The President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, inaugurated
the Science Communication Office at Erzurum Technical University (ETU).
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Özvar stated that Science Communication Offices
serve as an “interface” for universities, helping the high-quality knowledge, technology,
research outputs, and other products they produce to reach society.
“Our universities no longer remain confined within the campus walls; they are stepping out to
engage with society, the city, villages, and towns. This office will lead and guide such
engagement,” he said. Özvar emphasized that Science Communication Offices, especially in
villages, should collect concrete problems and questions and then provide solutions that are
shared back with citizens and the community.
Pointing to the necessity of collaboration with local administrators, Özvar said, “Working in
contact with our village headmen, governors, police chiefs, and, if possible, mayors will
strengthen the universities’ engagement with society and enhance the public reputation of
higher education institutions.”
“Direct engagement with our people is very valuable”
Özvar highlighted the importance of deploying the full academic and professional capacity of
universities in the field and noted the significance of having experts from different disciplines
during visits:
“We need to open the full capacity of our universities in all areas to service. Having a dentist,
psychiatrist, specialist doctor, psychologist, veterinarian, or agriculture expert with us during
visits is very valuable. Drinking tea with them, listening, chatting, and noting their problems
is one of the most important points. Recording these problems and creating an inventory will
be a very important research topic for our universities in the future. Therefore, documenting
all visits is among the most crucial tasks.”
Özvar also stated that science communication activities are important for showing that
universities are open and accessible to society, noting that this places significant
responsibilities on office staff, students, and academics.
He thanked the rectors of Atatürk University and Erzurum Technical University for their work
in this context, saying, “Direct engagement with the people of Erzurum and your contact with
them is very valuable. I hope this continues.”