Our University Organized an Erasmus+ Central Projects Information Day event in collaboration with the Turkish National Agency
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Our university has organized an Erasmus+ Central Projects Information Day event in collaboration with the Turkish National Agency. At the event, where the details of national and central projects were discussed, projects focused on green and digital transformation and innovative approaches in vocational education came to the fore.
Our university celebrated the Erasmus+ Central Projects Information Day, organized in collaboration with the Turkish National Agency, with an event held at the Küçükyalı Campus Conference Hall. The event was attended by senior officials from the Turkish National Agency, experts from the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), officials from Özyeğin University and the Footwear Industry Research Development and Education Foundation of Türkiye (TASEV), Dean of Istanbul Ticaret University Faculty of Engineering Prof. Dr. Mehmet Hakan Hocaoğlu, Coordinator of the Istanbul Ticaret University Technology Transfer Office (TTO) Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sezgin, academicians and students. The national and central management structures of Erasmus+ projects and the innovative projects of Vocational Excellence Centers were discussed at the event.
ERASMUS+ NATIONAL AND CENTRAL MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
The event started with the speech of Istanbul Ticaret University Engineering Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehmet Hakan Hocaoğlu. Prof. Dr. Hocaoğlu emphasized the importance of Erasmus exchange programs and stated that projects in this field should be further expanded. Subsequently, Head of Communications Department of the Turkish National Agency Dr. Rana Kasapoğlu Önder detailed the implementation processes of the Erasmus+ program in Türkiye, stating that the program is not only about student exchange, but also contributes to many areas such as professional development, entrepreneurship and start-up projects.
Dr. Önder stated that Erasmus+ projects are divided into two main groups in terms of management, and explained that the projects carried out through national agencies are called “country-centered projects”, and the projects managed by the European Commission are called “central projects”.
EMPHASIS ON GREEN AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Dr. Kasapoğlu Önder stated that the Erasmus+ program will focus more on digitalization and green transformation in the future and emphasized that many project calls are directed towards digital and environmentally friendly applications in line with the European Union’s goal of zeroing its carbon footprint by 2050.
Dr. Önder added that these transformations will play an important role in the career development of young people and stated that Erasmus+ projects will contribute to sustainable development.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITH CENTERS FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Turkish National Agency Assistant Specialist Ms. Damla Aydaşo, in her presentation on Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVE), stated that these centers encourage digitalization, innovation and green transformation in vocational education and training. Stating that CoVE projects are carried out in cooperation with the business world, academia and industry, Ms. Aydaşo emphasized that these projects will provide young people with digital skills and make vocational training more attractive. Ms. Aydaşo added that the projects will also contribute to regional development in line with strategic documents such as the European Skills Agenda and the European Green Deal.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR DIGITAL EDUCATION BY TOBB
Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) Policies Expert Ms. Aslı Parmak, in her speech on the European Learning Experience Platform (EULEP) and Vocational Education Centers of Excellence projects, talked about the innovative training modules they have developed on artificial intelligence, virtual reality and social innovation. Stating that the aim of the project carried out by TOBB under the leadership of the Union of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambers) is to close the gaps in vocational training in terms of digitalization and skills, Ms. Parmak stated that pilot schemes have been initiated and special trainings will be organized for companies.
CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECTS BY THE TURKISH NATIONAL AGENCY
Turkish National Agency Assistant Specialist Ms. Arzu Çetin, in her presentation on Capacity Building Projects in Vocational Education and Training (CB-VET) and Capacity Building Projects in Higher Education (CB-HED), explained that these projects aim to strengthen the capacities of vocational training and higher education institutions. Referring to the importance of projects developed in areas such as digital transformation, green deal and social inclusion, Ms. Çetin emphasized that these projects, which aim to contribute to national development strategies, develop skills that meet the needs of the labor market.
INNOVATION AND SECTORAL TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS BY TASEV FOUNDATION
Footwear Industry Research Development and Education Foundation of Türkiye (TASEV) General Coordinator Mr. Atilla Başlar explained in his presentation that they have transformed the sector with technology and innovation-focused projects in traditional industries such as the shoe industry. Mr. Başlar stated that Erasmus+ projects have increased TASEV’s capacity in the industry and that they have achieved great success with international cooperation. Mr. Başlar mentioned the projects of using puffer fish skin in shoe production and using hemp tow to reduce plastic imports as examples of projects based on innovative ideas.
INNOVATIVE COLLABORATIONS AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS
In his presentation about the Alliances for Innovation (AFI) projects, Turkish National Agency Assistant Specialist Mr. Salih Kural stated that these projects aim to strengthen Europe’s intersectoral collaborations. Mr. Kural emphasized that AFI projects focus on developing entrepreneurial skills, promoting innovation and maintaining a competitive advantage in the labor market. Reminding that projects must involve 8 partners from at least 4 countries, Mr. Kural said that these collaborations increase the effectiveness of the projects.
INNOVATIVE STEPS FOR ACCESSIBILITY IN AVIATION
Dr. Leyla Adiloğlu Yalçınkaya, a member of the faculty at Özyeğin University, talked about the Inclusive Evasion project. Dr. Yalçınkaya stated that in the project carried out under the coordination of Finland’s Haaga Helia University, a training curriculum was developed that aims to increase the access of individuals who need special services in air transportation. Dr. Yalçınkaya stated that training would be provided free of charge to airline and airport personnel within the scope of this project. She emphasized that within the scope of the Inclusive Evasion project, applications that will facilitate the travel experience of 52 thousand disabled passengers will be implemented in pilot schemes.
The event ended with a group photo shoot of the participants.
