The 2025–2026 Academic Year External Stakeholders Meeting of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) was held with broad participation in order to strengthen cooperation between the university, public institutions, and industry, and to reinforce a shared vision.
The meeting, hosted at the Tahir Karauğuz Conference Hall on the Farabi Campus, was attended by Zonguldak Deputy Governor Halis Hacıismailoğlu, Deputy Mayor of Zonguldak Ogan Göktürk, Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Rector of Bartın University Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akkaya, Rector of Düzce University Prof. Dr. Nedim Sözbir, Quality Coordinator of Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Prof. Dr. İbrahim Çakır, provincial directors, city dignitaries, presidents of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and business representatives.
The program began with a moment of silence in memory of the nation’s fallen martyrs, followed by the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem, and continued with the opening speech by Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer.
Rector Özölçer: “We Are a Strong University with Roots Dating Back to 1924”
In his opening remarks, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer talked about the historical development of the university and emphasized BEUN’s deep-rooted heritage. Stating that the university dates back to the Higher School of Mining and Industrial Engineering established in 1924, Özölçer noted that the institution was founded in 1992 under the name Zonguldak Karaelmas University, was renamed Bülent Ecevit University in 2012, and took its current name, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, in 2018. Rector Özölçer added that today BEUN continues its education and training activities across 13 campuses, with 16 faculties, 9 vocational schools, 3 schools, and 34 application and research centers.
Rector Özölçer: “We Are a Preferred Higher Education Institution in Academia”
Sharing up-to-date data on education and training activities, Rector Özölçer stated that in the 2025–2026 Academic Year, 5,469 students from 81 provinces chose BEUN, and that the YKS quota occupancy rate reached 99%. He also presented numerical data on the university’s current structure, noting that BEUN has 30,886 students, 235 active programs, 18 accredited programs, 19 programs bearing the Türkiye Qualifications Logo, 1,333 academic staff members, 2,676 administrative staff members, 1,712 international students, and a total of 108,746 graduates to date. In addition, he stated that 11 faculty members are currently serving at BEUN within the scope of the Article-46 Program.
New Programs and a Student-Centered Education Approach
Rector Özölçer stated that as of the 2025–2026 Academic Year, the Big Data Analytics, Game Development, and Back-End Software Development programs under the Information Technologies Vocational School, as well as the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Program at Alaplı Vocational School, have begun admitting students. He emphasized that the Social Transcript Application—an important indicator of the student-centered education approach—documents students’ social, cultural, and volunteer activities in addition to their academic achievements. Özölçer also highlighted that since 2022, there has been an approximately 69% increase in the proportion of students pursuing double majors and minors.
Rector Özölçer: “Our Research, Publication, and Project Performance Is Increasing Steadily”
In his evaluation of research and development activities, Rector Özölçer stated that the number of faculty members increased from 559 in 2022 to 685 in 2025. He noted that the number of publications in SCI- and SCIE-indexed journals rose from 317 to 528, SSCI-indexed publications increased from 48 to 115, and Scopus-indexed publications reached 754, up from 471. Özölçer also stated that the total number of publications indexed in SCI, SCIE, SSCI, and AHCI increased from 368 in 2022 to 625 in 2025. Emphasizing that the number of publications per faculty member rose from 0.66 to 0.96, Rector Özölçer thanked all academics who contributed to this achievement and wished them continued success in their scholarly work.
Projects, Technopark, and National and International Scientific Achievements
Evaluating the period between 2022 and 2025, Rector Özölçer stated that the number of BAP-supported projects increased from 62 to 194, while BAP article support rose from 0 to 100. He noted that under the TÜBİTAK 2209-A Program, 99 projects were supported with a 55% acceptance rate. Emphasizing that eight BEUN academics were included in the “World’s Most Influential Scientists 2024” list prepared in collaboration with Elsevier and Stanford University, Özölçer stated that the number of companies operating in Zonguldak Technopark increased from 20 to 43, that the number of ongoing projects reached 108, and that employment for 227 people was provided. He also noted that faculty members achieved significant academic successes through utility model and patent applications, TÜBİTAK 1007 projects, TÜBİTAK Excellence Seal awards, EU-funded projects, and Doctoral Thesis of the Year awards. Özölçer emphasized that these achievements once again demonstrate the university’s strength within the international scientific community.
Social Contribution, Accessible University, and Sports Achievements
Rector Özölçer stated that within the scope of the Accessible University Awards 2025, BEUN ranked 3rd in Türkiye in the Accessible University Flags Ranking and 4th in the Program Badge Ranking, noting that the number of accessibility flags increased from 11 to 29. He also stated that BEUN ranked 4th in Türkiye within the scope of the Sports-Friendly Campus Awards.
BEUN Hospital: The Healthcare Hub of the Western Black Sea Region
Rector Özölçer stated that the University Hospital serves as the healthcare hub of the Western Black Sea Region, noting that the number of inpatients increased from 37,409 to 47,868, while the number of surgeries rose from 35,265 to 43,980. He emphasized that numerous advanced diagnostic and treatment methods—such as autologous bone marrow transplantation, endoscopic lumbar disc herniation surgery, advanced laser technologies, PET, LINAC, angiography, EBUS, and ERCP—are being successfully performed. Rector Özölçer also noted that BEUN Hospital continues to serve as the region’s healthcare hub, adding that the number of patients admitted to the Obesity and Diabetes Center increased from 30,135 to 55,150. He stated that while the University Hospital’s investment budget was 21 million TL in 2022, it reached 157 million TL in 2025, and that the bed occupancy rate rose from 77.68% to 91.54%.
Advanced Healthcare Services and the Oral and Dental Health Application and Research Center
He stated that the BEUN Oral and Dental Health Application and Research Center provides services to an annual average of 145,000 patients with 129 units, and that with the new floor project, a 20% increase in capacity and significant improvements in patient satisfaction are targeted.
Internationalization, Sustainability, Student Achievements, and ÜNİDES Successes
Rector Prof. Dr. Özölçer stated that significant increases have been achieved in the number of international master’s and doctoral students within the scope of internationalization efforts; the number of Erasmus+ agreements increased from 136 to 267, while the number of partner countries rose from 22 to 43. Referring to sustainability initiatives, Özölçer mentioned Green Roof projects, Solar Power Plant (GES) projects, and TÜRKPANET-registered practices, and emphasized that students proudly represent BEUN through their achievements in national and international sports championships, academic awards, and R&D competitions. He noted that the number of Career Center activities increased from 20 in 2022 to 55 in 2025, while the number of student clubs rose from 133 to 177. Özölçer also stated that within the scope of the ÜNİDES Program, 65 BEUN student projects were entitled to receive support over five terms. According to the results of the 5th Term of the 2025–2026 ÜNİDES Program, he emphasized that BEUN ranked 9th in Türkiye among 157 universities, with 13 projects accepted.
Social Contribution and Social Responsibility
Emphasizing that BEUN operates with a strong sense of social responsibility alongside education and research, Rector Özölçer stated that numerous social projects have been implemented in cooperation with the Zonguldak Governorship, the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, Yeşilay, the Turkish Red Crescent, and the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports. He also noted that the “Associate Degree Graduation Ceremony for Women Aged 34 and Above,” organized for the first time in Türkiye, received widespread coverage in the national media.
Evaluation and Closing
Rector Özölçer concluded his speech by sharing future-oriented goals and thanking all external stakeholders, public institutions, and representatives of the business community who contribute to the development of the university. The meeting concluded with an evaluation session and a commemorative photo shoot.
