The guide and mentor program for university candidates, ‘Life is a Choice’, continues its candidate meetings. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, together with Exp. Psych. Cons. Ece Tözeniş, gave important information to prospective students regarding career planning during the “Life is a Choice Meetings” moderated by Journalist Şaban Özdemir.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “An agile university, not a cumbersome one, should be preferred”
In the seminar held at the fair organized by Unitercih and Eket Fuarcılık at the Istanbul Congress Center, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan offered advice to prospective students during the preference period; “This fair is an opportunity for our students. Because they will be in direct contact with the instructors. Normally, it is difficult to visit all universities one by one, but here, it is very important to see the instructors and departments and to ask the questions on their minds directly. Education has a characteristic; it is not just vocational training, but a master-apprentice relationship. The instructor needs to transfer their experience and knowledge to the student. For this to happen, there must be a common communication area between students and instructors. If an instructor comes to the university, closes their door, does not meet with students, only meets them from class to class, and does not transfer their knowledge to the student, then that is not a university. That is a cumbersome university. That is why I tell my young friends to consider an agile university, not a cumbersome one. They should research universities that are dynamic, adapt quickly to the online period, can give synchronous one-on-one lessons, and can demonstrate student-centricity not just in words but in practice. University education where students and faculty members are not in active relationships becomes an apprenticeship.” he stated.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Viewing a profession as a lifestyle is not healthy”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan; “Some people see their profession like skin. You cannot change your skin, but you can change your clothes. It is necessary to see the profession in this way and not to attach too much meaning to it. Viewing a profession as a lifestyle is not very healthy. We have the responsibility to transfer the experience and knowledge set you possess. They should make decisions by combining both emotion and reason, not just one, and listen to their inner voice. The inner voice is the most important. The greatest need of young people today is not academic success, but life success. As emotional intelligence, academic success does not meet our needs. In other words, a diploma alone is not enough for the situation. That is why, as Üsküdar Üniversitesi, we have included positive psychology courses in our curriculum to synthesize these.” he stated.
Uzm. Psk. Dan. Ece Tözeniş: “You should make preferences half below and half above your success rank”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Education Institutions and Guidance Services Manager, Exp. Psych. Cons. Ece Tözeniş, who gave information on how to make the right choice; “It is very important to turn the crisis we are experiencing into an opportunity and make the right choice. You are lucky that the preference period has been extended this year. The last day for preferences is August 20th. Exploring more, seeing, and talking is a very good opportunity for you. The success ranks you are currently making preferences for are the success ranks formed as a result of the tendencies of students who took the exam last year. This year, success ranks will be formed according to your success status. You can always make preferences for half below and half above your success rank. Be sure to make your choices taking into account the quotas of the department and program you prefer. Make sure your preference list consists only of the departments you want to go to and intend to study, before it is completed.” she said.
Şaban Özdemir: “Because they also prefer universities like the candidates”
TV Education Program Producer-Journalist Şaban Özdemir said, “Candidates making choices should pay attention to the environment of freedom universities offer to academicians and students. Is there a free environment? This is very important. Similarly, flexibility is also valuable. It should be investigated whether the university allows students to develop themselves and offers flexibility in many areas for the student's development. Another issue candidates should pay attention to is the university's technological literacy. Because no matter which department, field, or profession is chosen, aspects like artificial intelligence, data analysis…etc. should not be neglected. Sustainability is equally important. Look at the academicians and the administrative staff; I think it is important whether they work long-term. If there is a happy academic and administrative staff, it means there is stability. This also brings success. Attention should also be paid to how the university supports its students and employees in emotional and social contexts. And attention should be paid to the profile of academicians who choose the university. Because academicians also choose and prefer universities, just like candidates…” he stated.
You can visit the University Preference Fair at the Istanbul Congress Center, which also features Üsküdar Üniversitesi's stand and where academicians and preference counselors provide information about preferences, between August 6-7-8.