The Conference on “Shapers of the Future from the Academy to the Field”, organized by Istanbul Medeniyet University International Relations Student Club, brought together academics who are experts in the field of Political Sciences and important figures with field experience with students, creating a platform that brings together theoretical knowledge and practical application. The two-day event paved the way for the mutual sharing of academic and professional perspectives, while providing valuable contributions to the participants in different areas of social sciences.
Our Rector Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik, Üsküdar District Governor Adem Yazıcı, President of Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) Abdullah Eren, Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences Prof. Dr. Faruk Bal, Advisor to the Rector Dr. Abdullah Yalnız, academicians and students attended the program held in our Central Library on December 24-25, 2024.
The event, which aimed to bring together academic knowledge and field experience, provided significant contributions to the fields of study in social sciences. Expert speakers in their fields inspired students by sharing their knowledge and experiences.
The event, which attracted great interest, began with the opening speeches of the Faculty of Political Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Faruk Bal and our Rector Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik.
Stating in his speech that such events are extremely valuable in terms of bringing together academic knowledge and practical experience, Prof. Dr. Faruk Bal expressed his belief that the participants will gain important knowledge that will guide their future work by being equipped with both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Speaking at the opening of the program, our Rector Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik emphasized that accessing information has become much easier today, but making this information meaningful requires blending it with experience. Çelik stated that benefiting from experiences within the framework of the master-apprentice relationship is of vital importance for individuals to make the right decisions and avoid mistakes. He also drew attention to the fact that universities should not only produce information, but also provide environments that will give meaning to this information and turn it into practice. Stating that the event is an important platform serving this purpose, our Rector thanked all speakers and participants who contributed to the program and concluded his speech.
Following the opening speeches, Üsküdar District Governor Adem Yazıcı made a comprehensive presentation to students on the first day of the event about the profession of district governorship. Yazıcı stated that the district governor profession is not only an administrative duty, but also a responsibility that requires serving the society and producing solutions to problems. He stated that the profession requires basic skills such as leadership, crisis management and a people-oriented approach, and drew attention to the fact that only young people who develop themselves in these areas can be successful in public service.
Sharing examples from his own professional experiences, Yazıcı offered practical suggestions on the challenges faced in public administration and their solutions. Reminding students that they need to support their academic knowledge with social skills, Yazıcı answered questions from participants and guided our students in their career development.
On the second day of the conference, Abdullah Eren, President of Turks Abroad and Related Communities, made a presentation on the activities carried out by YTB in the national and international arena. Eren stated that YTB pioneered important works such as protecting the rights of Turkish citizens living abroad, strengthening ties with the diaspora and scholarship programs for international students. He also emphasized the contribution of YTB to Turkey's soft power policies with its activities in the social, cultural and economic fields.
Eren provided information about the projects and overseas education programs, especially for young people. Stating that such projects enable young people to improve themselves on a global scale, Eren said that students can take on a more active role in such studies. Answering questions from participants in detail, Eren made suggestions for more effective use of the opportunities offered by YTB.
The conference, in line with its aim of bringing together academic knowledge and field experience, offered valuable contributions to the participants from both theoretical and practical perspectives. The two-day conference created an inspiring environment for students and academics from both academic and professional perspectives.