Addressing young people aiming for a career in communication, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay said, "Our faculty trains students not only with theoretical knowledge but also directly in the heart of the industry, with its AI-focused up-to-date curriculum, studios, and strong internship opportunities. Our goal is to prepare equipped communicators who will be strong players in this era."
Explaining that many current topics, from AI-supported content production to personalized communication strategies, from new digital threats like deepfake to ethical responsibilities, are covered in the courses, Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay stated, "We adopt an educational approach that closely follows developments in the communication world and keeps pace with digital transformation."
With the arrival of the university preference period, Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay, Dean of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication, guided prospective students who wish to study in the field of communication, explaining the faculty's vision and the privileges it offers to students.
With minor and double major opportunities, students can specialize in more than one field
Explaining the faculty's vision and the privileges offered to students, Prof. Dr. Atalay said, "Our faculty is an excellent choice for students who want to receive a solid education in communication and learn the practical side of the profession. Along with theoretical knowledge, practical courses, projects, and internship opportunities allow students to prepare for the industry while still at school. Thanks to our campus's central location, it's easy to connect with institutions in the media and communication fields. Furthermore, with minor and double major opportunities, our students can specialize in more than one area."
AI-focused courses are available in the curriculum as both mandatory and elective
Stating that we live in an era where artificial intelligence is decisive and its importance is increasingly growing, Prof. Dr. Atalay said, "Speed and continuous change are indispensable in this period. As a faculty, we constantly update our curriculum to keep pace with this speed. AI-focused courses are included in our curriculum as both mandatory and elective. Our academic staff is young and dynamic, so we continuously develop ourselves to respond to new needs, and while educating our students, we also continue to educate ourselves to always be better. The practical courses we conduct in our Mac and PC laboratories prepare our students for the industry as powerful players of this era."
Curriculum is developed according to the latest technological advancements
Prof. Dr. Atalay also explained that the Faculty of Communication consists of 8 departments, and each department develops its curriculum in line with its own needs, according to the latest technological developments and industry demands. She stated, "Many current topics, from AI-supported content production to personalized communication strategies, from new digital threats like deepfake to ethical responsibilities, are covered in the courses. Additionally, practical projects in areas such as VR/AR technologies, programmatic advertising, and SEO/SEM ensure that students both learn theoretical knowledge and prepare for innovations they will encounter in the industry. In short, we adopt an educational approach that closely follows developments in the communication world and keeps pace with digital transformation."
Practical training opportunities are also offered to students
Stating that the faculty offers many practical training opportunities for students to become industry-ready individuals, not just content with theoretical knowledge, Prof. Dr. Atalay continued:
"Our faculty's television studio, the university's television and radio studios, new media laboratory, advertising and public relations workshops, and similar facilities allow students to gain experience by producing projects. Additionally, the university provides various internship programs in collaboration with media organizations, agencies, digital marketing firms, and corporate communication departments. Every student has the right to complete one mandatory and one voluntary internship, with the university managing the insurance processes. Thanks to these internships, students get to know the industry closely and have the chance to connect with the business world before graduation. These practical processes enable students to take a step forward in their career paths, gain self-confidence, and find jobs faster after graduation. Many of our students spend their summers immersed in voluntary internships, exceeding the mandatory internship periods we require. Industry professionals are also reluctant to let go of such enthusiastic communication students, making their post-graduation employment inevitable."
Erasmus opportunities stand out
Prof. Dr. Atalay also reminded that the faculty has Erasmus agreements with many universities in Europe. She said, "Therefore, our students can benefit from Erasmus opportunities for both studying and internship placements. Our students who come to our faculty with Erasmus mobility from European countries are very satisfied with the warm and friendly faculty environment, in addition to the education they receive here. They come for one semester and request an extension for another semester. Furthermore, our faculty has partnerships and cooperation agreements with SOAS University of London in the UK, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro in Portugal, and Baku State University in Azerbaijan. The joint activities carried out through these connections enhance our students' visions."
Number of courses on Artificial Intelligence is increasing
Prof. Dr. Atalay also stated that the number of courses in areas such as 'Artificial Intelligence, Science Communication' will increase in the 2025-2026 Academic Year compared to previous years. She added, "Our laboratory-based courses are increasing. We have already planned extracurricular activities and workshops to teach our students to use artificial intelligence efficiently and ethically."
What are the scholarship opportunities?
Providing information about the university's scholarship opportunities, Prof. Dr. Atalay concluded by saying, "In addition to the OSYM scholarship, various scholarships are available: Top 5 Preference Scholarship, Preference Scholarship, Sibling Scholarship, Science and Idea Festival Scholarship, Academic Achievement, Alumni Scholarship, Board of Trustees Scholarship, Needs-Based Scholarship, Institutional and Sports scholarships. Furthermore, part-time work opportunities are provided for successful students, with scholarships given in return. Scholarship opportunities are updated annually according to our students' needs. We recommend prospective students to review the conditions of the Top 5 Preference Scholarship and Preference Scholarship with their preference counselors and also to check our university's 'Scholarships' page."