Associate Degree Students Can Now Lead TÜBİTAK Projects

Experts state that associate degree programs in the field of health services offer significant advantages to students, drawing attention to the work-based education model. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan, Director of SHMYO, announced the good news that Üsküdar Üniversitesi's associate degree programs have been included in the application for projects under TÜBİTAK's 2209-A scope, meaning associate degree students also have the advantage of applying for projects.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan, Director of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) and Institute of Science, evaluated the advantages of studying at the vocational school of health services.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan stated, "As Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO), with our vision embracing multidisciplinary approaches, our goal is to equip our students with the necessary skills to serve human health, which is the foundation of health sciences, during their education processes. The contribution of the practical training they receive, both in our laboratories and when they move into workplaces, after learning from theoretical courses at our university, will be very significant. Our students take their theoretical and practical courses in the curriculum at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Çarşı Campus."

Application and Practical Skills are Emphasized…

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan stated that students can carry out their practical field courses in university laboratories equipped with modern and evolving technological infrastructure, NPİSTANBUL Beyin Hastanesi, and many public and private health institutions to develop their application and practical skills.

"We Guide Not Only in Education but Also in Life…" 

Noting that technology has now advanced to higher dimensions in the world, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan said, "The most important step in bringing this rapidly developing science to future generations is to provide them with an education coupled with technological opportunities. Our young people, referred to as Generation Z, who are dynamic and preparing to enter university education, are growing up in a digital age. SHMYO, in collaboration with other faculties within our university, is a hub of modern technology, from artificial intelligence to next-generation medical approach techniques. Our students can benefit from all the opportunities of our university. If we want to raise happy and productive individuals for the future, we must always offer them opportunities and show them how to use these opportunities. Our SHMYO academic staff not only provides education but also constantly guides our students in every aspect to help them walk more confidently on their life paths."

Work-Based Education Model Offered

Referring to the advantages offered by Üsküdar Üniversitesi SHMYO to its students, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan said:

"It provides all students with professional skills in a short period of two years through theoretical, practical, and various internship trainings in line with the work-based education model. Since there are many graduates today, one of the most important points of attention in recruitment is the qualifications of the graduates. As SHMYO, our students can take English preparatory education, if they wish, in addition to all our departmental courses taught in Turkish. As the SHMYO family, we also offer many opportunities to our students regarding dual major education. Dual major is a practice that allows students who show outstanding success in an associate or undergraduate program to successfully complete the courses of a second program with content similar to their main program, enabling them to obtain 'one University - two diplomas'. Our students can increase their future employment opportunities by having two diplomas with another SHMYO program whose content is similar to the departments they are placed in, and they can enter their professional lives better equipped with education in two different programs."

Internship Opportunities Abroad Available

Noting that students are provided with internship opportunities abroad within the university's ERASMUS Coordination Office, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan said, "Scholarship opportunities are also provided to our Üsküdar Üniversitesi SHMYO graduates who wish to advance their academic careers and choose Üsküdar Üniversitesi's undergraduate programs as a result of the Vertical Transfer Exam (DGS). All our candidates with an associate degree who complete their undergraduate studies via DGS can progress to our master's and even doctoral classes with special scholarship opportunities, driven by their determination to work and desire for the future."

This Year, Associate Degree Programs Can Participate in TÜBİTAK Projects for the First Time

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan stated that Üsküdar Üniversitesi's associate degree programs have been included in the application for projects under TÜBİTAK's 2209-A scope, adding, "For years, many of our faculties and institutes have applied to various call programs of TÜBİTAK and achieved many successes. However, until now, only undergraduate students could apply to the 2209-A calls; now, students enrolled in associate degree programs will also be able to apply to this project call."

Special Project Preparation Training Will Be Provided

Noting that associate degree students have also achieved significant successes so far, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan said, "We have had associate degree graduates from SHMYO who have referenced literature in the trainings we provided to help them see more advanced academic opportunities, whose potential for publishing articles we discovered, and who have even become article owners. Their successes always make us proud and confirm that, as the Üsküdar Üniversitesi SHMYO family, we can tell them, 'We can equip them not only with professional skills in the field but also with academic skills on their life journey.' We are eagerly looking forward to starting the next academic year face-to-face, with the excitement of our desire to impart academic skills to our students with our strong academic staff by organizing Special Project Preparation Training within the scope of this project for our students who have project ideas and are looking for suitable conditions to realize them."

Participation in TÜBİTAK projects will provide significant advantages

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut Karahan said, "One of our biggest goals is to ensure that our graduate students, who are seeking employment opportunities in the healthcare sectors as graduates of SHMYO programs, can also find opportunities in different sectors working for health with a multidisciplinary understanding as leaders in TÜBİTAK projects. Every academic skill acquired means raising individuals who support our country's scientific and sectoral development with broader visions. For this reason, it is inevitable for our associate degree students to find completely different job opportunities with the power of this experience and knowledge by writing, conducting, concluding TÜBİTAK projects, and converting these results into articles. Finally, the university entrance exam never measures talent and skill, which is why we, as the Üsküdar Family, are here to discover those who are brilliant and waiting to be discovered but are not hopeful about their exam results, to let them experience and advance not only their vocational skills but also their academic skills."