GRADUATE EDUCATION FOR TEACHERS AT IZMIR UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS

12 OCTOBER 2018

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) is getting ready to carry the “increasing graduate education rates in order to enhance the occupational licensing and competency of teachers” goal into effect, which is in the 100-Day Action Plan of Ministry of National Education announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

A protocol has been signed between Mahmut Özgener, Chairman of Izmir Chamber of Commerce, and President of Board of Trustees of Izmir University of Economics, and Ömer Yahşi, Provincial Director of National Education for Izmir. The protocol allows teachers in Izmir, who affiliated to the Provincial Directorate of National Education, to receive graduate education. Teachers of public/private schools within the city borders and employees of the Provincial Directorate of National Education in Izmir qualify for a 50% discount in Master’s programs without thesis.

Alongside President Özgener and Yahşi, IUE General Coordinator Prof. Dr. Murat Borovalı, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Can Muğan, Selami Özpoyraz, President of Izmir Chamber of Commerce Council, Cemal Elmasoğlu, Vice Chairman of Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO), Members of IUE Board of Trustees, academicians, and teachers attended the protocol ceremony at 15 Temmuz Şehitleri Conference Hall at the Provincial Directorate of National Education.

In his speech, President Mahmut Özgener stated that they strongly believe that education, meeting all the requirements of the era, was the utmost important condition for Turkey to develop. Özgener said, “This protocol we signed today with the Ministry of National Education is very important for us in terms of renewing teachers, just like the system itself and students, for they are the ones who are shaping the future of our country, and keeping them up to date about the most recent developments in their field. This protocol will support the “increasing graduate education rates in order to enhance the occupational licensing and competency of teachers” goal in the 100-Day Action Plan of Ministry of National Education prepared by the Presidency. Thanks to this protocol, teachers, whom we entrust our children with, will find an opportunity to self-develop and self-improve.”

‘We Welcome Those Who Want to Make a Difference in Their Lives’

President Özgener, who said that they welcome all teachers who want to make a difference in their careers at IUE master’s programs, stated the following:

“Generations are not changing every 5 to 10 years anymore. We are talking about youth, whose wants, needs, goals, and even job descriptions are different. We can keep up with this dazzling speed only by monitoring the global developments up close and by seeing education as an indispensable principle. One of our major goals is to train world citizen youth, and contribute to the economic welfare of the country by turning educated people into qualified workforce. The University offers education with 43 master’s programs and 9 doctoral programs. 558 students are being educated in these programs. Graduate education, in addition to an academic career purpose, turned into a structure where the youth is able to self-develop in a different field. These programs also help rediscover talents, skills, and develop very creative projects, which are result of blending of two or more disciplines.”

President Özgener stated that he and his partner were getting a school built in Menderes area in the name of their fathers, and they did not want this to be public. President Özgener said, “I got emotional when Director Ömer Yahşi mentioned it. Charity work should not be publicized. Our purpose was to get a chance to contribute to the education of the country. We enjoyed it a great deal. We wanted to honor the memory of our fathers. I have another dream. I also want a school built in the name of my late mother. This is one of the greatest dreams I have”.

Presieent Özgener, who indicated that education was the basis of most important issues of the country, said that they played a major role in the development of the country. President Özgener said, “We started out with a vision of change. That vision started when we took the chair. Now, it is time to show this change. The zoning problem in Güzelbahçe regarding the lot owned by the University has been resolved. Now, for starters, all together we are going to build the educational institution, and then carry out the project that will allow the University to expand”.