Hasibe Polat, who moved from Muğla to Samsun for her university education, is planning to establish a workshop focused on hemp-related textile production.

Master Instructor Polat: "I am working on expanding our workshop by offering courses to the local community. With the looms that will be installed in the workshop, we aim to create employment opportunities in the district."

At 41 years old, Hasibe Polat moved from Muğla to Ladik, Samsun, to pursue her university education while simultaneously planning to establish a hemp-based weaving workshop.

After passing the university entrance exam last year, Polat enrolled in her first-choice program—the Hemp Weaving Loom Operations Department at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Ladik Vocational School (MYO). She then relocated to Ladik to pursue her studies.

Planning to continue living in Ladik even after completing her education, Polat shared with the Anadolu Agency (AA) that weaving is a family tradition.

"Both my grandmother and great-grandmother worked with carpets, kilims, yarns, and wool. I attended various weaving courses, trained myself, and became a master instructor. Then I asked myself, ‘What more can I add to my skills?’ I decided to come here when OMU Ladik MYO opened the Hemp Weaving Loom Operations Department."

"We Will Weave Carpets, Kilims, and Bands"

Polat noted that OMU instructors encouraged her to establish a weaving workshop in the district:

"I am working to expand our workshop by providing courses to the local community. With the looms we will receive, we aim to create employment opportunities in Ladik. We are already offering free classes to volunteers.

We have partially set up our workshop and will continue developing it. We plan to produce carpets, kilims, and band weavings. With the looms that will be installed, we aim to carry out diverse weaving projects."

"Hemp Can Be Used for Much More Than Just Fabric"

Expressing her special interest in hemp, Polat emphasized why she specifically chose the hemp weaving department:

"Hemp can be used for much more than just fabric—it is an extremely versatile material."

Programs Reflecting the Local Culture

OMU Ladik Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. Ünal Kılıç provided insights into the school’s role in regional development:

"Ladik Vocational School, which was built through the dedicated efforts of the Ladik community, was officially established in 2023, and student enrollment began the same year.

Besides providing vocational knowledge and theoretical foundations, our school also follows a skills-based education system with six programs under three departments. These include:

• Beekeeping
• Dairy and Beef Farming
• Poultry Farming
• Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
• Hemp Weaving
• Carpet and Kilim Weaving

All of these programs directly reflect Ladik’s culture and contribute to the region’s development. Moreover, our school enables students to start their own businesses and plan their future careers, aligning with the national vision for vocational education."

"We Take Great Pride in OMU and Our Region"

Director Prof. Dr. Kılıç highlighted the diverse student body, which includes individuals who have moved from Van, Muğla, and various other parts of Türkiye to Ladik for education and business opportunities:

"Some of our students have already started their own workshops and businesses, demonstrating the vision of our vocational school.

Seeing these success stories brings great pride to both Ondokuz Mayıs University and the Ladik region."