Edirne’s tourism landscape has been enhanced with the addition of a new museum at Trakya University, known for its excellence in museology and boasting the highest number of museums among all higher education institutions council of our country.
The "Museum of Balkan Universities Association" and the "Balkan and Regional Agency of Council of Higher Education" have opened by Trakya University at the Karaağaç Campus.
The opening ceremony was attended by Governor Yunus Sezer, Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu, Rector of Bandırma University Prof. Dr. İsmail Boz, Rector of Shumen University Prof. Dr. Habil Nataliya Vitanova, Rector of Tuzla University Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić, Rector of Canadian Institute Of Technology (CIT) University Prof. Dr. İsmail Kocayusufoğlu, Rector of Tetova University Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, former Rector of Trakya University Prof. Dr. Yener Yörük, former Rector of Sofia University Prof. Dr. Ivan Ilchev, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman Nuri Hatipoğlu, Prof. Ahmet Hamdi Zafer, Prof. Dr. Metin Aydoğdu, along with deans, directors, and many academics from both home and abroad.
In his speech at the opening, Rector Prof. Dr. Tabakoğlu began by saying, "Today is a historic day for Trakya University." He mentioned that they inaugurated the Edirne Rose Harvest and the Sultan Bayezid II Complex Trakya University Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Garden, and that they would finally be inaugurating the "Museum of BUA" and the "Balkan and Regional Agency of CoHE." Rector Prof. Dr. Tabakoğlu, stating that Trakya University is the founder and permanent general secretary of the BUA, said, "Today, at our Karaağaç Campus, one of the most important destinations in Edirne, we are inaugurating a museum and the Balkan and Regional Agency of our CoHE in this historic building known as the Çifte Çınarlı Köşk, after the completion of restoration works. The Trakya University’s top priority is the Balkans. Trakya University is also the founder and permanent general secretary of the BUA." He said, "Founded in 2014, the BUA has reached 92 members today. We wanted to create a museum for this association, which unites the Balkans, integrates them, and paves the way for important collaborations."
On the other hand, Governor Yunus Sezer emphasized that Edirne is a province that caters not only to its region but also to the Balkans, making it a hub for Balkan-related activities. He stated, "During the visit of our CoHE President, we mentioned that there should be an office of the CoHE to develop higher-level relations with universities, especially in educational efforts aimed at the Balkans. It is quite significant that a unit of the CoHE is being inaugurated here today." He added, "The opening of the Museum of BUA is also worth noting. It is very meaningful that this museum is being inaugurated in Edirne. In this regard, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our esteemed Rector and all the participants."
Translated by: Osman Emre Gümüşay (Department of English Translation and Interpreting)
