At the 2025 Barrier-Free University Flags and Program Emblem Ceremony organized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Kastamonu University ranked 5th nationwide and 2nd in the Black Sea Region (after Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University) in the Program Badges category, receiving 9 badges.  

The 2025 Barrier-Free University Flags and Program  Emblem Ceremony, organized by YÖK to promote a barrier-free university environment, was held at the Council of Higher Education Presidency on December 25, 2025, with the participation of YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar. At the ceremony, the awards for universities that earned the Accessible University Flag and Program  Emblem were presented by YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar.

The ceremony was attended by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük, and the Coordinator of the Barrier-Free University, Asisst.Prof.Dr.  Kerim Güney, on behalf of Kastamonu University.  

Speaking at the ceremony, Higher Education Council President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated that the concept of a barrier-free university is not limited to physical access alone, and that accessibility in higher education requires a holistic approach encompassing education, space, and participation in social life.  

Prof. Dr. Özvar highlighted that the adoption of the Barrier-Free University Flag and Program Emblem is a crucial step that makes accessibility measurable and sustainable in institutions, noting that equitable access to education is one of the fundamental markers of developed societies.  

In evaluating a total of 1,768 applications received from 112 universities this year, 383 were deemed successful. As a result of the evaluations, 124 Universities with Accessibility Flags and 138 program emblems were identified as recipients. Our university ranked 5th nationwide with 9 awards in the Program  Emblem category and 2nd in the Black Sea Region, after Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University.

The Turkish Language Teaching, Social Studies Teaching, Radio and Television Technology, Classroom Teaching, Computer Programming, Guidance and Psychological Counselling, Sports Management, Child Development, and Painting programs at our university have been awarded the Accessible University  Emblem.

In the evaluation process, in addition to the physical spaces of universities, digital learning environments were also taken into consideration. Our university was among the leading institutions in this field due to its work on website accessibility and digital content that is friendly to people with disabilities. 

Commenting on the awards, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, stated that accessibility is one of the fundamental principles of our University, adding that they consider the concept of a barrier-free university not as a responsibility, but as an integral part of their educational philosophy.

Expressing that it is meaningful to them that the work carried out in many areas, from education to physical spaces, from digital platforms to support services, has been recognized in this way, our Rector thanked all our academic and administrative staff, as well as our students, for their efforts. 

Our Rector stated that, within the scope of accessibility on digital platforms, course materials are presented in both audio and visual formats, and support services for the needs of disabled students are ongoing. He emphasized that barrier-free university studies are important not only for students but also for academic and administrative staff. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal also expressed his gratitude to the President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, for his encouraging approaches to expanding accessibility in higher education.