Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan gave important tips to candidates regarding the preference process. Emphasizing the need to keep up with digital transformation, Tarhan highlighted that they always take steps for quality education centered around this transformation.
With the announcement of YKS results, the excitement of university preferences has begun among candidates and their families. Candidates are now continuing their efforts to choose the most suitable department and university that will shape their careers. We spoke with Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Head of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, about the opportunities and possibilities it offers. Tarhan gave important tips to candidates on how to manage the university preference marathon process most effectively.
WE MUST DETERMINE OUR DIGITAL ROADMAP
“A university aiming to raise good students must be sensitive to societal problems, prioritize scientific and critical thinking, uphold ethical values, and adhere to principles of equality, reliability, and rationality,” said Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to digitalization. Tarhan stated, “Today, there is a rapid change in the world with digitalization. If we read this change correctly and take the right position, it will take us to our desired goals. If we take the wrong position, we will lose. We need to gain a significant competitive advantage here. Digital transformation is inevitable. We must discuss how we can adapt it to our needs. We must determine our digital roadmap. Üsküdar University, along with all our scientific and application partners, strives to represent our country in the best possible way.”
WE OFFER EDUCATION THAT PRIORITIZES TECH-ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan highlighted their work in this field, stating that as Üsküdar University, they offer an education that combines technology with health, prioritizing techno-entrepreneurship. Tarhan said, “Our students have the opportunity to receive education from an academic staff that includes a scientist with a schizophrenia drug patent, a member of the UN Drug Control Board, a member of the UN Environment Board, and faculty members who are experts in many other different areas in Political Psychology research. Furthermore, our graduates from health sciences undergraduate and associate degree programs, especially our Faculty of Medicine, gain strong employment opportunities through the NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi practice and scientific partnership, and our Faculty of Dentistry graduates through the Üsküdar University Dental Hospital collaboration.”
UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS ARE A HABITAT
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated, “One should consider that we cannot become a brand because we do not adhere to the rule that you cannot be universal without being local. It is important to succeed in standing out in a thematic area and becoming a reference point. University systems are a habitat; diligent academics raise this habitat, while intelligent but lazy employees pull it down.”
WE ARE THE FIRST UNIVERSITY IN THE WORLD TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated, “We embarked on our journey as Turkey’s first university themed around behavioral sciences, engineering, and health.” He added that they are the first university not only in Turkey but also in the world to lay the foundation for “Positive Psychology” and offer it as a credited course. Tarhan noted that they regularly organize conferences in this field, emphasizing the importance of social and emotional skills. Tarhan said, “We have been awarding Human Values Awards every year since 2016. We offer the ‘Positive Psychology’ course, also defined as ‘The Science of Goodness,’ as a rectorate course to all students.”
THE UNIVERSITY OF FIRSTS IN TURKEY
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that as Üsküdar University, they are the university of firsts, having achieved many pioneering accomplishments. He made the following remarks: “Since our establishment, we have achieved many firsts. We established Turkey’s first Institute of Sufi Studies. Our students develop under the same roof with an academic institution focused on human values and fostering qualified individuals. Furthermore, we offer Turkey’s first Forensic Sciences Undergraduate Program, as well as departments and programs for future professions where students can receive multidisciplinary education.”
TRGENMER'S PROJECT SELECTED AS SPACE TRAVELER
Tarhan noted that with all its academic units, they undertake sustainable projects in various fields to transform ideas into products. He stated, “To give a few examples, TRGENMER, which works in the field of gene technology, is the academic unit that produces the highest number of projects for TÜBİTAK in CRISPR technology in Turkey. One of the 13 projects announced to go into space within the scope of the National Space Program was the ‘Message (Microgravity Associated Genetics) Science Mission’ developed by TRGENMER. As part of the study where 13 scientific projects are being carried out under the science mission, Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever met with project executives at Üsküdar University. The duo received training from Dr. Cihan Taştan and his team regarding the study.”
To Become a Brand University
Tarhan stated that upon examining universities that have become brands in the academic world, many are seen to have a history of over 250-300 years. He added that academic excellence alone is not enough to become a brand: “For a Turkish university to become a brand, in addition to academic excellence, it must possess several other qualities. It must be a pioneering, exemplary, universal university that provides added value and contributes to urban and regional development. Furthermore, it should contribute to our country’s socio-economic and cultural structure, and particularly offer international-level education and research opportunities in science, health, tourism, history, and cultural resource management. Considering our country’s natural, cultural, economic, and social needs and its important position, it must have high-quality education, teaching, research, and application programs that are dominant in contemporary technology.”
The only university from Turkey to participate in the G20 Summit
Tarhan stated that with outstanding achievements in medicine, engineering, communication, history, sociology, psychology, sports, art, and many other fields, they have over 3,500 international students from 96 countries. He also mentioned that they are the only higher education institution from Turkey participating in the G20 Summit.
A Well-Chosen Profession Has a Therapeutic Effect
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, making an important reminder to candidates on the eve of university preferences regarding career choice, stated that a well-chosen profession has a therapeutic effect. Tarhan made the following assessments: “Generally, ‘livelihood’ is prioritized in career choices. However, a profession is not just about livelihood but also crucial for a person’s self-satisfaction, contentment, and happiness. Therefore, we advise students, when making their choice, to decide not just for their 4 years of university education, but for a profession they can say, ‘I will carry it like a sword for life and spend my life with it’.”
'Which university' with a career test
Tarhan drew attention to the importance of “career tests” in guiding individuals towards the right professions in their decision-making. He stated, “On Üsküdar University’s website, there is a career test that helps individuals understand their strengths and weaknesses. This test provides results on which artistic, academic, social, or verbal areas a person is successful in. Even though verbal, numerical, or equally weighted scores are currently known, it is beneficial to also consult a career assessment scale,” guiding university candidates towards making the right choice.
Opportunity to learn 7 languages
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that they have taken important steps to ensure their students' global competitiveness. He mentioned that Üsküdar University offers its students a rich foreign language learning option, where, in addition to English, they can take one of the German, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese courses as a second language education if they wish, as an elective course.