The opening program held on Monday, June 8 was attended by Pamukkale University (PAU) Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmud Güngör, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Öz, Journalists Association President Özkan Tokmak, faculty deans, academic staff, Provida Sustainability Consultancy Founder Ekin Karagüngüz Uluışık, Sustainability Specialist Esra Kılıç, students, and members of the press. The theme of this year’s competition was determined as green. An exhibition consisting of works prepared by New Media and Communication students was open to visitors in the foyer area throughout the event.

Following three days of activities and jury evaluations, the projects that ranked in the competition were announced on Wednesday, June 10 at the Hierapolis Conference Hall. In the Corporate Communication Management Project category, Safe Agency: Life Triangle/Living Objects-IKEA project ranked first, Nova Agency: Akçakaya Textile-Oncology Patients project ranked second, and Fikri Harika Agency: Disaster Communication-Turkish Telekom Corporate Social Responsibility project ranked third. In the Brand Communication Project category, Dream Agency “Life View-Technological Consultancy” project ranked first, Puse Agency “Herbal Tea” project ranked second, and Unique Agency “Smart Jewelry in Cooperation with KADES” project ranked third. In the Public Relations Project category, Tenma Agency “WWF Türkiye-A Different Kind of My Homeland” project ranked first, Aurora Agency “AYDEM Renewable Energy-Sustainable Water Consumption” project ranked second, and Sanny Agency “Koç Holding It’s Your Turn” project ranked third.

The Competition, Now a Tradition, Was Held for the Ninth Time This Year

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Ali Soylu stated: “We evaluate the efforts of our students in a competition format with the support of our valuable faculty members, in a festive atmosphere at the end of each semester. Within the scope of the Public Relations Campaign and Design course, 20 projects, within the scope of Corporate Communication Management course, 12 projects, and within the scope of Brand Communication course, 16 projects are competing, making a total of 48 projects. I believe that with our 18 academic staff members, we make a significant contribution to our faculty and university in terms of impact. This small team will produce even better and more efficient work if given the opportunity. Our Rector had also promised full support, and we are seeing his support. He promised the opening of a new 30 Mac computer laboratory at the beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year. I extend my sincere thanks to him. It has been two years since our New Media department was established; with the support of our Rector and the efforts of our department chair, the double degree program (SUNY) between PAU Faculty of Communication New Media and Communication Department and State University of New York-Cortland has been approved by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), and we will start admitting students next academic year. We have physical needs; if these are met, we have the energy and willingness to achieve much more. I thank our Rector and wish success to all competing students.”

Rector Güngör: “I Am Very Satisfied and Hopeful About Our Faculty”

Speaking at the opening program, Pamukkale University Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmud Güngör stated: “First of all, I congratulate your faculty for having such a hardworking dean. I wish success to our faculty members and students who contributed to the competition. We are doing our best to solve physical problems. Some of our work is carried out through benefactors. We are working day and night as a team. With the contributions of TEI, the capacity of computers in the laboratories we established has been increased. We are applying to benefactors for the establishment of the 30-computer Mac laboratory requested by your dean. I am doing my best to establish this laboratory. This three-day competition is a good step in opening your horizons and doing mental exercises at the beginning of your profession. I believe that good projects will emerge from this competition and that it will significantly contribute to your profession. Our Faculty of Communication is one of the leading faculties in our country. I am very satisfied and hopeful about our faculty. We had three double degree agreements under the SUNY program in our university. With the New Media and Communication Department, this has increased to four, and more will follow. I wish success to all competitors participating in this event.”

In the opening program, Provida Sustainability Consultancy Founder Ekin Karagüngüz Uluışık and Sustainability Specialist Esra Kılıç also gave presentations to students on sustainability. Later in the day, projects were evaluated by the jury.

“Our Only Goal Is to Do Our Job Well”

At the final program of the three-day event, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Ali Soylu stated: “There is great effort and dedication in this competition, I congratulate you all. We are very happy that the ninth season of this event has become traditional. Throughout the term, Prof. Dr. Eylin Aktaş, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yasemin Bozkurt, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seher Argun, and Dr. Lecturer Hayrullah Yanık worked intensively with students on their projects. Our aim is to educate you and prepare you for life and working life. The better we prepare you in this sense, the happier we are. We are a faculty that tries to give more than what it takes. Our only goal is to do our job well. As our Rector also stated at the opening program, we will solve our faculty’s deficiencies together. I thank all administrative and academic staff and students who took part in this competition. In this event where we select the best among the good, I congratulate all students who ranked or did not rank.”

Participation certificates were presented to the students involved in the event by Dean Prof. Ali Soylu. After thanking the main sponsor Bonjardin Home Collection, the winning projects were announced and awards were presented by faculty members. The event concluded with a group photo session.