Stating that the importance of communication has come to the fore in all areas during the pandemic period, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, “Communicators have very important duties in this regard. Social isolation should actually be physical isolation. However, it is being transformed into psychological isolation. When there is psychological isolation, physical distance increases. The information that communicators will derive with scientific methodology in this regard will make significant contributions to the world of communication.” said.
The 7th International Communication Days Symposium on Communication Education in the Digital Age, organized by Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication and lasting three days, concluded with the closing speech of Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “It was a productive scientific event that reached many people”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the 7th International Communication Days Symposium on Communication Education in the Digital Age was held with the participation of 190 speakers in 35 sessions, 150 presentations, and 7 key speakers, including 3 international ones, and was watched by 2,500 people, making it a very productive symposium.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “We must be generous in sharing knowledge for the development of thought”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that the symposium, which took place in a digital environment as part of pandemic measures, actually provided significant experience in this area, adding that a large number of people were reached, judging by the participant and viewership figures, which is important for scientific studies. Tarhan said, “The most important purpose of conferences is to contribute to the literature and share experiences. Being digital provided significant contributions in this regard. We plan to comprehensively prepare an e-book that will detail the results of this symposium. We produce knowledge, and we share the knowledge we produce. This is how thought develops. If we want thought to develop, we must certainly be generous in sharing knowledge. It is very important that we can present our information within scientific standards.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “We implemented the live classroom application during the pandemic”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that digitalization, especially in education and communication, has come to the fore during the current pandemic process, stating, “It has gained serious momentum worldwide and turned into a necessity. In terms of digitalization in communication, many universities completed education in the past period by presenting PowerPoint slides and sending videos. They couldn’t conduct live classes. We were able to easily conduct live classes last year during the second semester, when Covid-19 was at its peak.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “We introduced the concept of a 'Fi-gital' university”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that Üsküdar University prepared its infrastructure according to a 30% virtual classroom application, and said, “After two weeks of preparation, we quickly started. Then we held a search meeting on digitalization. We evaluated topics such as 'What does the digitalization of education bring, what does it take away, how effective can it be?' There, we introduced the concept of a 'Fi-gital University'. Instruction can be digital, but education cannot be entirely digital. Therefore, it was important for practical applications to be done in the field and to establish a student-teacher relationship, similar to a master-apprentice relationship. At the same time, communication has not only a scientific aspect but also an artistic one. Our students will learn communication from their professors. Close relationships are important for this. That’s why we established this system. An academician's most important priority should be to educate good students.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Important duties fall to communicators”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan noted that TÜBİTAK has recently focused on original values, widespread impact, and output effect, stating, “What will these bring to society, and what needs of society will they meet? The most important concept in discussing such topics is cooperation. Within the concept of cooperation, communicators have a very significant role. They need to teach us shortcuts, show methods, and inform the public about this. An academician's first duty is education, the second is R&D, and the third is informing society. Communicators, as critical individuals, will develop methods for what can be done in terms of informing society.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “The importance of communication was understood during the pandemic period”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the importance of communication was once again understood during the pandemic period, saying, “Communicators have very important duties in this regard. Social isolation should actually be physical isolation. It is being transformed into psychological isolation. Social isolation can occur without psychological isolation. When there is psychological isolation, physical distance increases. I believe that the information communicators will derive using scientific methodology in this regard will receive good reflection in the communication world.”
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “Approximately 2,500 people watched the 8th Communication Days”
Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication Dean Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör also stated that a very productive scientific event was held at the symposium, where communication education was discussed from all aspects, with 190 speakers and 150 paper abstracts presented. Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör noted that the viewership rates for the online symposium were quite high, saying, “There were approximately 2,500 views. Each of the 30 sessions, excluding those with invited speakers, had at least 60 viewers. There were 1,500 viewers on YouTube. This is truly a record.”
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “The main theme of the 8th Communication Days will be Communication in the Pandemic Period”
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör stated that communication was thoroughly examined from all aspects over three days, noting that it was discussed in terms of its educational, artistic, and curricular dimensions. She added that due to the pandemic, the importance of digitalization in education has been understood, and therefore, the main theme of the 8th Communication Days, planned to be held next year, will be “Communication in the Pandemic Period.”
190 speakers participated, 150 papers presented
The 7th International Communication Days Symposium on Communication Education in the Digital Age concluded in three days. The comprehensive scientific event, held online due to measures taken within the scope of the pandemic, addressed communication education in all its aspects and featured 190 speakers, including seven invited speakers, three of whom were from abroad. Approximately 150 paper abstracts were presented in the symposium, which consisted of 35 sessions. Prof. Dr. Erik Knudsen from Central Lancashire University in the UK, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Salvatore Scifo from Bournemouth University, Prof. Dr. Halil Nalçaoğlu from Istanbul Bilgi University, Prof. Dr. Maureen Ellis, Prof. Dr. Peyami Çelikcan from İstinye University, Retired Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Oya Tokgöz from Ankara University, and journalist-researcher Emre Kızılkaya participated as invited speakers.