Universities welcome academic year with vibrant events

As the nation gears up to kick off the new academic year for higher education institutions, many universities across the country have greeted their students in unique and engaging ways, featuring vibrant festivities and orientation programs.

Professor Necdet Budak, the rector of the western province of İzmir's Ege University, welcomed students with "boyoz," a puff pastry particular to İzmir, and "gevrek," a unique way to refer to the country's bagel-like "simit" in the province, on Oct. 7 as a way to mark a welcoming start of the semester.

Slated to hold orientation programs throughout the week, the university also held a welcoming festival for its new students yesterday. Student clubs set up stalls during the event to present their missions, with a local band playing in the evening.

In an intriguing move, Anadolu University in the central city of Eskişehir used social media to get its students to decide on the first lunch menu of the new academic year. The president of the Council of State, Zeki Yiğit, held the opening lecture titled "State of Law and Justice" at the university.

In the capital Ankara's renowned Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ), the orientation efforts commenced on Sept. 26, featuring the rector's speech, the unit's presentations and the demonstrations of the student clubs.

Harran University in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa held orientation activities from Oct. 1 to 3 this year. These events included a variety of enjoyable activities, such as horseback riding, athletics, darts, and karaoke contests. Additionally, chess competitions, streetball tournaments, art exhibitions, and traditional "Sıra Nights" — which typically take place in Şanlıurfa and involve gatherings of people eating and singing...