The "Direction Workshop", organized by KAEU Quality Management Coordinatorship, started with the opening session. The workshop which was helded on December 26, 2023 at the Neşet Ertaş Hall of Congress and Culture Center was attended by the Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, Prof. Dr. Musa Özata, Secretary General Dr. Hüseyin İlter, external stakeholders, academic and administrative personnel of the university and the students. 

Vice Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek delivered the opening speech at the workshop. Starting his speech by emphasizing the positive example set by the interaction with stakeholders of KAEU, Şimşek stated that workshops were organized to generate new ideas and develop original solutions. He mentioned that they organized this workshop to propose solutions to university-related issues and broaden perspectives. Expressing the desire to discuss ideas that would shape the future of the university through interactive sessions with a wide range of participants, Şimşek believed that valuable suggestions for shaping the university's policies would emerge from this workshop. He emphasized that their goal was to build the university and its future together with a participatory governance approach. Şimşek stated that taking on this responsibility motivated them to do positive things for the country and the future of the country's youth, and therefore, they worked together with stakeholders to shape the second leap period of the university.

Expressing hope that important findings and suggestions would emerge from this workshop, Şimşek stated, "In this era of uncertainty where various conflicts occur worldwide, we turn to your valuable opinions to find our direction. With the contributions you will provide, we are confident that you will offer new ideas and suggestions for the future of our university. In this way, it will be possible to solve our problems with more rational methods and develop a broader perspective in our approach." Şimşek mentioned that the workshop, to be organized, would differentiate life at our university in the short term and, in the long term, inspire other universities to develop their own strategies. He concluded his remarks by thanking all participants for their interest and contributions.

Following the speech by Vice Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil gave a speech. Emphasizing that quality improvement was not a result but a process, and that their efforts would continue in the future, Rector Karahocagil highlighted that quality should become a way of life. He pointed out that, from this perspective, the guild system was both a professional organization and a quality management system that prioritized social responsibility and was the subject of scientific studies. Expressing that they took another step today with the motto "Journey to Excellence in the Footsteps of Akhism," Rector Karahocagil stated that they valued stakeholder opinions within the new contemporary understanding of quality and emphasized customer orientation. In this context, Rector Karahocagil stated that they insisted on increasing interaction with stakeholders, ensuring their loyalty and belonging, and implementing the principle of co-governance. He also expressed that the EFQM model essentially included employee and stakeholder participation, loyalty, unity of direction, and participation in management.

Rector Karahocagil stated that they drew inspiration from Akhism in all processes from education to quality and made it a principle to lean on their values. He emphasized their belief that quality would be the driving force of the new age and that this would happen by rising on the values of Akhism.

Rector Karahocagil expressed his hope that "the direction workshop they organized based on the tradition of Akhism and the tradition of consultation in their civilization would bring goodness and blessings" and stated his full belief that, "with the sincere efforts of their team, a free quality model inspired by Ahi Evran-ı Veli would emerge at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, and the adepts of this age would be nurtured". Rector Karahocagil concluded his speech by expressing gratitude to both internal and external stakeholders for their contributions.

The Direction Workshop continued after the opening session with participants moving into seminar rooms in focus groups. The workshop will continue for two days at KAEU Congress and Culture Center.