Organized by Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) and held for the 29th time this year, “International Science and Youth Week” Spring Fest (BEUN FEST 26) began with great enthusiasm and strong participation. Hosting many events from science and sports to arts and culture, the festival opened its doors to students with the opening program held at 15 Temmuz Şehitler Campus.
The program began with a moment of silence and singing of the National Anthem in front of Üç Mehmet Monument on 15 Temmuz Şehitler Campus. Afterwards, the traditional BEUN parade, accompanied by the Kilimli Headteacher Şükrü Yavuz Secondary School Marching Band and starting in front of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, created colorful and meaningful scenes across the campus.
The parade included BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Zehra Safi Öz, senate members, academic and administrative staff, and many students. International students also added color to the parade with their traditional clothing and flags representing their countries. The march, held with the intense participation of academic and administrative staff, students, and members of the press, turned the campus into a true youth festival.
The Opening of BEUN FEST 26 Witnessed Enthusiastic Moments
Following the parade , the official opening of the 29th International Science and Youth Week was held with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Open Sports Area. During the opening ceremony, the excitement of the students and the festival atmosphere across the campus attracted great attention. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, folk dance performances from the Ardahan and Zonguldak regions were presented by the folk dance team of the Zonguldak Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. Following the highly appreciated performances, international students also added color to the festival with dance performances from their own cultures. The performances staged by students from different countries received long applause from the audience.
Student Clubs’ Stands Attracted Great Attention
The stands belonging to the student clubs attracted attention from visitors. Active in fields such as scientific, cultural, artistic, and social responsibility, student clubs introduced their activities to visitors. Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer showed interest to students closely when he visited the stands himself. Being informed on their activities, Rector Özölçer had conversations with students and had a commemorative photo.
The stands offering local foods and local products are introduced also attracted interest. Students and academics had enjoyable moments in the friendly and colorful athmosphere.
Rector Özölçer: “Our Campus Will Flourish with the Excitement of Science and the Energy of Youth”
Speaking to members of the local press during the opening program, Rector Prof. Dr. Özölçer expressed his happiness at being together with young people and stated:
“We are delighted to be together with our students and guests on this meaningful occasion. Being under the same roof with such valuable young people at our university and witnessing their enthusiasm, productivity, and achievements is a great source of pride for us. Yesterday, we celebrated the 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in our city with great enthusiasm. On this occasion, I once again sincerely congratulate our beloved youth and our esteemed nation on this special day.”
Emphasizing that universities are not merely institutions where academic knowledge is provided, Rector Özölçer continued his remarks as follows:
“For three days, our campus will come alive with the excitement of science, the energy of youth, and the unifying spirit of sports. With the events prepared by our student clubs, cultural activities, sporting competitions, and social awareness projects, our university will truly transform into a festival of youth.”
Rector Özölçer: “The Success and Happiness of Our Students Are Extremely Valuable to Us”
Stating that students had gone through an intense academic year, Rector Özölçer expressed his hope that the festival would provide students with motivation ahead of the upcoming final examinations and said:
“Our students have worked very hard throughout the year. At times, they went through demanding periods with exams and projects. However, all of these efforts are preparing them more strongly for the future and their professional lives. I believe this festival will provide our students with morale and motivation. I wish all our students great success in the final examinations that will begin after the holiday.”
On the occasion of the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday, Rector Özölçer also conveyed his holiday wishes to the students, wishing safe travels to those who would be visiting their families and expressing his hopes for health, peace, and happiness.
The Nature-Friendly Environmental Truck Also Took Its Place at the Festival
As part of BEUN FEST 26, activities aimed at raising environmental awareness also attracted great interest. Within the scope of the Green Campus Festival organized under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and with the contributions of the Turkish Environment Agency, the Nature-Friendly Environmental Truck, traveling across Türkiye with the slogan “We are on the road for the environment, standing by young people,” met with students at BEUN.
At the event area set up in front of the Farabi Campus Sports Hall, students had the opportunity to receive information from expert teams on many topics, including zero waste, recycling, the Deposit Management System, and the protection of the marine ecosystem. Through hands-on activities, experience zones, and interactive presentations, young people closely experienced the culture of sustainable living. The recycling glass workshop established within the scope of the festival also attracted significant interest from students. In the workshop, where expired glass waste materials were transformed into aesthetic products, personalized gifts were prepared for students. While the prize wheel and virtual reality experience areas added color to the event, the VR experience focusing particularly on the marine ecosystem contributed to strengthening environmental awareness among young people.
At the information booths staffed by experts from the Turkish Environment Agency, students were guided on sustainable lifestyle habits, while competitions and practical activities aimed to increase environmental awareness among young people.
BEUN FEST 26 Will Continue for Three Days
The 29th International Science and Youth Week will continue between May 20–22 with concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, art performances, sporting events, and various student activities. Throughout the three-day events to be held at the Farabi Campus, students are expected to create unforgettable memories.
