National KOP (Konya Lowland Project) Regional Development Symposium

National KOP (Konya Lowland Project) Regional Development Symposium which be held between November 14-16 has initiated at Dedeman Hotel. Among attendants there are Minister of Food, Agriculture and Stockbreeding Mehdi Eker, Minister of Development Cevdet Yılmaz, Deputies, Governor of Konya Muammer Erol, Governor of Karaman Murat Koca, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor of Konya Tahir Akyürek, our university’s Rector Muzaffer Şeker and Vice Rectors; Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Aydın, Prof. Dr. Birol Akgün, Prof. Dr. Tahir Yüksek, Head of KOP Development Administration Prof. Dr. Mehmet Babaoğlu, Rector of Selçuk University Hakkı Gökbel, Rector of Niğde University Prof. Dr. Adnan Görür, Rector of Aksaray University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Acar, Rector of Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey University Prof. Dr. Sabri Gökmen, Rector of KTO (Konya Chamber of Commerce) Karatay University Ömer Torlak, Rector of Mevlana Universitiy Prof. Dr. Bahattin Adam, academicians, sector’s representatives, press members, guests from and out of Konya.

In his opening speech Head of KOP Regional Development Administration Prof. Dr. Mehmet Babaoğlu spoke as: “This region has a specific precipitation regime. For centuries this region is assigned for its agriculture production. Agriculture without water is impossible. Whatever you do in this geography, you can’t supply water for more than 30% of this region. This region left out of game due to not only drought but also increasing distance between science, wisdom and us. Altogether we should introduce distinctive projects for the development of this region. It is significant that after tackling infrastructure issues we should deal with the qualified personnel issue.”

Municipality Mayor of Konya Tahir Akyürek said : “We host a project which is very important for our Konya and region. Ten years ago, this implementation of this subject would be only an illusion, a red apple. Thanks to God, realization of this project is destined to our government. KOP will turn into a productivity fully supplying the demand of Turkey. I would like to thank those who organized this programme.”

On behalf of all deputies of region in the parliament Deputy Ayşe Türkmenoğlu had a word: “God willing this national symposium develops into an international symposium. Water means civilization. Permanence of life depends of existence of water. We ascribe much importance to KOP and Blue Tunnel Projects. Elimination of water supply problem will have influence not only on agriculture and stockbreeding but also on industrial development. Turkey has just perceived the strength it has. I think there is not any problem that we can’t solve as long as we keep our unity and togetherness.”

Minister of Food, Agriculture and Stockbreeding Mehdi Eker said: “Turkey has already adapted itself to transformation from central planning to regional planning namely mobilization of local dynamics. This symposium proves this. To the center of development world has placed human, local dynamics and activation of these. Today at this symposium with KOP project we experience a reflection of this mentality. We got to transfer our experiences obtained from GAP (Southeast Anatolian Project) to KOP. We gathered great experience from GAP. KOP does not only consist of agriculture, stockbreeding and irrigation. It comprises multi sectors such as industry, transportation, logistic, trade, folklore, culture, health and a lot more. Underdevelopment of human resource and misusage of labor and national resources brings along catastrophe rather than fertility. In fact, KOP project is last century’s dreamt project like Marmaray. Generally Turkey has a semi-arid climate. We don’t possess wealthy water resources. Therefore, we must make use of our above-under soil water resources wisely and take necessary measures. I would like to thank everybody who put effort in organization of this symposium and wish that this symposium induces beneficence for everybody.”

Minister of Development Cevdet Yılmaz said: “Last decade Turkey has made a significant progress. Turkey should not content itself with these successes and carry them further. Turkey has 2023 goal. If we put aims, we got to analyze these aims thoroughly as well. Our plan resides on four axes. First time in our country, in a plan first step was taken in social matters rather than economy. Our principal plan is qualified human and strong community. To improve development process is only possible through altogether energy and strength of all regions. We would like to share all fruits of development with everybody. Our region has a great potential from agricultural aspect however water sources are scarce. These subjects carry very much importance: Consumption of water efficiently, infrastructure required, formation of flora that is in need of least water. We should appreciate KOP as human oriented regional development plan. We ascend our investments substantially. We should build a work based on knowledge at regional level. Universities are the fundament of this. Universities are not only the places where educational and research activities take place. At the same time they are development institutions. First fruit was this symposium. The matters derived from here will illuminate. I would like to thank to all those who put effort.”

After their speeches Minister of Food, Agriculture and Stockbreeding Mehdi Eker, Minister of Development Cevdet Yılmaz answered the questions of audiences.

At the session carried out first day in the afternoon rectors of universities located in KOP region have made speeches. Speeches were made respectively according to foundation date of universities and rectors put emphasis on importance of KOP, made evaluations on cooperation between university and industry and communal agreement.

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker in his speech said followings: “Our country has great opportunities ahead. We live in country which has got over silently and almost undamaged an internationally profoundly felt and against expectations still prevailing economic crisis. We owe this success to stability, our system that is based on a firm economic substructure. In this context, I would like to lay stress on importance of stability again as my friends said before. For fertility we got duties to fulfill though there is a delicate subject in front of our country: Squandering. I would like to attract your attention to squandering. I thing we have to consume more carefully. We consume a little more and unnecessarily. We do this as state, family and individual. We are in need of a reform in higher education. This issue concerns all of us and more importantly our grandchildren, future generations. Turkey can’t reach anywhere with actual higher education laws. Our friends have criticized themselves seriously. Most of these critiques consist of economic and administrative problems. Turkey must accept that it has failed and did badly in vocational education. We may put the blame on February, the 28 and on others. Though, it is a fact that we failed. We have to take vocational education in hand again. There is benefit in undertaking a new arrangement about this issue together with our industrial and commercial institutions. In the name of inventory study, I would like to lay stress on the importance of disclosure of regional inventory and updating this knowledge in each term by universities. As universities, in the context of deferred investment and planning I observe that we develop at a rapid pace than needed and I would like to state that we need quality weighted development rather that quantity by behaving more carefully and stepping on the brakes. We know that our universities oriented to regional development couldn’t mount the thematic university perception; although at least from now on we can concentrate on thematic structure and development of mutual relation. 2023 goals are splendid; on the other hand we can’t achieve them by sleeping. We have to produce more, raise more qualified individuals; a more efficient production, a more provident consumption and reasonable expenditures on required subjects are compulsory for us. With these wishes I would like to salute and thank you all.

After the panel plates were presented to Honorary Organizing Council members; to our Rector Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, Rectors of Niğde, Aksaray, Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey, KTO Karaty, Mevlana and Selçuk University.