Lifelong Learning Festival organized in Ağrı

Governor of Ağrı, Mustafa Koç, and his wife Neslihan Gül Koç also attended the Lifelong Learning Festival, where Governor Koç stated, ‘Lifelong learning is an important process that supports individual’s personal development, social participation, and success in the workplace.’ The festival, held in the courtyard of the Public Education Center, was attended by Governor Mustafa Koç and his wife Neslihan Gül Koç, the Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Hüsamettin Erol, the Provincial Police Chief Yılmaz İpar, the AK Party Provincial Chairman Orhan Güngör, the Acting Provincial Director of National Education İshak Hasanoğlu, institution directors, branch directors, course participants, and many citizens. The festival started with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, followed by Governor Mustafa Koç’s speech, where he stated, ‘The concept of ‘Lifelong Learning,’ which is a learning journey that lasts from the beginning to the end of life, concerns all of us closely in today’s world.’ Koç mentioned that the changing world conditions and technological developments enable access to knowledge and education for everyone, everywhere, and at all times, regardless of time and place. Emphasizing that ‘Lifelong Learning,’ which is a very important lifelong education activity, supports individual’s personal development, social participation, and success in the workplace, Koç highlighted that this process continues not only in schools or specific educational institutions but also in every moment and place of life. Koç stated, ‘The curiosity for learning and the desire to acquire new knowledge help individuals improve themselves, gain new experiences, and participate in society more actively.’ Pointing out that many projects within the scope of lifelong learning have been implemented in Ağrı to meet the needs of the citizens and create awareness, Koç noted that many courses have been opened in widespread educational institutions such as the Public Education Center and Vocational Training Center, reaching even the most remote areas. Koç mentioned that through these courses appealing to people of all ages, education is provided in many different fields such as vocational training, literacy, theater, music, language learning, and culture, without necessarily providing a profession. Saying, ‘As members of a civilization built on the command to read, we attach great importance to the principle of lifelong learning,’ Koç stated that they will continue to support those who make the learning process a way of life. Believing that Lifelong Learning Week will increase awareness in society, Koç thanked those who contributed to these activities. Kasım İhsan Polat, the Director of the Public Education Center, stated in his speech, ‘Learning is a process that starts from the mother’s womb and continues until our last breath, and we call this ‘Lifelong Learning.’ Polat said that lifelong learning enables the training of national athletes through sports courses, revealing the talents of young people through music, painting, and theater courses, preserving culture through folk dance courses, enabling women to produce and turn their products into household income through handicrafts and clothing courses. Polat mentioned that they have helped hundreds of young people to have the opportunity to enter university and civil service through courses such as DYK, KPSS, and DGS, expressing the pride of placing students in medical, law, engineering, and many other departments last year. Polat noted that they provided courses to 20,643 citizens through 1511 courses in the years 2023-2024. Following the speeches, a Janissary band show, taekwondo show, folk dance show, and music performance were held. Governor Mustafa Koç and his entourage then cut the opening ribbon of the festival, visited the stands, and received information from the course participants.