Coordinated by the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, an orientation program for first-year students who began their studies in the Department of International Relations in the 2026-2027 academic year was held on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at the Mevlâna Celâleddin-i Rûmi Conference Hall.

The program was attended by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Selim Kurt; Vice Dean Assist. Prof. Eda Tutak; Head of the Department of International Relations Prof. Dr. Yalçın Sarıkaya; faculty members of the Department; and first-year students.

The program began with an opening speech by Head of Department Prof. Dr. Yalçın Sarıkaya. Sarıkaya provided students with general information about the University and the Department, addressing the academic structure of the Department, the education process, students’ adaptation to departmental life, and opportunities available within the University. He was followed by Dean Prof. Dr. Selim Kurt, who welcomed the students both as Dean of the Faculty and as a faculty member of the Department of International Relations. Kurt emphasized the importance of adapting to university life and encouraged students to make effective use of the academic and social opportunities offered by the Faculty.

The program continued with presentations by Vice Heads of Department Assist. Prof. Ayten Mehmed Aksaç and Assist. Prof. Tolga Çıkrıkçı. Students were informed about the functioning of the Department, courses and curriculum structure, the academic advising system, student rights and responsibilities, academic and social opportunities available within the University and Faculty, and the use of campus and departmental facilities. Various recommendations were also shared on class participation, communication with academic advisors, making use of university resources, and adapting to academic processes within the Department.

As part of the orientation program, faculty members introduced themselves and their fields of study and offered advice on university life, academic development, study habits, personal development, and making the most of the educational opportunities offered by the Department.

Fourth-year students of the Department also contributed to the program. Drawing on their own experiences, they shared observations and recommendations with first-year students on courses, university life, student activities, and academic processes.

The program concluded with a question-and-answer session in which first-year students had the opportunity to ask questions about the Department, courses, academic advising processes, and university life, which were answered by members of the Department.

The orientation program aimed to support students in becoming familiar with the Department and the University, learning about available academic and social opportunities, and establishing direct communication with faculty members and senior students at the beginning of their university education.