Dear IAMCR Members and Conference Participants,
It is our great pleasure and privilege to host the IAMCR 2011 Conference: 
Cities, Creativity and Connectivity at Kadir Has University, Istanbul. On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to welcome you all to this highly reputed and prestigious forum in the field of media and communication research.
Kadir Has University was founded in 1997 and bears the name of the entrepreneur and philanthropist Mr. Kadir Has (1921 – 2007) who, along with Kadir Has University, established over 60 schools, hospitals, boarding houses and cultural and recreational centers throughout Turkey. A firm and committed believer in education, his most beloved project and crowning achievement was Kadir Has University.
Our main building at the heart of the historical city center used to be a tobacco factory from the 19th century, later used by Tekel (Turkish state monopoly on tobacco and alcohol), which was subsequently converted into the Kadir Has University by the Kadir Has Foundation. The renovated building was awarded with the Europa Nostra Restoration Award and is a unique piece of architecture that includes a 11th century Byzantine cistern as well as a 16th century Ottoman Hamam within its premises. These historical sites are utilized as permanent exhibition sites by Rezan Has Museum, which also hosts numerous art exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. Combining layers of history with modern art and architecture, our university provides a perfect location for this year’s IAMCR Conference; Cities, Connectivity and Creativity.
I would like to thank the President of IAMCR, Professor Annabelle Sreberny, as well as the IAMCR Executive Board and the International and Scientific Committees for hosting the conference for the first time in Istanbul, Turkey.
I am delighted to open the doors of our university to this prestigious event and pleased to welcome you all as our distinguished guests to Kadir Has University, Istanbul, Turkey. Our Faculty of Communication will be the on-site organizer of the conference with great pleasure.
I wish you all a great time in Istanbul, the city where communication and creativity have been connected together for more than 2500 years of its history.
Rector, Kadir Has University
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın
