On May 15, 2025, the Balıkesir Governor's Office and Balıkesir University (BAÜN) collaborated to organize a panel titled “The National Struggle Period and Balıkesir” at the BAÜN Atatürk Principles and Revolution History Research and Application Center and the BAÜN Ottoman Heritage Application and Research Center. The event, held at the Malazgirt Conference Hall of the BAÜN Çağış Campus Atatürk Congress and Culture Center, was attended by: BAÜN Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt, BAÜN Atatürk Principles and Revolution History Research and Application Center Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öğe, BAÜN Ottoman Heritage Application and Research Center Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serap Sunay, academics, and students. BAÜN Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt delivered the opening speech of the panel, which discussed the critical role Balıkesir played in the National Struggle throughout history. The panel, chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serkan Sarı from the Faculty of Science and Letters, featured Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azer Gürcan from the Faculty of Science and Letters, who presented "Roadmap from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic: Change and Transformation in the National Struggle,“ BAÜN Ottoman Heritage Application and Research Center Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serap Sunay presented ”The Greek Occupation and Atrocities in Balıkesir," and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öğe, Director of the BAÜN Atatürk Principles and Revolution History Research and Application Center, presented on “Events in Southern Marmara and the General Situation in Balıkesir After the Armistice of Mudros Agreement.” The panel concluded with BAÜN Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt presenting certificates of appreciation to the panelists.
