Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, who visited Kırşehir for official engagements, delivered the opening lecture of the 2024-2025 academic year to students of the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, and Vocational School of Health Services. The lecture took place on September 20, 2024, at the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center, in the 15 July Milli İrade Hall. The event was attended by Kırşehir Governor H. Mete Buhara, Deputy of Kırşehir Necmettin Erkan, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, General Director of Health Promotion Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Atak, Kırşehir Deputy-Governor İsmail Çetinkaya, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, and Prof. Dr. Musa Özata, General Secretary Dr. Hüseyin İlter, AK Party Provincial Chair Seher Ünsal, local officials, unit heads, academic and administrative staff, and students.

Before the program, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu attended the welcoming ceremony held at Kırşehir Governorship. In the governor's office, Rector Karahocagil and provincial administrators had a conversation with Minister Memişoğlu for a while.

Rector Karahocagil: “We Look to the Future with Hope and Confidence”

The 2024-2025 Academic Year Opening Lecture Program started after the reception. Rector of KAEU Prof. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil gave the opening speech, wishing the students a successful academic year. He provided information about the history and development of KAEU, emphasizing that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University was a young and successful institution at 18 years old. He mentioned that since its foundation, the university has gained prominence in its region and received numerous awards. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil also highlighted that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University was improving its standing in international success rankings. He stated that the university has been guided by the motto “Journey to Excellence in the Footsteps of Akhism,” focusing on quality work. "Kırşehir Ahi Evran University has developed its own Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) software, which is now being used by various universities and institutions," he said. Rector Karahocagil explained that the university's quality work was based on Akhism values, which they would continue to rely on in the future. "Our quality efforts, inspired by the values of Akhism, will continue. The Akhism organization is not only a professional guild but also a 'Value-Based Quality Movement,' and 'Quality is the Lost Treasure of our Civilization.' We believe that the driving force of this era will be quality, and the more quality work is built on Akhism values, the more beneficial it will be for our nation and all of humanity." At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil mentioned that the university has been working on various health-related projects as part of the “Mission Differentiation and Specialization Focused on Regional Development” program. He cited pilot projects such as the Geothermal-Based Rehabilitation Center (JEOKAREM), the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (GETAT) Project, and the Athlete Health Research, Application, and Thermal Rehabilitation Center (SAUTER) as significant contributions to health services for Kırşehir and the region. "We look to the future with hope and confidence," said Rector Karahocagil, expressing his pleasure in hosting the Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, at the university and congratulating the students on the new academic year.

Minister Memişoğlu: “Anyone Can Be a Doctor, But Not Everyone Can Be a Physician”

Following Rector Karahocagil’s speech, Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu addressed the audience. He expressed his happiness at being in the ancient city of Kırşehir and highlighted that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University was an important institution recognized for its health-related projects. Delivering the opening lecture for the academic year, Minister Memişoğlu focused on ethics in healthcare. He discussed the history of healthcare and emphasized that physicians should be trustworthy, cultured, and knowledgeable members of society. Minister Memişoğlu also stressed the importance of showing empathy towards patients and mentioned that healthcare professions should be pursued with passion. "Healthcare professions are difficult to carry out without love. Anyone can be a doctor, but not everyone can be a physician. The greatest quality of a physician is selflessness. Physicians must show empathy when treating patients," he said. He offered advice to students, saying, "You are the future. You must work harder and strive to excel, producing knowledge and technology in the healthcare field." After answering students’ questions, Minister Memişoğlu concluded his lecture and took selfies with the students, wishing them success in the new academic year.

At the end of the program, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil presented a gift to the Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu.