Destination Turkey
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<strong>Destination</strong> <strong>Turkey</strong><br />
Adnan Akay<br />
Bilkent University<br />
1
Rationale & Motivation<br />
Importance of S&T to the world<br />
Quality of life, prosperity<br />
Common language for a better<br />
understanding<br />
Brain Circulation<br />
Good for all parties<br />
Time scale, speed, career<br />
milestones – different for each<br />
individual.<br />
2
Common Concerns and<br />
Questions<br />
Can I adapt to the environment?<br />
Will I be valued?<br />
What is the infrastructure like?<br />
What are the resources? Support?<br />
Can I make a difference?<br />
……<br />
3
What Changed?<br />
Bilkent was very impressive – Faculty and<br />
Administration forward looking, a place<br />
where one can make important<br />
contributions.<br />
TUBITAK and S&T activities in <strong>Turkey</strong><br />
A general feeling of being valued –<br />
involvement with TUBITAK and other<br />
similar activities.<br />
What does all this mean for you?<br />
4
Factors to Consider in a<br />
New <strong>Destination</strong><br />
The immediate environment in which you work<br />
The broader environment that values S&T and<br />
that values individuals such as you,<br />
Resources, investments, TUBITAK, EU Programs<br />
SPO and other agencies<br />
Ability to remain in touch with the international<br />
community, particularly USA and Europe but also<br />
with Far-Eastern countries…<br />
Ability to try and make a difference in regional<br />
countries and Africa…and the world<br />
5
Factors to Consider<br />
State of S&T in <strong>Turkey</strong><br />
S&T Emphasized and Valued<br />
Resources, attention, changes to<br />
remove barriers<br />
Resources<br />
TUBITAK, EU, SPO, MoD, Others<br />
NSF, EU & International Cooperation<br />
6
Factors to Consider<br />
Structural Changes<br />
Technology leadership<br />
– At all levels<br />
Foundation universities<br />
New policies to promote<br />
circulation and reduce<br />
barriers<br />
7
A Personal Decision<br />
Most Important Questions<br />
Can I realize my professional potential?<br />
Can I balance and integrate<br />
professional goals with personal and<br />
family milestones?<br />
Yes, you can!<br />
8
An Example of Change<br />
9
Bilkent University<br />
10
Bilkent<br />
“Bilim Kenti - Science City”<br />
Prof. İhsan Doğramacı (1915-2010)<br />
‣ The Constitution of <strong>Turkey</strong> had to be<br />
modified to allow non-profit Foundation<br />
Universities<br />
‣ The first example of a non-profit<br />
Foundation University in <strong>Turkey</strong> and the<br />
Region.<br />
‣ Paved the way in starting other foundation<br />
universities like Koç, Başkent, Sabancı and<br />
now many others Universities.<br />
11
The Endowment<br />
Bilkent Foundation<br />
Ihsan Dogramaci donated the ownership<br />
of about 40 companies such as Tepe<br />
Construcion, Meteksan, TAV<br />
Established IB Diploma High Schools at<br />
Bilkent and ALSO in Erzurum, and in<br />
Northern Iraq<br />
12
Bilkent<br />
Emphasis on research.<br />
Scholarship system to attract top<br />
students to Bilkent<br />
Additional scholarships for successful<br />
students<br />
Bilkent developed an attractive residential<br />
area in Ankara,<br />
Shopping Center and Sports Club.<br />
13
Faculties (Colleges)<br />
Art, Design and Architecture<br />
Business Administration<br />
Economics, Administrative and Social<br />
Sciences<br />
Education<br />
Engineering<br />
Humanities and Letters<br />
Law<br />
Music and Performing Arts<br />
Science<br />
14
Academic Staff<br />
85% have PhD from North America:<br />
– Stanford, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Berkeley, Syracuse, Florida,<br />
Ohio State, Minnesota, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Yale, Princeton,<br />
Johns Hopkins, Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, NCSU...<br />
1/3 are international, from 42 countries<br />
Australia 4<br />
Canada 23<br />
France 9<br />
Germany 11<br />
Ireland 5<br />
Poland 6<br />
Russia 14<br />
U.K51<br />
U.S.A 62<br />
15
Quality<br />
Appointment and promotion system modeled like<br />
the tenure system of research universities of US<br />
Promotions are based on research performance<br />
Students evaluate instructors each semester with<br />
Course/Instructor evaluations<br />
“Distinguished Teaching Awards” given each year<br />
Performance measurement criteria are based on<br />
international, not national standards<br />
16
Research Centers<br />
Engineering<br />
Advanced Studies<br />
Nanotechnology<br />
Photonics<br />
17
Library<br />
Annual budget of $3M for new<br />
acquisitions.<br />
• Open until 23:30<br />
362 days a year<br />
• “Open shelf” system<br />
• Open to the general public<br />
18
Sports Facilities<br />
Two sports centers on Main and East<br />
campuses<br />
19
Cultural Activities<br />
800 seat capacity concert hall<br />
4200 seat capacity ODEON<br />
100 concerts given each year<br />
• BSO (Bilkent Symphony Orchestra)<br />
• 90 musicians from<br />
12 different countries<br />
20
Social Activities<br />
21
Bilkent is but one example of many<br />
changes in higher education and S&T in<br />
<strong>Turkey</strong>.<br />
Another very important leg of S&T are<br />
the businesses. You can find an<br />
impressive array of industries with<br />
strong R&D components where you can<br />
reach your potential.<br />
22
Make America better, Leave<br />
--- JFK<br />
Make the World better, circulate!<br />
Consider <strong>Turkey</strong> for R&D.<br />
23
www.bilkent.edu.tr<br />
Thank you.<br />
24
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