Kırıkkale University Visits Bosnia and Herzegovina for Collaboration and Attends Srebrenica Commemoration Ceremony

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, Assoc. Prof. Şevket Evci, Secretary General, Assist. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Başer, Head of International Office, attended bilateral cooperation meetings at Tuzla University as a part of their visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan delivered a speech titled “Our Common Heritage and Our Future: History of Science” at Tuzla University.

Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić, Rector of Tuzla University, Prof. Dr. Amir Karić, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and the new Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Semir Ahmetbegović, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Selma Ćebić Babajić and Mirha Mujkanović, International Office officials, and other officials attended the meeting.

Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić was pleased with the visit. She stated that these meetings between Tuzla University and Kırıkkale University will contribute to the strengthening of our historical and cultural ties. Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan gave information about the education and training activities, academic research and international collaborations opportunities between both universities.

Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan gave information about Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin and his studies at his speech titled “Our Common Heritage and Future: History of Science”, and mentioned about Muslim scientists such as Ulugh Beg, Ali Qushji, Biruni, Ibn Sina and Khwarezmi, who played an important role in the Golden Age of Islam. Our Rector invited the participants to Türkiye to see our studies closely and suggested that they examine Fuat Sezgin's 17-volume work Geschichte des Arabischen Schrifttums (History of Arab-Islamic Sciences). Also, Our Rector explained the special value that our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan places on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan said that for a better future, our youth should be informed about the contributions of our civilization to the history of science. The seminar ended with a question-answer session.

During the visit, a protocol was signed between Kırıkkale University and Tuzla University regarding the studies to be carried out in the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

In addition, our delegation visited Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Tuzla University. Prof. Dr. Alan Topčić and faculty members gave information about the studies carried out at the faculty. Collaboration opportunities with Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Kırıkkale University were discussed, and the delegation visited the laboratories at the faculty.

Bosnian students informed our rector about their education and goals. Finally, the delegation visited the DKR (Deutsches Kompetenzzentrum für Robotik) Center of Excellence.

Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić, Rector of Tuzla University, Prof. Dr. Amir Karić, Dean of the Faculty of Law and the new Rector, Prof. Dr. Šekib Umihanić, Director of Tuzla University Clinical Center, Prof. Dr. Šefika Umihanić, Tuzla University Faculty Member at Faculty of Medicine, visited Dr. Ahmed Omerović, Tuzla Canton Minister of Education. Dr. Ahmed Omerović gave information about the education system in Tuzla. Our Rector stated that we were ready to support vocational education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, Assoc. Prof. Şevket Evci, Secretary General, Assist. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Başer participated in the Marš Mira (Peace March) event held on the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. Our Rector and the delegation visited the Srebrenica Memorial Cemetery in Potocari. Our Rector stated that the humanitarian tragedies that continue today in Gaza, East Turkestan and other parts of the world should not be forgotten and commemorations of Marš Mira and Srebrenica represent a responsibility for all of us to protect peace, justice and human dignity.

The photo following shows the battery factory where Bosnians were massacred. The factory was turned into a museum with the support of TİKA. All the imams who started to work after graduating from the Sarajevo Hacı Hüsrev Bey Madrasa were murdered. While some have graves, some are still missing.

The photo following is the last point of Marš Mira. Srebrenica, Potocari Cemetery with 8372 graves, and new graves continue to be built.

In 1995, the Bosnian people tried to escape from the massacre by moving from Srebrenica to the safe zone of Tuzla. During the march, which lasted more than 6 months, more than 8000 people were killed, and approximately 3500 people survived. To ensure that this massacre is not forgotten, thousands of people from around the world participate in Marš Mira every year between July 8th and 10th.