International Students Meet Erzurum Mayor; Emphasis on Cultural Diplomacy

Details of the Students' Meeting with the Mayor of Erzurum In continuation of the cultural and social activities of Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality, a group of international students studying at the city's prestigious universities, including Atatürk University and Erzurum Technical University, met with Mehmet Sekmen [1]. This meeting, held in a friendly atmosphere, provided an opportunity for students to share their experiences of living in Erzurum and the challenges of their studies with the city management.

Mayor Sekmen emphasized the importance of foreign students' presence in Erzurum, noting that the city has become a hub for attracting international talent in Eastern Turkey due to its rich history and modern educational infrastructure [2]. He added that the municipality always strives to provide a safe and dynamic environment for young people coming to this city from different countries.

Erzurum; City of Science and Center of the Geography of Hearts In his speech, Mehmet Sekmen referred to Erzurum as the "Center of the Geography of Hearts" and said: "We consider youth the greatest asset for the future. You are here not only as students but as our dear guests in this city" [1]. Referring to recent international projects of the municipality, including the IMPACT HUB project being implemented with European partners, he emphasized the key role of youth in smart governance and the use of artificial intelligence [3].

The Mayor of Erzurum also told the students that they are "volunteer ambassadors" of Erzurum in their own countries. He asked the students to introduce the beauty, culture, and hospitality of the people of Erzurum to their compatriots after graduation to strengthen the bonds of friendship between nations [2].

Municipality's Commitment to Supporting Foreign Students At the end of this meeting, the students expressed their gratitude for the municipality's support in cultural, sports, and urban services. In recent years, Erzurum Municipality has played an important role in the social integration of foreign students by organizing city tours, international sports competitions, and cultural festivals [1].

Mehmet Sekmen emphasized that the doors of his office are always open to students and that the municipality will continue its support to improve the quality of student life in Erzurum. The meeting ended with commemorative photos and the presentation of cultural gifts to the students [2].