An important organization that brings together young people with the business world was held in Antalya. Coordinated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and hosted by Akdeniz University, the Western Mediterranean Career and Employment Fair (BAKİF26) opened its doors with the theme "The Era of Youth Production (GÜÇ)".
Academic representatives from MAKÜ and over 300 students participated in the fair, which Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University was also a stakeholder. Representing MAKÜ, Rector Advisor Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Alpaslan, MAKÜ Career Development Application and Research Center Director Lecturer Gökhan Turan, Deputy Directors Dr. Lecturer Member Muhammed Masum Gülcemal, Lecturer Alp Yanık also attended the fair.
The opening program was attended by Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security Ahmet Aydın, Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor Fatih Kocaman, and Akdeniz University Rector Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan, as well as many protocol members, public institution representatives, and invitees.
Speaking at the opening, Governor Hulusi Şahin emphasized Turkey's young population potential and stated that the next 20 years present a critical "window of opportunity". Şahin stressed that young people need to participate more actively in production processes and stated that such organizations play an important role in career planning.
Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security Ahmet Aydın stated that increasing youth employment is among the priority targets, saying, "Youth employment is not only an economic but also a national issue." He pointed out that although there is a decrease in general unemployment rates in Turkey, youth unemployment is still an important problem that needs to be solved.
In evaluations after the fair, Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Alpaslan stated that direct contact of students with sector representatives is of great importance for their career development and expressed that the event was productive.
As part of the program, plaques were presented to individuals and institutions contributing to the fair, and the event officially started with the cutting of the opening ribbon. Throughout the fair, public institutions, private sector representatives, and companies from different fields set up stands to provide students with information about job and internship opportunities, career opportunities, and current developments in the sector.
BAKİF26 stood out as an important meeting point that contributes to young people getting to know the business world closely and guiding their career journeys.
