Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology senior students participated in the ‘Land Ecology Training’ program held in Antalya Belek between April 23-26, 2025. The training was organized by Dr. Ali Fuat Canbolat, faculty member of the Department of Biology and also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ecological Research Association (EKAD), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Banu Şebnem Önder, faculty member of our university’s Department of Biology. Within the scope of the project, which was strengthened with the contributions of Prof. Dr. Hatice Mergen, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cahit Güran, 29 students were taken to Belek with the transportation support provided by our university.
This training program held in Belek provided students with the opportunity to reinforce their knowledge on ecology, biodiversity, nature conservation and field research, while also providing them with the opportunity to transfer their academic knowledge to the field. The program, which was enriched with the contributions of both faculty members and field experts, attracted great interest from the students.
Dr. Ali Fuat Canbolat, Assoc. In addition to Banu Şebnem Önder, Prof. Dr. Çağatay Tavşanoğlu, Assoc. Dr. Sırma Çapar Dinçer, Assoc. Dr. Burcu Şabanoğlu Şimşek, Assoc. Prof. Senem Özdemir Türkmen and Dr. Can Elverici from our university's Biology Department participated. Prof. Dr. Deniz İnnal and Prof. Dr. İskender Gülle from Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University and Prof. Dr. Onur Candan from Ordu University also contributed to the event, while Ersan Berberoğlu and Hasan Uysal from the 6th Regional Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks and Manavgat Forest Enterprise Manager Ali Yıldız also provided support.
The comprehensive field training program provided students with the opportunity to directly experience field applications of scientific research. Students who gained multifaceted competencies such as field observations, sampling techniques and project development skills gained knowledge and experience in nature conservation studies and ecosystem management. Students who had the opportunity to work closely with academics during this process created a valuable field application foundation for the next stages of their careers.
The training program ended with the evaluation meeting held at the EKAD camp and the certificate ceremony attended by Serik District Governor Dr. Cemal Şahin, BETUYAB Regional Manager Sinan Işık and EKAD Board Chairman Dr. Ali Fuat Canbolat.
