Professor Dr. Nurgün KOÇ was a speaker at an event organised by ATAM.
Prof. Dr. Nurgün KOÇ, faculty member of the Department of History at Karabük University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, participated as a speaker in the conference titled “The Role of Ankara in the Achievement of National Sovereignty”, organized by the Atatürk Research Center (ATAM). The program was held on 24 April 2026 at Seminar Hall 2 of the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language and History.
The event, attended by ATAM Vice President Arzu Güvenç Saygın and ATAM Scientific Board Member Prof. Dr. Hale Şıvgın, commenced with a moment of silence and the National Anthem. In his opening remarks, ATAM President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kılınç emphasized the historical significance of Ankara during the Turkish National Struggle.
In her lecture, Prof. Dr. Nurgün KOÇ addressed the historical development of the concept of national sovereignty and evaluated the political circumstances that emerged following the Armistice of Mudros and the Treaty of Sèvres. Analyzing the intellectual and organizational foundations of the Turkish National Struggle under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, KOÇ noted that the process began with the Havza and Amasya Circulars and gained institutional form through the Erzurum and Sivas Congresses.
Prof. Dr. KOÇ also highlighted the strategic and symbolic role assumed by Ankara during the National Struggle, evaluating the decisive contributions of the Ahi organization, the Ankara Association for the Defense of Rights, and local public support. She emphasized that with Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s arrival in Ankara and the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Ankara became the center of national sovereignty.
The program concluded with expressions of appreciation and the presentation of a commemorative gift to Prof. Dr. Nurgün KOÇ.
As the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Karabük University, we are pleased that our faculty members continue to represent our university in national academic events and congratulate Prof. Dr. Nurgün KOÇ on her successful presentation.
