Graduation Excitement at the Mukhtars Academy

The six-month Bornova Mukhtars Academy, organized through the cooperation of Bornova Municipality, Bornova District Governor’s Office, Yaşar University, and the Mukhtars Association, concluded with a certificate ceremony. Within the scope of the program, mukhtars improved their communication, digitalization, and governance skills, while the project stood out as a model example for Türkiye. Speakers emphasized the importance of strong communication and disaster preparedness in local administrations.

The Bornova Mukhtars Academy, implemented in cooperation with Bornova Municipality, the Bornova District Governor’s Office, Yaşar University, and the Bornova Mukhtars Association, came to an end with a closing meeting and certificate ceremony held at Dramalılar Köşkü. During the meeting, a new inter-institutional cooperation agreement was also signed for the continuation of the project, which is considered a first in Türkiye and aimed to improve mukhtars’ communication, digitalization, and governance skills over a six-month period.

Governor Şahiner: “Even the Smallest Crisis Can Disrupt Life”

Bornova District Governor Muzaffer Şahiner emphasized the importance of the program, thanked the institutions involved, and highlighted the role of mukhtars in facilitating access to public services. Referring to the recent traffic accident in Bornova, Şahiner also stressed the need for stronger infrastructure and coordination in crisis and disaster preparedness.

Mayor Eşki: “Bornova Is on the Path to Becoming a Pioneer City”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki stated that the Mukhtars Academy is a model that can serve as an example for Türkiye and highlighted Bornova’s vision of becoming a “pioneer city.”

“We aim to build a city where knowledge knows no boundaries and education extends into every aspect of life. Our mukhtars are among the strongest actors in this process,” said Eşki, adding that projects implemented in Bornova have also attracted international attention.

University–Local Government–NGO Cooperation

Yaşar University Vice Rector Yiğit Kazançoğlu emphasized that universities carry not only educational and research missions but also a mission of serving society.

Stating that mukhtars are one of the fundamental building blocks of society, Kazançoğlu noted that neighborhood administrations play a critical role in spreading sustainable development goals to the grassroots level.

Full Marks from the Mukhtars

Bornova Mukhtars Association President Zeki Güler stated that the academy made significant contributions to the mukhtars, saying:

“Instead of us going to the university, the university came to us. These trainings added tremendous value to our work.”

“This Project Will Become a Model for Türkiye”

During the program, it was emphasized that the Bornova Mukhtars Academy is an original model supported by the Ministry of Interior and has the potential to expand rapidly throughout Türkiye. The project’s high participation rate and comprehensive content were highlighted as key indicators of its success.

A Comprehensive Six-Month Training Program

A total of 45 neighborhood mukhtars participated in the academy, receiving training in areas such as:

• Digital literacy and basic computer skills
• Social media management and digital communication
• Data security and online meeting techniques
• Public speaking and effective communication
• Time management and public relations
• Diction, rhetoric, and persuasion techniques

The program aimed to strengthen the mukhtars’ capacities both individually and institutionally.