Associate Professor Dr. Salim Atay, Head of the Presidential Human Resources Office of Türkiye, represented Türkiye at the 14th Global HR Forum held in Seoul, where he also engaged in discussions with Ban Ki-Moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The 14th edition of the Global HR Forum, a prominent international platform for human resources, was convened in Seoul on November 6-7 under the theme [YÖ(1] "Better Future Together." The forum, organized by the Prime Minister’s Office of South Korea, saw participation from Ban Ki-Moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, as an honorary guest, alongside Associate Professor Dr. Salim Atay, representing Türkiye. Key topics discussed included the adaptation to digital transformation in human resources, the reevaluation of the education system, gender equality, talent development, and youth employment.
During the forum, Atay engaged in discussions aimed at fostering international cooperation on the future of human resources, where he presented the initiatives of the Human Resources Office and outlined Türkiye's strategic vision for human resources. In a meeting with Ban Ki-Moon, the former Secretary-General expressed his respect for President Erdoğan’s proactive approach to the Syria. Their discussions also touched upon Türkiye's progress in human resources and its impactful policies on the global stage.
University Engagement Subsequent to the forum, Atay, accompanied by Türkiye’s Ambassador to South Korea, Ersin Erçin, visited Sung-Chul Shin, President of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), a leading institution in South Korea renowned for its international achievements in innovation and nanotechnology. The visit facilitated an exchange of views on potential collaborative projects aimed at advancing human resource development between Türkiye and South Korea.
As noted in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, KAIST, particularly distinguished in the areas of computer science, engineering, and materials science, expressed its willingness to collaborate with Türkiye, as confirmed by President Sung-Chul Shin.
Finally, Atay and his delegation attended the award ceremony of the "Second National Turkish Speaking Contest in South Korea," organized in cooperation with the Yunus Emre Institute and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, where students learning Turkish at Korean universities competed.