News

The XV International Conference on Applied Economics and Finance (ICOAEF XV), hosted by Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, officially began this morning with an opening ceremony. Organized in cooperation with Anadolu University, Kocaeli University, and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the conference brought together research in economics, finance, sustainable development, and artificial intelligence on the same academic platform.

Rector Ceylan: “It Is Impossible to Draw a Strong Roadmap Without Economics”

Rector of KTMU Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan stated that the scientific symposiums and conferences organized at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University strengthen the culture of collective thinking and emphasized that shared wisdom lies at the core of academic development. Prof. Dr. Ceylan said, “Collective wisdom is one of our most valuable treasures in developing and advancing our vision.”

Expressing optimism about the future, Rector Ceylan stated that the unity of ancestry, shared beliefs, and deep-rooted cultural ties within the Turkic world create a strong foundation for building a common future. He emphasized the importance of further strengthening this shared heritage in the fields of science, education, and cooperation.

Pointing out that economics is one of the fundamental fields shaping the future of nations, Prof. Dr. Ceylan noted that a solid roadmap can only be developed through strong economic perspectives. He stated that the scientific papers presented at the conference would not only contribute to academic literature but also support the development of strategic approaches that could guide the future of countries.

Prof. Dr. Ceylan also emphasized that Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University is a distinguished higher education institution successfully representing Kyrgyzstan internationally, and noted that the achievements of students on national and international platforms are a great source of pride and motivation for the university.

Deputy Rector Ibraev: “Economy Is the Heart of a Country, and Just Governance Is the Foundation of Prosperity”

Deputy Rector of KTMU Prof. Dr. Almaz Ibraev, stated that the economy is one of the fundamental pillars of both the state and society, describing the economic structure as the heart of a country. Prof. Dr. Ibraev expressed confidence that students would make significant contributions to economic development not only in Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye, but also in various countries around the world.

Referring to the 11th-century statesman and thinker Yusuf Has Hacib, Ibraev highlighted that justice was the central principle in his understanding of governance. As emphasized in Yusuf Has Hacib’s work Kutadgu Bilig, he underlined that when justice prevails in state administration, both the state and its citizens can achieve peace and prosperity.

He also stressed that the economy is not merely about wealth or growth indicators, but is also a fundamental field directly affecting human life, welfare, and quality of life.

Vice-Rector Karymshakov: “Scientific Conferences Are an Important Opportunity for Young Researchers”

Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at KTMU Prof. Dr. Kamalbek Karymshakov stated that the conference’s fifteenth edition reflects its well-established history, continuity, and ability to host many successful events in line with the demands of the era. Prof. Dr. Karymshakov noted that today’s sustainable development challenges and the rapid advancement of technology have made economic and social processes increasingly complex. He stated that this situation necessitates timely and in-depth analysis of economic and social events using new methods. He emphasized that integrating this approach into educational processes creates new responsibilities and significant challenges for both academicians and students. Vice-Rector Karymshakov also expressed his belief that the conference would be highly beneficial, especially for young researchers and students.

Prof. Dr. Ayhan Orhan from Kocaeli University thanked the administration of Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University for hosting the conference and stated that such events, which strengthen scientific cooperation, enhance knowledge sharing among universities and contribute significantly to joint academic production.

Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development Will Be Among the Main Highlights

The first invited speaker of the conference will be Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Polat from the Informatics Institute of Hacettepe University. In his presentation titled “Artificial Intelligence-Based Forecasting Hierarchy: Decomposing Fundamental and Speculative Factors in WTI Crude Oil Volatility,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Polat will evaluate AI-supported economic forecasting models.

Within the scope of the program, Dr. Hüsnü Tekin, Director of Human Resources and Sustainable Development at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), will also deliver a speech titled “The Role of Regional Organizations in Promoting Sustainable Development: Lessons from the Economic Cooperation Organization.”

Fourteen Sessions and Three Workshops Will Be Held Within the Scope of the Conference

Within the framework of the two-day conference, a total of 14 academic sessions and 3 workshops were scheduled in both face-to-face and online formats. Topics discussed during the first day included banking, energy markets, macroeconomics, sustainability, migration, digital transformation, young researchers, financial markets, and just transition policies.

The online sessions will feature presentations in areas such as empirical economics, applied economics, environmental economics, financial economics, labor economics, the relationship between technology and economics, and artificial intelligence applications.

The Conference Is Taking Place on a Global Scale

The conference program includes researchers from Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan, the United States, Belgium, France, Italy, Ethiopia, Romania, Russia, Greece, Morocco, and the Central African Republic. More than 80 academicians and expert speakers are participating in the event.

KTMU’s Research-Oriented Internationalization Vision Came to the Fore

Bringing together current academic discussions in economics and finance on a global scale, the conference was regarded as one of the important platforms strengthening KTMU’s international scientific collaborations and increasing its academic visibility in Central Asia.