The Organization of Turkic States Simulation Program was held in collaboration with Üsküdar Üniversitesi and the Turkish Economic, Political and Strategic Research Center (TESAM). Within the scope of the two-day program, students had the opportunity to gain practical experience in international relations by representing different countries. Students took part in the International Policy Council, Defense and Security Council, and Education and Culture Council of the countries they represented in the simulation, analyzing data within the scenario framework and producing foreign policy outputs.
The first day of the simulation started at Üsküdar Üniversitesi South Campus Fuat Sezgin Conference Hall; the second day continued at the Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall.
Many expert names in their fields participated
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations (English) at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Arslan, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. İlyas Bozkurt, Founding President of TESAM, Yıldırım Deniz, Vice President of TESAM, Former Ambassador and Former Founding Secretary General of OTS Halil Akıncı, Dr. Ömer Kocaman, Deputy Secretary General of OTS, Prof. Dr. Muhittin Şimşek, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ahmet Yesevi University, Ali Çiviler, OTS Education and Project Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Yaşar Sarı, Faculty Member of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Ibn Haldun University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as students and academicians attended the program.
The purpose and objectives of the simulation program were shared
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Arslan and TESAM Vice President Yıldırım Deniz delivered the opening speeches.
In the speeches, the purpose and objectives of the simulation program were shared with the participants.
Foreign policy visions were presented, and outputs were produced
Delegations consisting of 48 students explained the national priorities, foreign policy visions, and strategic goals of the 16 countries they represented. The delegates then held presidential elections and determined the blocs of transitional countries. Participants, who served in three different councils: the International Policy Council, the Defense and Security Council, and the Education and Culture Council, engaged in decision-making processes through crisis scenarios, directives, and diplomatic interactions. Students produced foreign policy outputs while considering the interests of the countries they represented.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak: “We must read the world through technological transformations”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, delivered the closing speech of the program. Emphasizing that the simulation program was an important experience for both students and academicians, Kaynak stated; “This simulation program was a first for us too and went very well. We also spoke with our instructors, and from now on, we will include such activities more intensively in our lessons. Because it is no longer really possible to educate students by just having them sit in the classroom. It is necessary to create environments where students can internalize the lesson, express their creativity, and produce ideas. In today's conditions, education must move beyond the 'teacher lectured, student listened' format. Accessing information is now very easy, but making sense of it and using it correctly is important. At this point, it is necessary to use technology, especially artificial intelligence, correctly. In my master's and doctoral courses, I give my students their final assignments in advance, and the use of artificial intelligence is mandatory. Because we must read the world through technological transformations. Students who can use artificial intelligence effectively can look at topics from a much broader perspective. On the other hand, we are going through a period where geopolitical changes are accelerating. This simulation conducted through the Organization of Turkic States was very significant for young people to grasp these changes. I saw the energy and excitement in all of your eyes. This is just the beginning. I hope that we will continue with such strong collaborations with TESAM in the coming periods.”
After the closing speech, the panel session commenced
Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations (English), moderated the panel.
The speakers of the panel were Former Ambassador and Former Founding Secretary General of OTS Halil Akıncı, Deputy Secretary General of OTS Dr. Ömer Kocaman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ahmet Yesevi University Prof. Dr. Muhittin Şimşek, OTS Education and Project Coordinator Ali Çiviler, and Prof. Dr. Yaşar Sarı, Faculty Member of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Ibn Haldun University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dr. İlyas Bozkurt: “We care about young people growing up as idealistic and visionary individuals”
Dr. İlyas Bozkurt, Founding President of TESAM, delivered the closing speech of the program. Bozkurt said; “As TESAM Strategic Research Center, we started our journey in 2006. We initially began as the R&D center of a federation but transformed into an independent think tank in 2011. In the period since then, we have established a broad structure consisting of expert academicians in their fields. We became the only Turkish organization among more than 13,000 think tanks worldwide to enter the top 100. As TESAM, we care about young people growing up as idealistic and visionary individuals. That's why we organize simulation programs starting from high schools, encouraging young people to think and dream. The simulation we conducted here today is just a beginning; we will undertake much larger organizations in the future, perhaps even hold a final in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. TESAM also has strong international connections. For example, thanks to our agreement with Rotterdam University, we will offer English language education and simulation opportunities there this summer. Similarly, we are running reciprocal student programs with Azerbaijan. I believe that young people who can dream and think about the future will have a say in the destiny of this country. I see all of you who came here among these visionary young people and sincerely congratulate you.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Arslan: “We saw once again that we educate good students”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Arslan, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, touched upon the importance of such simulations. Arslan said; “It is a great pleasure for me to come together at such a meaningful and successful event. I sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this organization, especially my esteemed instructor İlyas. I am proud of our TESAM volunteer friends who impressed us with their professional attitudes despite their young age. Throughout these two days, you represented real countries, taking into account the international conjuncture and crisis scenarios, and produced foreign policy decisions. This is not an easy task. You made quick and accurate decisions in response to spontaneously developing crises. All of you gave us great hope with your speed of thought and common-sense approach. We saw once again that we educate good students, and we were very proud of this. We wish to further develop such simulations in the coming periods.”
Participants received their certificates
With the conclusion of the closing speeches, the closing ceremony commenced.
Certificates were presented to the participants of the two-day simulation program by TESAM Vice President Yıldırım Deniz and Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Arslan. The awards for the winning participants were presented by TESAM President Dr. İlyas Bozkurt and Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan.
The most successful country was ‘Russia’
While ‘Russia’ emerged as the most successful country within the simulation, participants were also awarded in areas such as the international policy council, defense and security council, and education and culture council.
Mini concert met with great interest
The State Folk Dance Ensemble of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of Fine Arts, gave a concert. The concert was met with great interest by the participants.
The two-day simulation program concluded with a group photo.