Organized by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, to introduce the entertaining world of transportation to young people, UFEST opened its doors at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN).
Zonguldak Governor, Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Osman Boyraz, the Vice Rectors of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Prof. Dr. Şenol Hakan Kutoğlu and Prof. Dr. Bekir Hakan Bakkal, Devrek Mayor Özcan Ulupınar, bureaucrats from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, provincial protocol, senate, academics, and students attended the 27th UFEST program hosted at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University.
Vice Rector of BEUN, Prof. Dr. Şenol Hakan Kutoğlu, started his opening speech expressing his respect for the Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, who was in Ankara for the 2025-2026 Academic Year Opening Ceremony, and wished for success. He emphasized that UFEST was a big opportunity for students who are interested in transport and communication. He conveyed his thanks to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, who leads the youth with his vision, and Deputy Minister Osman Boyraz, as well as the Ministry and institutions related to the Ministry, those who contributed to the organization, academic and administrative staff, and students.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Osman Boyraz, gave his talk titled “The Future Vision of Turkish Century” following the opening speech. In his talk, he discussed the latest transportation projects and future plans for infrastructure in detail. The event also created a platform for exchanging views and interaction.
Deputy Minister Boyraz emphasized that young people form the base of the transportation vision of Türkiye and added that he examined the projects of university student clubs with great interest. “Our investment is in the youth. You can see the hard work, vision, and creativity of the youth in projects from Hürkuş and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to ANKA and railway projects. He called out to the young people, saying, “Minister Abdülkadir Uraloğlu has unlimited support towards the youth. Be with us with your projects and creativity, and we can continue this journey all together”.
Stating that BEUN Psychology Student, Havvanur Akpolat, was awarded in the 3rd Türkiye 2053 Interuniversity R&D Idea Competition, Boyraz said that the fourth period applications will begin on November 1, 2025. He noted that it is supported by the Ministry to transform such events into research and development studies. Mentioning the visionary projects of Türkiye in transportation, Boyraz completed his talk saying, “To write a story, we need to dream first. We are lucky to have young people to realize these dreams.”
At the end of the event, in the lottery draw conducted by the Deputy Minister, seven Eastern Express train tickets were gifted to students among the participants.
