The Marmara University 2024-2025 Academic Year Opening Conference, presented by the Head of the Department of Fine Arts Education at the Atatürk Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Uslu, was held on October 4, 2024, Friday, in the Dr. İbrahim Üzümcü Conference Hall, with the presence of the President of the North Macedonia Assembly, Afrim Gashi. 

The program was attended by the academic and administrative staff of Marmara University and students from North Macedonia, and began with a moment of silence, the National Anthem of Turkey, and the National Anthem of North Macedonia. The opening speech was delivered by Marmara University Rector, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt. 

In his speech, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt stated, "We, as Marmara University, are tirelessly working for our country and our university, cultivating bright and valuable young individuals. We also contribute to the scientific endeavors of our nation and the world through our academic work. We receive recognition for these efforts through the achievements of both our students and our academics. I express my gratitude to every valuable individual who has contributed to our university's successes and helped us attain this significant institution over our one-and-a-half-century history.”

Rector Kurt emphasized, "In addition to our scientific achievements, the successes we have achieved in competitions and art, sports, and various fields continue to be a source of pride for us. I believe these successes will continue to grow in the upcoming academic year, and I congratulate our students who represent our university with their achievements and the faculty members who nurture and empower them." 

Kurt concluded his speech by saying “Today, I express my gratitude to the President of the North Macedonia Assembly, Mr. Afrim Gashi, for honoring the 2024-2025 Academic Year Opening Conference and providing a historical perspective on Turkey-North Macedonia relations. I wish for the 2024-2025 Academic Year to be beneficial and fruitful for our university, and I greet you all with love, respect, and affection.”

The President of the North Macedonia Assembly, Afrim Gashi, who honored the Marmara University 2024-2025 Academic Year Opening Conference, delivered a speech titled “Turkey-North Macedonia Relations in Terms of History and Politics, and Current Global Issues.” In his address, he provided a chronological overview of the intertwined Turkish-Macedonian culture and history, covering the period of the Ottoman Empire, the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, and extending to the present day.

Gashi remarked, "In a war described by Churchill as one where 'we fought not against the Turks but against God and lost,' Albanian students struggle to understand why they fought for Turkey, and Turkish students cannot explain it either. However, both Turkish and Albanian students continue to listen to the Çanakkale Folk Song today. This folk song triggers similar emotions in every young listener, not just through its melody and lyrics." 

The President of the North Macedonia Assembly, Afrim Gashi, said, “As a result of an evaluation from history to the present day, we built the Ottoman Empire and Turkey together. We also constructed the Turkish-Macedonian culture together. Today, we share a common direction,” expressing his sense of kinship with his brothers.

At the end of his speech, President Gashi expressed gratitude for the interest shown by the participants and the friendly hospitality of Marmara University, receiving a "Marmara University Commemorative Gift" from Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt as a memento of the conference. 

The conference concluded with a group photo including participants and North Macedonian students from Marmara University.