As part of the November 11th National Afforestation Day, our university supported the sapling planting events held simultaneously across the country under the patronage of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with broad participation.
This year's activities strongly reflected both our students' love of nature and our university's awareness of social responsibility.
Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Rıdvan Şahin participated in a program organized in the Karşıyaka neighborhood by the Gümüşhane Governor's Office and coordinated by the Gümüşhane Forest Management Directorate. He planted 1,000 Scots pine saplings with other officials. Attendees included Gümüşhane Governor Aydın Baruş, Deputy Governor Muhammet Deniz Kılınç, Gümüşhane Mayor Vedat Soner Başer, Provincial Council President Eşref Balki, institution directors, students, TEMA Foundation volunteers, and citizens.
A meaningful event was held on the campuses of Şiran Dursun Keleş Health Vocational School and Mustafa Beyaz Vocational School. Şiran District Governor Zeynep Topcu, Mayor Abdulbaki Kara, Mustafa Beyaz Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. Şükrü Gürler, Dursun Keleş Vocational School Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdulveli Sirat, Tomara and Şiran Forest Management Directorate personnel, TEMA Foundation Gümüşhane Provincial Representative and our university's GençTEMA Club academic advisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neva Doğan, TEMA Foundation Gümüşhane Central District Representative Demet Akdik Bayraktar, representatives of public institutions and NGOs, our students, and academics participated in the afforestation campaign alongside our Rector Prof. Dr. Oktay Yıldız. A total of 500 Scots pine saplings were planted on the campus with the slogan "In the Green Homeland Mobilization." Participants planted the saplings in the soil to expand the campus's green spaces and create a natural protection line against erosion. The joy of the little scout group who participated in the event added another dimension to the excitement of the day.
Having completed its afforestation efforts in Şiran, our university team held a meaningful event in the forested area of ​​the Erdemli neighborhood of Kocadal Village, in the Torul district, with the participation of our international students. The land, prepared for planting by the Gümüşhane Forest Management Directorate, was planted with 500 wild pear saplings, 30 kilograms of rosehip seeds, and hundreds of walnuts. Our international students, along with Rector Prof. Dr. Oktay Yıldız, Gümüşhane Forest Management Manager Alper Aksu, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Rıdvan Şahin, our academics, TEMA Foundation representatives, Forest Management personnel, and villagers, demonstrated the finest example of unity and solidarity by working hard to protect nature. After the event, our students and I unwinded in the heart of the forest with music and entertainment. The gathering of young people from different countries, working together for the same purpose, added a powerful meaning to the event.
Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Oktay Yıldız, shared the following statements in his message regarding the meaning of the day:
Every sapling that reaches the ground is a silent assurance of our hope for the future. Today, we were delighted to contribute to our country's afforestation campaign and to see our local and international students unite towards the same goal. Every step taken in unity serves a stronger future. On this occasion, I would like to thank, first and foremost, our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, our public institutions who volunteer their efforts with a commitment to protecting nature, our TEMA Foundation representatives, our international students, and the people of Torul Kocadal Village, Erdemli Neighborhood, for their invaluable contributions.