16.3.4 Neutral platform to discuss issues
Providing a neutral platform to discuss issues
Boğaziçi University's Quality Assurance Directive describes the processes for regulating the university's relations with its internal and external stakeholders. These processes encourage stakeholder participation in university decision-making, while ensuring that stakeholders with different perspectives have an equal voice.
Internal and external stakeholders come together to exchange ideas through meetings, workshops, research projects, internship programmes and collaboration platforms. Such platforms serve as safe spaces where stakeholders with different political views can develop mutual understanding, openly discuss problems and find common solutions. The University also conducts research that combines academic knowledge with practical applications for social benefit.
Boğaziçi University's Measurement and Evaluation Quality Commission collects and analyses stakeholder satisfaction, opinions and suggestions and incorporates this information into improvement processes. Based on the feedback obtained, the University aims to improve relations with stakeholders and find solutions to common problems.
Related Links:
- Boğaziçi University Quality Assurance Directive
- Quality Commission Activities
- 2024 Quality Assurance Report
- Boğaziçi University Stakeholder Engagement Policy
Competition in Labour Markets Discussed at Boğaziçi
The ‘Competition in Labour Markets Symposium,’ organised by Boğaziçi University in collaboration with the Competition Authority, was held at Albert Long Hall. The topic of competition in labour markets was discussed from an interdisciplinary perspective in three panels with the participation of experts from academia, the public sector and the private sector.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aslı Deniz Helvacıoğlu, Director of the Boğaziçi University Innovation Centre, emphasised in her opening remarks that the business world is being shaped by technology and innovative models, highlighting the importance of knowledge sharing. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Bilir, Deputy Chairman of the Competition Authority, stated that they will soon present their guidelines on competition in labour markets to the public.
The symposium brought together Competition Authority experts, academics, and sector representatives, who conducted comprehensive evaluations on the competitive conditions, current regulations, and challenges facing labour markets in Turkey and on the international stage. The discussions provided an important platform for exchanging ideas on the future of competition policies that balance the interests of workers and employers.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/isgucu-piyasalarina-yonelik-rekabet-politikas/2821
The Future of Impact Investing Discussed at Boğaziçi
On 24 May 2024, the Impact Investing Summit organised by the Impact Investing Advisory Council (EYDK) was held at Boğaziçi University. Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Deputy Head of the Presidential Investment Office Bekir Polat, and EYDK Board Chairman Şafak Müderrisgil, along with local and international experts, attended the event. President Erdoğan also sent a congratulatory message to the summit.
Minister Kacır emphasised the critical importance of the summit for Turkey's sustainable development policies and shared the country's goal of becoming a global production centre through green and digital transformation-focused investments. He also announced that a total budget of 750 million euros/dollars has been allocated to support digital transformation and green industry projects for SMEs in cooperation with the EBRD and the World Bank.
Polat stated that the traditional production approach in Anatolia reflects an investment culture that incorporates social and environmental impact. Müderrisgil noted that significant progress had been made in the EYDK's three-year efforts and that they would continue their work to further expand impact investing in Turkey.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/etki-yatiriminin-gelecegi-bogazicinde-konusul/2828
Activist Rector Ghassan Abu Sittah Visits Boğaziçi University
Glasgow University Rector and Palestinian-born doctor Ghassan Abu Sittah visited Boğaziçi University in his capacity as an activist who has worked as a volunteer doctor in conflict zones and defended the rights of the Palestinian people. During his meeting with Boğaziçi University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Naci İnci, Abu Sittah described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that over 400 volunteer doctors have lost their lives in an area where even basic healthcare services are unavailable.
During his visit, he toured an exhibition of protest posters against the attacks on Gaza and chatted with students. He expressed his support for the ongoing student protests against Gaza at universities around the world and emphasised the need for the international community to respond strongly to this genocide.
Abu Sittah had previously faced travel restrictions to Schengen countries France and Germany on the grounds of being a ‘sports hooligan,’ but these restrictions were lifted following his appeals. The activist rector continues his efforts to end human rights violations in Gaza.
Minister Al Attiyah Discusses the Middle East at Boğaziçi Lectures
Boğaziçi University hosted Dr. Khalid Bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Qatar, and Dr. Hulusi Akar, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and Boğaziçi Fellow in Global Studies, as part of its Boğaziçi Lectures programme, which welcomes influential figures from around the world. The event, held on 7 June 2024, featured a discussion titled ‘Global and Regional Challenges in the Middle East.’ The programme concluded with a question-and-answer session attended by journalists, academics and students.
Boğaziçi University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Naci İnci stated at the opening of the programme that Boğaziçi Lectures aim to promote in-depth discussion and develop new perspectives in academic, scientific and cultural fields. He emphasised that Dr. Al Attiyah's expertise on the complex dynamics in the Middle East and global security issues would greatly contribute to the participants' understanding of the region. He also highlighted the importance of Dr. Hulusi Akar's military and political experience and his academic background at Boğaziçi University.
Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Dr. Khalid Bin Mohamed Al Attiyah condemned the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza in his speech and said that Qatar and Turkey are working together diplomatically for a two-state solution. He stated that the cooperation between Turkey and Qatar is not just an ordinary partnership, but a strategic partnership. He expressed that they will continue to support Turkey in energy, trade and many other areas.
Dr. Hulusi Akar, Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly's National Defence Commission, recalled that he had completed his doctorate at Boğaziçi University and expressed his pleasure at hosting such an important figure at one of Turkey's leading universities. He said that he had worked closely with Al Attiyah during his time as minister and that their cooperation was still ongoing. He also emphasised the joint diplomatic initiatives of Turkey and Qatar for resolving crises in the Middle East.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/bakan-al-attiyah-bogazici-lecturesta-orta-dog/2837
“The Future of International Law to be Discussed at Boğaziçi University”
Boğaziçi University Faculty of Law will host an international conference titled “Rethinking International Law After Gaza” on 3-4 August 2024. The event will bring together over 100 international law experts from around the world.
The main topics of the conference are:
- Justice for Palestine and the Potential of the International Court of Justice
- Access, Rights, and Digital Spaces in International Humanitarian Law
- Social and Economic Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Featured speakers:
- Richard Falk: Former UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine; will deliver a speech titled ‘The Gaza Struggle: If It Cannot Be Implemented, Is International Law Important?’
- Michael Lynk: Will give a presentation on Israel's occupation policies.
- Hilal Elver and Balakrishnan Rajagopal: Will contribute as UN rapporteurs on the rights to food and housing.
Organised by Boğaziçi University Faculty of Law, the conference aims to create a multifaceted platform for discussion on the legitimacy, effectiveness and future of the international legal system, particularly in light of the events in Gaza.
- It will address the limits, functionality and need for reform of international law,
- discuss how international human rights mechanisms have fallen short in today's crises,
- and propose new solutions and models of implementation.
The event will be an important platform for rethinking the future of international law and drawing attention to the need for reform. For more information, please click here.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/uluslararasi-hukukun-gelecegi-bogazici-univer/2853
The 4th Istanbul Education Conference Discussed the Turkey Century Education Model
The 4th Istanbul Education Conference, organised by the ILKE Foundation EPAM, was held at Boğaziçi University on 1 October 2024. The conference comprehensively discussed the Turkey Century Education Model developed by the Ministry of National Education (MEB). Participants included educators, academics, international experts and policymakers.
Main Themes:
- Holistic Development Approach: MEB Deputy Minister Ömer Faruk Yelkenci stated that the model was designed with a holistic understanding that encompasses physical, cognitive, moral and emotional development. He noted that the monitoring and follow-up mechanisms within the MEB continuously monitor the process.
- Simple and Non-Polarising Style: Prof. Dr. İrfan Erdoğan, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Boğaziçi University, said that the model was prepared in a simple, understandable and non-polarising language, avoiding exclusionary or accusatory statements towards teachers.
- 21st Century Skills: Prof. Dr. Cihad Demirli, President of the Board of Education, stated that the curriculum has a structure that integrates 21st century skills and values.
Opinions of International Participants:
- Andreas Schleicher (OECD): Emphasised the importance of the applicability of knowledge beyond its acquisition. Stated that despite their academic success, students in Turkey experience difficulties in terms of happiness and identity.
- Bassem Nasir (UNICEF): He emphasised that life skills should be at the centre of education and that these skills are critical in preparing children for future crises.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öztürk: He discussed the impact of 21st century skills on measurement and evaluation processes. He stated that the new curriculum, which includes these skills, could improve performance in international exams such as PISA.
The conference highlighted that the Turkey Century Education Model aims for a contemporary and inclusive transformation in education, particularly by adopting an approach based on 21st-century skills.
Symposium on News Copyright and Artificial Intelligence in the Media Organised in Collaboration with Boğaziçi University
The ‘2nd Symposium on News Copyright and Artificial Intelligence in the Media’ was held on 2-3 December 2024 at the South Campus in collaboration with Boğaziçi University and Anadolu Agency (AA) and with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Digital platform business models and copyright law were discussed by experts from Turkey and around the world, including academics, lawyers and media representatives.
Boğaziçi University Rector Prof. Dr. Naci İnci emphasised that artificial intelligence is one of the university's priority research areas and that they have opened Turkey's first Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Inci stated that artificial intelligence brings both opportunities and responsibilities to the media sector, and that long-term solutions must be sought for critical issues such as copyright, data security and disinformation.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nadir Alpaslan pointed out that digital media has fundamentally changed the traditional media order and emphasised the importance of legal regulations in the field of copyright.
Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun stated that media content is produced with labour and dedication, and that original news texts must be protected by copyright. Altun said that, especially in the digital age, the unauthorised circulation of news content must be prevented.
Serdar Karagöz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Anadolu Agency, drew attention to the changes brought about by digitalisation in the media and the new challenges posed by artificial intelligence in news production in terms of copyright.
The symposium also addressed legal loopholes in copyright payments by platforms such as Google, Meta, and Instagram. Prof. Dr. Henning Grosse Ruse-Khan from the University of Cambridge and Dr. Valentina Moscon from the Max Planck Institute provided comprehensive evaluations on international practices and the adaptation of copyright to technology.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/haberin-telifi-ve-medyada-yapay-zeka-sempozyu/2887
Boğaziçi Finance Summit Attracts Significant Interest
10–11 May 2025, Boğaziçi University South Campus
Hosted by Boğaziçi University for the first time, the Boğaziçi Finance Summit 2025 brought together experts from the worlds of economics, finance and technology under the theme of “Financial Transformation in an Age of Uncertainty”.
The summit provided a comprehensive platform for discussing current issues across a wide range of topics, from macroeconomics to sustainable development, fund management to entrepreneurship, with the participation of prominent figures from the public sector, private sector, and academia.
In the opening session, Fatih Karahan, Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu, Head of the Presidency's Investment and Finance Office, and Arda Ermut, General Manager of the Turkey Wealth Fund, shared important insights on the future of the country's economy.
Boğaziçi University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Naci İnci emphasised the university's mission to not only produce knowledge but also contribute to finding solutions. On the second day of the summit, industry leaders shared their views on critical areas such as industry, investment strategies, financial technologies, and twin transformation.
At the summit, Turkey's Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, highlighted the ‘Turkey Century’ vision and sustainability emphasis. Representatives from the finance and business sectors discussed financial resilience strategies during periods of uncertainty.
The Boğaziçi Finance Summit emerged as a strong platform for developing new perspectives and collaborations in the fields of economy and finance.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/bilim/4/bogazici-finans-zirvesine-buyuk-ilgi/2899
The 10th National Geosynthetics Conference was held at Boğaziçi University
On 29-30 May 2025, Boğaziçi University Grand Conference Hall (BTS) hosted the 10th National Geosynthetics Conference organised by the International Geosynthetics Society Turkey Branch (IGS-Turkey).
Academics, representatives of public institutions, private sector experts, and students from all over Turkey gathered at the conference. The conference discussed the research, development, and engineering applications of geosynthetic materials such as geotextiles, geogrids, geomembranes, and geocomposites.
Important topics such as transportation, environmental protection, dam and reservoir construction, soil improvement, and sustainability were addressed.
The event, which began with opening speeches by Prof. Dr. Ayşe Edinçliler and Prof. Dr. Hakkı Özhan, emphasised knowledge sharing and sectoral cooperation.
Four sessions were held during the conference. Topics included the use of geosynthetics in railways, interaction with microplastics, dam engineering, new software, and EPS geofoam systems. The sessions were moderated by experts in their fields: Ali Hakan Ören, Nejan Huvaj, İlknur Bozbey, and Gökhan Baykal.
Invited speakers on the panel discussed the role of geosynthetics in road construction, recycling and sustainability, geosynthetic applications in railway tracks, and material applications in storage facilities.
The conference concluded with closing remarks by IGS-Turkey Board of Directors members Prof. Dr. Ayşe Edinçliler, Prof. Dr. Hakkı Özhan, Dr. Tonguç Değer, Elif Callan, and Erkan Erpolat.
2024 Sustainability Report SDG-16 (Related Section)
Neutral and Secure Discussion Platforms for Different Political Stakeholders
Boğaziçi University provides neutral platforms that encourage equal participation of stakeholders from political and social perspectives in decision-making processes and support their open exchange of ideas. These platforms are designed to increase mutual understanding among stakeholders and develop common solutions to problems.
Secure Discussion Areas
- Equal Voice and Participation: The Quality Assurance Directive includes regulations that ensure that all stakeholders have equal say and participate in decision-making processes.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Stakeholders with different political and social views have the opportunity to develop mutual understanding and discuss challenges in these platforms.
Featured Applications
- Advisory Boards: As stated in the Boğaziçi University Quality Assurance Directive, advisory boards are established in all academic units, including labour market representatives and other stakeholders.
- Meetings and Workshops: Internal and external stakeholders come together and exchange ideas through regular meetings and workshops. These events support open discussion of issues by providing a neutral environment.
- - Research Projects: The academic background of the university contributes to the discussions to be evidence-based and solution-oriented. Scientific findings are combined with practical applications and transformed into social benefits.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Measurement and Evaluation Quality Commission collects the opinions and satisfaction of stakeholders, integrates them into quality processes and transfers them to the relevant units.
Impacts
- Developing Common Solutions: These platforms enable different stakeholder groups to come together to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to problems.
- Social Benefit and Social Responsibility: Feedback and suggestions received from stakeholders strengthen the university's understanding of social responsibility and increase social cohesion.
This configuration clearly reflects Boğaziçi University's goal of creating unbiased and safe discussion environments.
Click for Quality Assurance Directive:
News
Boğaziçi University's quality assurance activities were discussed at the workshop A ‘Quality Assurance Workshop’ was held at Boğaziçi University on 15-16 June to evaluate quality assurance activities and prepare for the external evaluation programmes of the Higher Education Quality Board (YÖKAK). Giving information about the quality studies that gained momentum at Boğaziçi University in 2023, Rector Prof. Dr. İnci said, ‘Ensuring the participation of all stakeholders in the process plays a very important role in the success of the internal evaluation and quality studies we carry out. With this approach, we are creating an established quality culture together with our stakeholders, and the outputs of this workshop are very important for the institutionalisation of our quality assurance studies and to create an action plan.’
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