The opening speeches of the program were delivered by PAU Rector Professor Mahmud Güngör and AK Party Denizli Provincial Chairman Muhammet Subaşıoğlu.

Rector Güngör Announced the Establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Engineering Department at PAU

In his speech, PAU Rector Professor Mahmud Güngör stated:
“Digitalization has become a major topic on Türkiye’s agenda, particularly for universities, following the instructions of our President. As Pamukkale University, we must also embrace this transformation. Artificial intelligence continues to be one of the key topics on the global agenda. Internationalization is another priority area for universities. Since my appointment, we have signed nearly 300 international program-based agreements with universities around the world. Pamukkale University has risen from 38th to 12th place among non-European universities. I am particularly pleased to see that our young minds are working diligently on digitalization projects, especially within our Technopark, Faculty of Technology, and Faculty of Engineering. This year, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) opened programs related to artificial intelligence in three of our vocational schools. As Pamukkale University, we have initiated the process of establishing an Artificial Intelligence Engineering Department within our Faculty of Engineering. Hopefully, this department will be opened in the upcoming term. As the Rectorate, I would like to once again emphasize that we stand by you in every possible way and with every available resource. I extend my best regards to you all.”

Provincial Chairman Subaşıoğlu: “I Believe Our Youth Will Greatly Benefit from Today’s Program on Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization Vision”

AK Party Denizli Provincial Chairman Muhammet Subaşıoğlu stated:
“When we talk about the digital vision, we trace its roots back to the term ‘digit,’ which means number or unit — in other words, something expressed numerically. As a social scientist myself — a graduate of Political Science and International Relations with a strong background in statistics — I can say that the entire world is transitioning to a digital age where everything is measured and expressed numerically. However, as our Rector mentioned, there is also the spiritual dimension, which cannot be expressed in numbers. We need to find a balance between the two. As our Rector highlighted, the Merkezefendi Municipality Anatolian Imam Hatip High School was founded with the motto that those who deal only with natural sciences may fall into doubt, while those who study only religious sciences may fall into dogmatism. We must avoid both extremes and find a balanced path. That’s why we established a school that moves forward on the foundation of spirituality while being in harmony with the digital world. I believe that within the framework of today’s program on artificial intelligence and digitalization, our youth will greatly benefit from Mr. Buğra’s insights.”

In the continuation of the program, Buğra Yüksel, Chairman of the Board of Kodpit Technology Inc.—a technology company providing national and international services in web and mobile applications, Industry 4.0, education, and information security—delivered a presentation titled “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Türkiye’s Digital Vision.”