Standing out as the first and only preference program organized for prospective students in Türkiye, TercihFest ‘26 commenced on Saturday, August 1, at Ibn Haldun University’s Başakşehir Campus. Throughout the three-day event, which will conclude following the Summit Talks on Monday, August 3, prospective students preparing for the university selection process and coming from 54 different cities across our country will have the opportunity to experience university life firsthand and receive guidance to make informed choices.
This year's TercihFest program was realized under the theme of "the increasing importance of social sciences and humanities in a rapidly changing world". In today's world—where digital transformation accelerates, the global system is profoundly shaken by wars and crises causing the birth pangs of a new world order, and a deeper reflection is required on the future of humanity, society, and institutions—this journey was embarked upon with the firm belief that the individuals who will effectively analyze causes and contexts, generate value, interpretation, and policy, contribute meaningfully to humanity, and build the future can only be those who possess a qualified education in social sciences/humanities and read the world accurately.
Featuring a rich program filled with conferences, sample lectures, practical workshops, and social activities, the first day culminated in a dinner hosted in the campus garden.
At the dinner, the Vice Chairman of Ibn Haldun University's Board of Trustees, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, and our Rector, Prof. Atilla Arkan, addressed the guests.
Expressing that we need promising leaders, thinkers, and intellectuals in these turbulent times the world is experiencing, the Vice Chairman of our Board of Trustees, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, stated that Ibn Haldun University is ambitious and eager to raise these pioneering minds.
Erdoğan noted that students at Ibn Haldun University seek answers to questions concerning the destiny of humanity and leading its future toward a better place. He emphasized that in an era where digitalization rapidly and inevitably impacts a major part of life—most notably techno-feudalism—the new generation must be raised with a different notion. He expressed his hope that students educated at Ibn Haldun would return to our University as academics who cultivate tomorrow's intellectuals.
Erdoğan mentioned that despite bright minds being predominantly directed toward STEM fields, their goal is to help them become intellectuals who correctly read and interpret humanity and society as social scientists and humanists.
In his welcoming remarks, our Rector, Prof. Atilla Arkan, mentioned that the two key factors shaping the current global state are digitalization and the shifting of the global hegemon.
Expressing that this rapidly changing system also permeates higher education, Prof. Arkan emphasized that students must build their skills and competencies upon the education they receive to become effective individuals.
Among these skills and competencies, he listed intellectual abilities, algorithmic thinking brought by artificial intelligence, communication skills, ethics, digital skills, and foreign languages.
Our Rector also offered various recommendations to the students. In particular, he advised them to know themselves, follow how their chosen field interacts with the progression of the world and time, and view the university experience holistically.
On the first day, Head Coach Nuri Şahin and Prof. Enis Doko met with the youth during the conference sessions.
Prof. Enis Doko, Head of the Department of Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence at Ibn Haldun University, delivered a conference titled “How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact Professions?” The conference addressed the current and potential future impacts of artificial intelligence technology on various careers.
Prof. Enis Doko noted that there are differing perspectives in this field, categorizing them into alarmists and optimists. He stated that alarmists view AI as a major threat, believe we are on the verge of a massive crisis, and expect AI to eliminate all professions. On the other hand, optimists believe that AI will not change anything significant and may even increase job opportunities, drawing parallels to the invention of ATMs in recent history.
Prof. Doko's personal view is that AI will neither eliminate all professions nor leave them completely unchanged. Emphasizing that professionals in any field perform multiple tasks, Prof. Doko noted that while AI may handle certain responsibilities within a job, tasks requiring human involvement will remain indispensable. Highlighting in particular that AI cannot be held accountable for anything, Doko reminded the audience of the necessity of human presence.
Advising prospective university students to acquire competencies, particularly in foreign languages and analytical thinking, Doko expressed that regardless of their field of study, the skills gained at university will be their most valuable asset.
At the end of the session, a certificate for a donation of 1,000 saplings planted for 1,000 participants on behalf of the TercihFest speakers was presented to Prof. Enis Doko.
Delivering a conference on the first day of TercihFest ’26, Nuri Şahin shared his career and personal life experiences and insights with prospective university students. Stating that he has always viewed education as a part of his life and continuously strived for self-development, Şahin advised the candidates, "Whatever you do, do it with discipline and passion."
Şahin noted that those who wish to achieve their dreams must practice self-criticism, as this enables them to stand stronger against external pressure.
Mentioning that he learned from his family that the most important thing in life is to be a good person, Şahin emphasized that one encounters a wide variety of ideas, cultures, experiences, and challenges in both professional and personal life, making it essential to hold fast to our values at all times. Expressing that he never speaks negatively about his country regardless of the environment, Nuri Şahin urged the youth to love our country, speak positively about it, and preserve our identity.
In a warm and engaging atmosphere, Head Coach Nuri Şahin answered numerous questions from the prospective students. At the end of the session, a sapling donation certificate was presented to Şahin as well.
