A panel titled “Electronic Waste Management and Universities” was held at the Prof. Dr. Hasan Gül Conference Hall of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences (FEAS).

The panel was attended by Dean of FEAS Prof. Dr. Ebül Muhsin Doğan, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Dr. Yıldıray Topçu, Director of OMU Environmental Issues Research and Application Center (ÇEVSAM) Prof. Dr. Gamze Turan, along with faculty members and students.

Prof. Dr. Ayşe Kuleyin: “Universities Should Take a Leading Role in E-Waste Management”

In her opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Ayşe Kuleyin emphasized that electronic waste has become an increasingly significant global environmental issue:

“Welcome to the panel on ‘Electronic Waste Management and Universities,’ where we gather to discuss a crucial issue for our future. All of us carry or use several electronic devices in our pockets, bags, or homes. While technology makes our lives easier, the fast cycle of consumption and replacement creates a serious problem: electronic waste.
Electronic waste is among the fastest-growing types of waste worldwide. These items contain valuable metals such as gold, silver, and palladium, but also hazardous materials like mercury and lead that are harmful to both the environment and human health. If we fail to manage this waste properly, we bury valuable resources in the ground and poison our ecosystem.
At this point, universities have a vital responsibility. Universities are not just institutions of knowledge production—they must also be centers of education and awareness, develop sustainable solutions through research and innovation, and serve as models for effective e-waste management on their campuses.”

Prof. Dr. Kuleyin also noted that the TÜBİTAK 1001 project titled “Improving E-Waste Policy in Universities: The Case of the TR83 Region”, led by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Mutlu, has been successfully completed. She added:

“With this panel, our aim is to bring together academic knowledge and practical solutions to best utilize the potential of both our university and our country in this area.”

Key Presentations and Speakers

The panel featured the following presentations:

• Metin Alkan, Deputy Director of the Samsun Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change: “Legal Regulations and Applications on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment”
• Özcan Çokluk, Environmental Engineer and Zero Waste Director at Atakum Municipality: “The Role of Local Governments in the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment”
• Prof. Dr. Ahmet Mutlu, OMU FEAS faculty member: “Electronic Waste and the Role of Universities”

Recognition and Closing

At the end of the event, Dean of FEAS Prof. Dr. Ebül Muhsin Doğan presented sapling certificates to the speakers as tokens of appreciation. The panel concluded with a group photo session.