Marking six decades of academic excellence and scientific contribution, the Department of Geological Engineering at Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) celebrated its milestone with the “60th Anniversary Symposium of Geological Engineering.” Held under the theme “Eastern Black Sea Region’s Mineral Potential and Combating Natural Disasters,” the symposium brought together academics, researchers, and industry professionals at the Prof. Dr. Osman Turan Culture and Congress Center.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mayor of Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality Ahmet Metin GENÇ, Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Bünyamin ER, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Dr. Temel VAROL, Department Chair Prof. Dr. Faruk AYDIN, Symposium Chair Prof. Dr. Fatma GÜLTEKİN, Trabzon Chamber of Geological Engineers President Semi HAMZAÇEBİ, and MTA Eastern Black Sea Regional Director Murat ÜNAL, along with many academicians, researchers, and sector representatives.

Following the national anthem, Mayor Ahmet Metin GENÇ congratulated the department on its 60th anniversary, saying: “It is invaluable to benefit from science and transform knowledge into practice. In our ancient city, we are proud to have an equally historic university whose data and research continue to guide us.” Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Bünyamin ER emphasized the department’s pioneering role across Türkiye, noting that the integration of theory and practice plays a vital role in shaping future engineers.

A 60-Year Academic Journey

After the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Sadettin KORKMAZ from the Department of Geological Engineering delivered a presentation titled “The Story of Türkiye’s First Geological Engineering Department: KTU Geological Engineering (1965–2025),” recounting the department’s six-decade-long scientific journey.

Dr. Kerim Tamer ALGÜN, President of the Turkish Association of Economic Geologists, followed with a keynote speech on “The Present and Future of Mining Geology Studies,” highlighting the importance of sustainable resource management and interdisciplinary collaboration in the mining sector. At the end of the opening program, plaques of appreciation were presented to representatives of supporting institutions.

Symposium Sessions and Panels

Spanning three days, the symposium features 40 scientific presentations by experts from various Turkish universities and institutions in fields, such as ore deposits, mineralogy-petrology, applied geology, fossil fuels, and cultural geology. Each session is dedicated to the memory of distinguished Turkish geologists, emphasizing the continuity of scientific legacy.

On the second day, a panel titled “Disaster Risks in the Eastern Black Sea Region” will be held in memory of Prof. Dr. Fikret TARHAN. The session will include contributions from Prof. Dr. Aykut AKGÜN (AFAD Presidency), Mustafa HÜSEYİNPAŞAOĞLU (AFAD Trabzon Provincial Directorate), and Prof. Dr. Arzu FIRAT ERSOY (KTU Landslide Research Center), who will discuss regional natural disaster risks, preventive strategies, and current research findings. The panel will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Fatma GÜLTEKİN.

Field Trip Experience

The symposium will conclude with a technical field trip to the İspir-Ulutaş Porphyry-Skarn Deposit, offering young geologists a valuable opportunity to connect theory with field experience.

For the full symposium program and detailed information, please visit: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/jeoloji/etkinlik/dogu-karadeniz-bolgesi-maden-potansiyeli-ve-doga-kaynakli-afetlerle-mucadele

 

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