, stated that the program is inspiring for students.
Deputy Governor Ökkeş Furkan Karakurt, who spoke afterwards, stated that Turkey has made significant strides in the fields of science and technology in recent years. Deputy Governor Karakurt, expressing that local and national projects guide the dreams of young people, stated that Burdur Fest is an important organization in this sense and that such organizations provide great contributions to young people.
The main guest of the program, Alper Gezeravcı, emphasized that the first manned space mission is not just an individual success but a result of Turkey's scientific and technological vision. Sharing his experiences and training stages during the process of going to space, Gezeravcı drew attention to the importance of dreaming and working with determination, addressing the youth.
Gezeravcı stated that he conducted and completed 13 scientific experiments during his mission in space. He expressed that among Turkey's goals within the scope of the National Space Program are to provide independent access to space and to establish a spaceport operation, and that young people bear great responsibility in this process. Gezeravcı concluded his speech with the words, "This is not a story of arrival, but a beginning; you will write the continuation of this story."
The event was attended by Burdur Deputy Governors Ökkeş Furkan Karakurt and Yusuf Emre Yiğit, MAKÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Oğuz Gürsoy, and Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Senior Colonel Mehmet Balcı, protocol members, and MAKÜ students.
At the end of the program, a gift was presented to Alper Gezeravcı by Deputy Governor Ökkeş Furkan Karakurt and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Oğuz Gürsoy.
