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Our Head of the Board of Trustees Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver's Message Regarding the IKU

Dear Kültür Family,
We are in a period in which we reconsider all the information and experiences in our vocabulary. While every experience we have had in recent months has been a passenger on a fast-going train, it is like finding ourselves in the seat of the machinist in an instant, remaining in the open sea without a compass. Like a scenario written in dystopian fiction, pandemics ... One day a virus entered our lives and all our settings have changed. The point we have reached today is defined as the healing phase. There is only one fact that does not change in this process, which also includes the management of side effects: We are still on the same ship. Within the normalization calendar, we started our studies for the first time in weeks with a team of 24 people, composed of the Board of Trustees, the Rector's Office, the General Secretariat and administrative units.

We can also consider this experience, which we determined our working conditions with the principle of occupational safety and health, as a rehearsal of the post-pandemic period. With the process that we started on June 2, 2020, the KOVID Commission KOVKOM of our University has initiated; Documents prepared according to the new norm, consisting of IKU Normalization Process Working Principles, IKU Normalization Process Food and Beverage Services Working Principles, Personnel Rules, Return to Work Inspection Form, Visitor Form were shared with all of us. All practices and principles were created with the principle of protecting and improving health. It is our individual responsibility to ensure the healthy functioning of the process and I kindly request that the necessary sensitivity and attention be paid.

Dear Kültür Family,
In the period we are in; With the normalization calendar described, we consider all our scenarios in three main headings: a possible second wave, the scenario in which the epidemic is at a controllable level, or its complete ineffectiveness.

Within the framework of these main headings, we are working with our risk committee on all scenarios that are academically, administratively, economically and technologically. The basis of all the developed scenarios are four topics: health protection, effective use of technology, sustainability of services and economic durability. In case the courses continue remotely, reviewing the working days and hours, diluted campus application for the control of the population in the interior, online mentoring and consultancy, alternative scenarios for applied courses, strengthening summer education, which is our two agenda items in the near future, and planning the days of preference ... In addition, as a university, it is among our agenda items to plan research studies that are part of our mission and to ensure that the pandemic is affected by the side effects at the minimum level.

The titles in our focus may change. Developments can affect the agenda. We may have to set short-term targets due to the crisis. However, regardless of the conditions, as a Kültür family; Our main expectation in this process is loyalty to our aim, focusing on the main goals without compromising the humanitarian approach, the presence of all academic and administrative managers, and the maximum use of analytical skills, use of technology, and cross-team coordination.

Dear Kültür Family,
Chaos and conflict are inherent in the crisis. In such times, differences of opinion, operational difficulties, human errors, titles, roles, and the stress of the process in particular can lead to conflicts.

Here we need understanding not compromise, dialogue, not discussion, simplicity and authenticity, not confusion, coordination, not homing. We're all in the same boat during this extraordinary time. I believe that we can only leave these days behind with this level of consciousness.


When we returned to campus after months with a small step and a core staff, we experienced once again that everything was beautiful together and worth sharing. My wish is that these times remain behind as a memory in both our institutional and individual memory. May we meet together in health as soon as possible...


Greetings
Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver
Chairman of the board of Trustees of IKU