The "Quality School for Youth" was officially opened at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University in partnership with the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Young Quality Society, and the University Student Societies Cooperation and Support Program (ÜNİDES). The program aims to provide students with practical knowledge of YÖKAK (Higher Education Quality Council), EFQM, and ISO 9001:2015 standards. Additionally, the school focuses on equipping students with skills in process management, continuous improvement, and digital quality management, enabling them to develop innovative solutions through project applications on BKYS (Integrated Quality Management System) software. The initiative seeks to cultivate "Quality Ambassadors" within the university and ensure they sustain this role after graduation. As part of the opening ceremony, a "Rector-Student Meeting" was also organized. The event took place on December 17, 2025, at the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center, 15 July National Will Hall. In addition to Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, the program was attended by Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Musa Özata and Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, Secretary General Asst. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin İlter, personnel from the Kırşehir Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, deans, directors, academic and administrative staff, and a large number of students.

The program commenced with a presentation by Göksu Ceren Tüysüz, a senior student from the Department of History at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Representative of Student Quality Ambassadors, who detailed the activities of the quality ambassadors. Providing information on the vision and mission of the Student Quality Ambassadors, Tüysüz expressed their happiness in actively participating in the quality management processes of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University.

Subsequently, Lecturer Dr. Songül Demirkan, the Advisor of the Young Quality Student Society, took the floor to provide information about the unit and its activities. Noting that a Quality Ambassador works to ensure student participation in higher education quality processes and to disseminate a culture of quality in line with the mission and vision of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Demirkan added that they are delighted to open the "Quality School for Youth" at our university as part of the ÜNİDES project.

Rector Karahocagil: "Quality is Valuable to Us, and We Are Highly Pleased with Our Students' Involvement in the Process"

Following Lecturer Songül Demirkan, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil took the floor to deliver his greeting speech, inaugurate the "Quality School for Youth," and give the first lecture. Providing information on the quality processes and initiatives of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Rector Karahocagil stated that quality efforts are not merely a reporting process for our university, but a significant endeavor that must be carried out collectively by involving all stakeholders. "Quality is valuable to us, and we are highly pleased with our students' involvement in the process," said Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, explaining that they conduct the quality process by leaning on Ahi values. He continued his speech as follows: "While doing our work, we strive to do the best and even better. As the administration, we carry out quality efforts through consultation and collective wisdom. As our students, we expect you to act as quality ambassadors virtuously and voluntarily, becoming the 'Ahis' of today." Touching upon Kırşehir Ahi Evran University’s extensive experience in quality studies later in his speech, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil emphasized that the contribution of students to quality efforts is vital. He urged them to participate in these activities by internalizing the process and feeling a sense of belonging to it.

Rector Karahocagil: "Quality at Our University is Built on Ahi Values and the Principle of 'Competing in Good Deeds'"

Following the greeting speech, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil officially inaugurated the "Quality School for Youth" and delivered the first lecture titled "The Relationship Between Quality in Higher Education and Ahi Culture." Highlighting that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University has been conducting quality efforts for ten years, Rector Karahocagil explained the meaning and evolution of Quality Assurance in higher education, stating, "Defining quality as 'fitness for purpose' is a more accurate description." In the continuation of the lecture, our University Rector touched upon topics such as the development and importance of quality assurance in higher education, the contemporary understanding of quality assurance, our university's experience in quality management, and the philosophy of Ahi Culture in relation to quality management. Rector Karahocagil continued his speech as follows: "Our university continues its quality efforts—which we define as 'competing in excellence'—by rooting them in Ahi values. This is because the Ahi organization was not only a professional guild but also an early-period, value-based quality movement. Quality is the lost treasure of our civilization, and we believe it will be the driving force of this era. The more quality efforts are built upon Ahi values, the better, more beautiful, and more beneficial it will be for our nation and all of humanity."

Following his first lecture, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil chatted with the youth and answered their questions as part of the "Rector-Student Meeting" program. The event concluded with a commemorative group photo.