Selçuk University Rector Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy stated that the university has the first and only "Shoe Design and Production" undergraduate program in Türkiye and said, "The fact that the formation education is taking place is very valuable for the students who will prefer the Department of Shoe Design and Production. If they wish, they can also have the identity of a teacher by taking formation education."

The press conference on "Formation Education and Its Effects on the Footwear Sector" was hosted by Selçuk University.

Selçuk University Rector Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy said at the press conference held in the Senate Hall that 48 students continue their education in the Department of Footwear Design and Production and that the department will give its first graduates this year. Stating that Selçuk University has the first and only "Shoe Design and Production" undergraduate program in Türkiye, Rector Prof. Dr. Aksoy said, "Students who graduate from our department will be able to continue their professional lives as teachers after receiving the necessary pedagogical formation training. Our Faculty of Architecture and Design is one of our 24 faculties. As Selçuk University, we support education and training processes that add dynamism to the city and overlap with the values of the city. We endeavor to raise the youth of the society in this direction. We attach importance to university-industry cooperation. We are happy to see that this has an output. Selçuk University is the apple of the city's eye and an educational institution that transforms and contributes to the city. The realization of the formation training is very valuable for the students who will prefer the Department of Shoe Design and Production. If they wish, they can also have the identity of a teacher by taking formation education. In this sense, I would like to thank those who contributed."

Mustafa Yılmaz, Konya Provincial Deputy Director of National Education, stated that the sector first started with the master-apprentice relationship and then this process continued with the trainings in vocational high schools. Explaining that they have come to this process with master trainers, Yılmaz said, "The fact that a department for shoemaking, which is one of the elements reflecting the Ahi culture, continues its activities in Konya, Selçuklu, Selçuk University, which is the center of Ahi culture, makes our Konya, our University and us happy."

Muhammet Acar, President of Konya Chamber of Shoemakers, noted that the students to be trained in the department will make important contributions to the development of the sector. Stating that Konya can become a brand city in the sector with the formation education, Acar stated that the development can also give positive results to employment and the country's economy.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Uzun, Head of the Department of Footwear Design and Production, thanked those who contributed to the process of opening the department and starting the formation education. Stating the importance of the decision for the development of the sector and the training of manpower that will contribute to the sector, Prof. Dr. Uzun said, "Currently, there are departments for the shoe sector in 14 different high schools in 8 provinces. Teachers appointed from sub-branches related to this department are working. There are no shoe design and production teachers. Turkey's first Department of Shoe Design and Production is at the Faculty of Architecture and Design at Selçuk University. Therefore, since it is the first and only school, a very good future awaits our students in terms of teacher assignment."