Our Specialization Process
The year-by-year development of hazelnut specialization from 2021 to the present. Each heading links to the related news item or announcement.
In 2021 Giresun University was recognised as the university specializing in hazelnut. Over the five years since, the process has passed through the stages of establishing the institutional structure, launching research projects, expanding training for producers and obtaining the first concrete outputs. The highlights of each year are set out below.
This page brings together the milestones of the process. All announcements and news from the Coordination Office, project application processes and current work are available at findik.giresun.edu.tr.
2021
The year specialization was recognised. The decision of the Higher Education Executive Board, inclusion in the programme and the discussion of the action plan in the Senate all took place within the same three months.
| 12 November | GovernanceSpecialization in hazelnut approvedOur University was included in the programme at a meeting led by the President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar. |
2022
The year the structure was built. The Coordination Office and its directive came into being and the boards were formed; stakeholder meetings and the first major workshop took place in this period.
| 20 January | Events and CooperationVisit to the Chamber of Commerce and IndustryThe Rectorate requested support for the specialization project from the Giresun Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The first of the stakeholder meetings. |
| 22 February | Events and CooperationR&D cooperation with the Hazelnut Research InstituteCooperation was agreed on R&D work to be carried out with the Giresun Hazelnut Research Institute. |
| 24 February | Events and Cooperation“Hazelnut, Our Country’s Strategic Product” panelThe importance and future of hazelnut were discussed at the panel held in cooperation with TÜBİTAK MAM; the IPA INNOFOOD project was introduced. |
| 7 March | Events and CooperationPost-Harvest Hazelnut seminarHeld in the Şehit Ömer Halisdemir Conference Hall in cooperation with SOMTAD. |
| 5 May | GovernanceCoordination Office Directive adoptedThe Hazelnut Specialization Coordination Office Directive entered into force by Senate decision No. 216-1; the bodies and working procedures of the Coordination Office were established. |
| 30 June | Events and CooperationHazelnut Workshop in GebzeTwenty-one umbrella project headings were determined at the workshop held at the TÜBİTAK MAM facilities, and a protocol was signed with Marmara Teknokent. |
| 6 December | GovernanceMeeting of specialization universitiesOur University took part in the meeting held under the auspices of the Council of Higher Education and hosted by Kastamonu University. |
2023
Moving into operation. The first research project, the first digital product, the first farmer training and preparations for the laboratory and the processing line all began this year.
| 20 February | GovernanceStrategic Solution Proposals working documentThe document “Strategic Solution Proposals for Türkiye’s Hazelnut Problems” was published. |
| 17 April | InfrastructureIndustry talks for the hazelnut processing lineTalks were held with the machinery industry for the hazelnut processing line to be used in R&D projects. |
| 4 May | InfrastructureSite surveys for the Tissue Culture LaboratoryFieldwork began for the laboratory intended for certified sapling production. |
| 5 June | ResearchTAGEM project cooperation meetingGiresun and Ordu universities, the Hazelnut Research Institute and a company from METU Teknokent came together. |
| 20 July | ResearchFirst research project: Early Harvest in HazelnutResearch began on the effect of early harvest on the physical and chemical properties of hazelnut. |
| 7 August | Intellectual PropertyDigital Hazelnut Expert application releasedThe mobile application developed by our University was published on the App Store and Google Play. |
| 8 November | GovernanceThird Coordination Board meetingThe board determined the priority areas and the process calendar for projects to be submitted in 2024–2025. |
| 29 December | Training and OutreachFirst farmer trainingPruning and fertilisation training was given in the village of Orhaniye. The start of the farmer training series. |
2024
Institutional identity takes hold. The priority areas were broadened, training extended to high schools, a technology-focused workshop was held and the processing facility neared completion.
| 5 January | Events and CooperationHazelnut Economy ConferenceThe economic dimension of hazelnut was discussed at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences. |
| 10 March | Governance“Mechanised Hazelnut Farming” added to the priority areasAt the fifth Coordination Board meeting, the priority areas and the process calendar were updated unanimously by decision No. 2024/02. |
| 6 May | Training and OutreachHazelnut Training in High Schools beginsThe first session was held at Hamdi Bozbağ Anatolian High School, covering the history and production of hazelnut. |
| 13 June | GovernanceDirective renewed: a single directiveThe Directive on the Hazelnut Specialization Coordination Office and on the Preparation, Evaluation and Monitoring of Specialization Projects was adopted by Senate decision No. 255-1; project processes were brought into this directive and the 2022 directive was repealed. |
| 12 July | ResearchHazelnut crop forecast studyThe 2024 crop forecast was made by visiting every district and village of Giresun. |
| 25 October | Training and OutreachCertificate Programme in Modern Hazelnut CultivationA five-day certified basic training programme was held in cooperation with GUSEM. |
| 10 December | Events and CooperationWorkshop on Artificial Intelligence in Hazelnut FarmingThe technology roadmap was discussed at the two-day workshop attended by DOKA, FAO Türkiye and the National Hazelnut Council. |
| 25 December | InfrastructureMicro hazelnut processing facility nears completionInspections were carried out at the facility under construction on the Güre Campus. |
2025
The year of outputs. The first international funding, the first graduate of the master’s programme, the first utility model registration and an industry award all fell in the same year.
| 12 March | ResearchFirst international funding: the Georgian Rustaveli projectThe project on improving the sustainability of hazelnut production by reducing plant health risks received support. |
| 27 June | Training and OutreachHazelnut the subject of the first Science CaféHazelnut was our University’s subject at the event held simultaneously in 81 provinces under the coordination of the Council of Higher Education’s Science Communication Office. |
| 4 August | Publications and Graduate StudiesFirst graduate of the master’s programmeThe Master’s Programme in Hazelnut and Hazelnut Products produced its first graduate. |
| 12 August | Events and Cooperation“Adding Value to Hazelnut” awardOur Coordination Office received an award during World Hazelnut Week. |
| 6 October | Events and CooperationSpecialization Universities WorkshopExperiences were shared at the workshop hosted by Kastamonu University with the participation of 25 universities. |
| 16 October | Events and CooperationMeeting with the Embassy in RomeOpportunities for international cooperation in hazelnut were discussed. |
| 10 November | Intellectual PropertyUtility model registration: hazelnut roasting machineThe “Tunnel-Type Microwave Hazelnut Roasting Machine” utility model was registered. |
| 11 November | ResearchHazelnut Pastry Products ProjectProduct development work was carried out at the Tourism Faculty with pastry chefs and homemakers. |
| 18 December | Training and OutreachHazelnut Pruning Competition in TireboluHeld with the support of the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and industry bodies. |
2026
Expansion. A patent, the opening of the processing facility, student society activities and a development-agency-funded project all took place in this period.
| 27 January | Training and OutreachProject Writing Training completedA three-day training focused on university–industry cooperation was held with TÜBİTAK 2237-B support. |
| 11 February | Governance2026 priority areas determinedAt the seventh Coordination Board meeting the standardisation of project reports and forms was adopted and the priority areas for the year’s call were determined. |
| 11 March | Events and CooperationSustainable Agriculture and Entrepreneurship PanelHeld in cooperation with Bulancak Vocational School, Nestlé and Foodback. |
| 1 April | Intellectual PropertyPatented invention from hazelnut wasteAn antibacterial and biocompatible dye was obtained from hazelnut waste by green synthesis. |
| 30 April | Training and OutreachFirst hands-on training at the processing facilityThe hazelnut processing facility within GİFAM came into operation with training for students of the Dereli Vocational School Cookery programme. |
| 12 May | Events and CooperationTechnical visit by the GRU Hazelnut SocietyStudents examined production processes on site at a hazelnut business in Görele. |
| 15 May | ResearchDOKAP-funded orchard renewal projectA project on increasing yield and quality in ageing hazelnut orchards was approved. |
| 18 June | Publications and Graduate StudiesNew graduates from the master’s programmeThe Interdisciplinary Master’s Programme in Hazelnut and Hazelnut Products continued to produce graduates. |
| 18 August | Training and OutreachKÖYBİLİM project completedThe project carried out under the TÜBİTAK 4009 Village Schools Support Programme was concluded. |
| 25 September | GovernanceTenth Coordination Board meetingPlagiarism screening and evaluation of new project applications and expenditure items were addressed at the hybrid meeting held at the Central Research Laboratory. |