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OUR CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, DR. BAHAR AKINGÜÇ GÜNVER'S MESSAGE ON THE IKU AGENDA – XXXIX

Istanbul Kultur University (IKU) Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver has published a message regarding the changing IKU agenda with the New Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Dear Kültür Family,

First of all, I hope you and your immediate family are well.

We are in the choice days, which is one of the most critical periods for the promotion and communication activities of our university. University exam results brought with it many question marks and uncertainties. Candidates who will make a choice after a very difficult exam experience need support more than ever. In this context, although we closely monitor the process regarding the number of cases, if no official decision is taken, we will be together with candidates and families on our campuses until 13 August 2021, by paying maximum attention to health and safety measures.

Dear Kültür Family,

The 2021 promotion period has much more sensitive dynamics compared to previous years. Efficient and successful completion of this process is only possible with the synergy of academic and administrative units. It is the responsibility of all of us to listen and understand the needs of the candidates and to guide my youth in the right way.

This year, we carried out a research project on behalf of our University with the contributions of Quantum Research in order to increase the quality of our dialogue with our candidates. In the study titled “Candidates' Preference Motivation During the Pandemic Period”, the opinions of 1005 students with an average age of 18 were taken. I would like to share with you some of the research data that will guide us in our candidate and family communication.

According to the research results; 69 percent of the young people stated that they would like to include a foundation university in their preference. Parents and siblings are one of the most important factors in student preferences. When we look at the department ideals; Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture, Psychology, Technology, Teaching are at the forefront of the candidates' preferences. Young people are more interested in universities that are central, easily accessible, have strong social activities, academically qualified, and have international opportunities. Among the main sources of information on academic education are promotional trips to the university.

In the light of the data, it is reassuring and promising to know that we have strengths that can be a reason for a student's preference. After this point, the main issue is to explain ourselves well to the island and the families. It is also very important to see that young people embrace university education as an ideal despite the pandemic period and the benefits of the age, and to know that they trust foundation universities.

I sincerely believe that you will demonstrate the necessary effort, dialogue and outstanding work effort to be at the top of the preference list of families and students until August 13, 2021. I have full confidence in all our academic and administrative staff in this regard.

Dear Kültür Family,

I would like to share with you a beautiful and proud development on behalf of our university in July. Our Rector Hanife Öztürk Akkartal signed a cooperation agreement with Harald Becker, Director of Deutsche Management Akademie Niedersachsen (www.dman.de) headquartered in Celle, Germany. Efforts are underway to put this protocol into practice as of the 2021-2022 academic year, which provides internship and employment opportunities in Germany as a qualified workforce for our students and graduates. We think that this development is promising for our young students and graduates, who have many question marks on topics such as education, employment, international career, and economy with the pandemic; I ask you to share this new development with our candidates, alumni and students in the best way possible.

Dear Kültür Family,

We are in a period where we all learn different lessons for our lives and pass difficult tests. Our wish is to return to our university in September in good health. Increasing number of cases feeds the climate of uncertainty. After the introduction and registration period, our plan in September is to have our graduation ceremony and university opening face-to-face. Our students are very excited about their return to university. For this reason, I would like to ask you not to give up the event by paying attention to the rules of vaccination, mask, distance and hygiene. It is possible to leave the difficult days behind with a joint effort. We wish to be able to achieve the life order we miss, with health, as soon as possible.

Dear Kültür Family,

Finally, we are all sadly watching the forest fires that started last week. As the Kültür Family, which has internalized the "Kültür is Sensitive to Environment and Nature" approach in its constitution and life, it is against our philosophy to remain indifferent to this problem. I especially request all of our members who want to support, improve, develop and take responsibility to share their ideas and project proposals with the Corporate Communications Department, Alumni Association and Kültür Point.

Hoping to leave good marks for the future…

With friendship,

Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees