Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak Met with Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Students

Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of Üsküdar University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, met with students within the scope of the Dean-Student Meeting. During the meeting, students' demands, suggestions, and expectations were addressed, and evaluations were made regarding the academic and social aspects of university life.

Held in the Socrates Hall of Üsküdar University's South Campus, the Dean-Student Meeting created a sharing environment where students could directly convey their demands and suggestions to the faculty administration. 

During the meeting, evaluations were also made regarding students' more active participation in university life.

“Your activities in clubs will greatly benefit you”

Highlighting that students should attach importance not only to academic success but also to their social and cultural development in university life, Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak emphasized the importance of student clubs in this regard. Stating that the social transcript application is also important in making students' social activities visible, Kaynak said:

“You also see how important clubs are. Those who are not members should definitely join. We are currently implementing the social transcript application. This is very important. Now the same thing has started all over the world. Not academically successful students, but socially active students, students with high social awareness, are becoming more prominent in recruitment. Some institutions like Apple and Microsoft have even started to de-emphasize university degrees. Therefore, your activities in clubs, being active in areas you find close to yourself and your talents, will greatly benefit you in your future lives. Your social transcript will be more effective than your diploma. The world is moving in this direction. Because knowledge is acquired from everywhere. Artificial intelligence is being used when taking notes. Now, a student having high social awareness has become more desirable than having high grades, especially from the business world's perspective. In that regard, if you achieve both, it's the best, but don't neglect your social activities. In other words, clubs are very important; your sense of belonging to the school increases. You'll have a more enjoyable time at school. You'll create good networks. You'll make new friends.”

“We are like a family here”

Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, stating that the faculty environment is not just an academic space for students, emphasized the importance of students forming a strong sense of belonging with the faculty. Highlighting the warm and friendly atmosphere of the faculty, Kaynak said; “We are like a family here. This is the difference between our faculty and others. We genuinely have a very warm environment. Our students and alumni visit us frequently. It is important for us that you are happy and enjoy yourselves here. Think of this place not as a school but as a home, a nest. May you have some memories and stories to leave for those who come after you. Come and always be around even afterwards. If we develop within that mindset, we will have a more enjoyable time. After all, four or five years will pass so quickly. These are times you cannot return to even if you wish later. Therefore, pay attention to your lessons and participate in social activities,” she said. 

Don’t limit yourselves to your own department…

Kaynak stated that students participating in different activities held within the faculty and university, without limiting themselves to their own departments, would contribute to their personal and academic development, and added that seminars and events offer the opportunity to gain direct knowledge from field experts.

“Don't just think it has to be about your own department”

Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak underlined the importance of students drawing from different disciplines. Kaynak said; “Seminars are held at our university. Don't just think it has to be about your own department. Attend a psychology seminar. Many wonderful things are being done related to translation. They analyze novels. Join them. Participate in the events organized by political science. In other words, be involved in all of them. You will gain more. Seminars are sometimes more beneficial than classes. Because instructors take the subject they know best, make it tiny like a pill, and explain it there. In other words, the field expert focuses on a specific topic. That is very useful,” she said.

The FHSS Dean-Student Meeting, after answering students' questions and sharing mutual views, ended with a group photo session.