The eighth Friday Seminar under the subject "Research in Application" was held at GAU and a presentation entitled “Ecology, Ecotourism and Cultural Preservation” was given by the founder of the Büyükkonuk Eco-Village project - İsmail Cemal.

İsmail Cemal explained the differences between eco-tourism and the agro-tourism during the seminar which was held under the context of Friday Seminars with regard to “Research in Application” and the GAU 2013/2014 Faculty of Architecture Design and Fine Arts - Year of nature and environment theme events. Cemal also provided information on the project that is being held in Büyükkonuk and mentioned their support on eco-tourism, ecology and cultural preservation. İsmail Cemal also remarked on today’s world’s most problematic conditions of environmental pollution and the damage caused to nature. He significantly underlined that development is possible without causing damage to the environment through building sensitivity and awareness to enable environmentally-safe architecture.

Cemal stated that he has been trained in Australia regarding construction on an environment-friendly and nature-friendly basis and that he is well prepared to share all his experience in this respect with the students of GAU Faculty of Architecture Design and Fine Arts. Cemal emphasized that he will be co-operating with GAU Faculty of Architecture Design and Fine Arts in respect of training architects to be sensitive on such issues.

Finally the GAU Head of Painting Department - Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Adil presented İsmail Cemal with a plaque of appreciation.