International Balkan University hosted Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, President of the Board of Trustees of the Ilim Yayma Foundation, for the talk “Building the New World: Academic and Cultural Bridges for Balkan Youth.”

Meeting with our students, Erdoğan emphasized that support for Balkan youth and International Balkan University will continue to grow in the coming period. The program was moderated by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Lütfi Sunar, and organized with the support of Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB).

The talk underlined the importance of visionary, value-driven youth in shaping the future of the Balkans.

Campus Visit

Prior to the program, Mr. Erdoğan toured the IBU campus. The visit included the Health Sciences Simulation Center, Halkbank Library, Balkan Laboratories, Balkan Dental Polyclinic, and Balkan Sports Park. During the visit to Balkan Sports Park, Mr. Erdoğan demonstrated his archery skills.

Guests also visited the “Palestine Through the Language of the Brush” exhibition, prepared by YTB, which reflects humanitarian realities through the universal language of art.

Opening Remarks

The program commenced with welcoming speeches. Rector Prof. Dr. Lütfi Sunar addressed the audience on behalf of the host institution.

Subsequently, the President of the Board of International Balkan University, Doc. Dr. Bilal Sucubaşı; the President of YTB, Abdulhadi Turus; and the President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), Abdullah Eren, delivered their remarks.

A Vision for the Future of Balkan Youth

The talk focused on the intellectual development, cultural confidence, and academic capacity of Balkan youth within the framework of building a new global vision. Emphasis was placed on the idea that constructing a “new world” requires not only material development but also a comprehensive transformation shaped by knowledge, values, and cultural awareness.

Mr. Erdoğan underlined the decisive role of well-equipped, visionary youth in shaping the future. The program continued with an interactive Q&A session.

Closing and Presentation of Appreciation Gift

At the conclusion of the event, an appreciation gift was presented to Mr. Erdoğan on behalf of the University for his valuable contributions and kind participation. The presentation was made by Rector Prof. Dr. Lütfi Sunar together with the President of the Board of Trustees.

The event was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Skopje, H.E. Fatih Ulusoy; the President of the Türkiye–North Macedonia Friendship Group, Ahmet Kılıç; AK Party Deputy Presidents Zafer Sırakaya and Hasan Basri Yalçın; Members of the Parliament of North Macedonia Salih Murat and Beycan İlyas; Deputy Minister of Transport Kaltrina Zekoli; Halkbank General Manager Osman Arslan; Honorary President Recep Süleyman Özdil; along with board members, academics, students, and numerous distinguished guests.