First Student Congress Held at Üsküdar Communication

This year, the first “Communication Studies Student Symposium (IFIC)” was organized by Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication. In the symposium, students had the opportunity to present their projects developed in the field of communication in an academic environment, while topics such as changing communication practices in the age of artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, creativity, and academic production processes came to the forefront. In the sessions held throughout the day, students presented their papers prepared in many different areas such as advertising, digital media, artificial intelligence, perception management, education, health, and accessibility. 

Many academics and students, including Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör and Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Gül Esra Atalay, attended the symposium, which started at Üsküdar University South Campus Fuat Sezgin Conference Hall.

Prof. Nazife Güngör: “It is not enough to be just good; it is necessary to be different”

Speaking at the opening of the symposium, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör emphasized the importance of the first student congress held and gave significant advice to young people on technology, career, and personal development. Güngör said; “First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you. Because presenting a paper here and sharing your dedicated projects with the public while still an undergraduate student requires great courage. I congratulate each of you for this courage. Today, technology is changing very rapidly, especially with the impact of artificial intelligence. Therefore, being individuals who constantly learn, research, produce, and develop themselves is no longer a choice but a necessity. At the same time, strengthening your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit is also of great importance. Because today, it is not enough to be just good; it is necessary to be different. The way to stand out in career planning and business life after graduation is to have characteristics that set you apart from others. This event organized here today is precisely an important opportunity for this. It offers a valuable platform where you can share your ideas and showcase yourselves. Moreover, as the Faculty of Communication, we are achieving a first in this regard. Therefore, I believe we should all be proud of ourselves.”

Prof. Gül Esra Atalay: “They are making significant contributions to academia and all sectors”

Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication Dean Prof. Gül Esra Atalay delivered her speech within the scope of the symposium. Atalay said; “I sincerely thank all our instructors who educate our students and contribute to the strong continuation of academic life. Thanks to their efforts and dedication, we can share such a valuable environment here today. Today, we will share in the excitement of our students, but in fact, we will also be inspired by them. Because young brains and young minds can see what we cannot perceive. With their fresh ideas, different perspectives, and innovative approaches, they make significant contributions to academia and all sectors. Therefore, today is also a time for us to learn from you. I am truly very proud of all of you.”

Assoc. Prof. Burak Çeber: “It is also necessary to master the knowledge of knowledge”

Assoc. Prof. Burak Çeber, a faculty member of the Faculty of Communication, Advertising Department, and President of the IFIC Organizing Committee, said the following in his speech at the symposium:

“Artificial intelligence has now become an important part of our lives. It not only affects our ways of doing business, our communication processes, and our daily lives, but also deeply transforms them. Therefore, it is possible to talk about a total change today. Of course, this transformation has many positive aspects. However, there are also some negative effects that we need to consider from time to time. Our topic today actually focuses precisely on this. In this process where the use of artificial intelligence is increasing, our mental thinking skills, our capacity to focus, and our decision-making ability can be significantly affected. Therefore, when using technology, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the conveniences it provides but also to how it transforms us. Especially in knowledge production processes, it is of great importance to understand how that knowledge emerged rather than just reaching the conclusion, and to question through which stages we acquired it. In short, I believe that it is necessary not only to possess knowledge but also to master the knowledge of knowledge.” he said.

Following the opening speeches, the symposium moved on to the interview section. 

Assoc. Prof. Burak Çeber, President of the IFIC Organizing Committee, moderated the interview.

Prof. Cem Sefa Sütçü: “Shared knowledge both develops and opens the way for new ideas” 

Prof. Cem Sefa Sütçü, a faculty member of the Department of Management Information Systems, Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences at Istanbul Gedik University, delivered his presentation titled "Who's Afraid of Doing Research: Working with Artificial Intelligence Technology" as part of the interview. 

Sütçü said; “When presenting a research or explaining the methodology section, it is essential to mention three basic elements. The first is how you create the research design. The second is how you collect data in line with this design. The third is by what methods you analyze the collected data. It is of great importance that all three stages are explained completely. Sometimes researchers only describe the data collection process or only the analysis method. However, in this case, the study remains incomplete. This is one of the points that reviewers most frequently pay attention to, especially when articles or conference papers are evaluated. Deficiencies in the methodology section can often lead to requests for revisions or rejection. Undoubtedly, the most difficult part of the job is creating the research design. Although it may seem complex and crowded at first glance, this should not scare you. This approach is also at the core of all the studies I have done from my assistantship period to today. Because what is truly important in academia is a culture of openness and sharing. Today, you are also presenting your works here. My biggest advice is that you definitely publish these works and share them with others. Let people read your works, share points they see as missing with you; and you, by developing these, present something better in your next research. Science only progresses in this way. I have always acted with this understanding throughout my career and have never hesitated to share what I produced. The saying 'Knowledge multiplies when shared' was truly not said in vain. I have seen countless times in my own experiences how true this is. Shared knowledge both develops and opens the way for new ideas.”

Assoc. Prof. Derya Gül Ünlü: “Artificial intelligence has become an important tool in academic production processes”

Assoc. Prof. Derya Gül Ünlü, a faculty member of the Public Relations and Publicity Department, Faculty of Communication at Istanbul University, shared her presentation titled "From Algorithm to Empathy: The Human-Centered Evolution of Technology" with the participants.

Ünlü said; “We all see that the development speed of artificial intelligence is increasing steadily. From the perspective of the academic community, we are not only producing text with artificial intelligence but also encountering new systems for detecting AI-generated content and utilizing these tools. In the long term, I believe that artificial intelligence will be a tool shaped by the guidance of the user, rather than an independent actor. It will transform into an assistant that offers suggestions according to our needs and develops with us, just like an extension of ourselves. On the other hand, in the last year, we have seen a growing number of academic studies prepared directly using artificial intelligence. Some of these studies are published with a clear statement that artificial intelligence was used as a research tool. However, an important area of discussion emerges here: the limits of this use, its ethical framework, and its regulation. Therefore, while artificial intelligence becomes an important tool in academic production processes, it also continues to create a ground for discussion that is still unclear, what we refer to as a ‘gray area’.”

Certificates Presented to Students

After the interview, certificates of appreciation were presented by Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Gül Esra Atalay to the advisor faculty members and students of student projects accepted by TÜBİTAK 2209, and by Head of the Journalism Department Prof. Süleyman İrvan to Haber Üsküdar reporters who took part in the 13th International Communication Days. 

Subsequently, presentations consisting of 7 sessions began in the designated classrooms.

Gen Z, Advertisements, and Consumer Trends Discussed

The 1st session began under the title “Consumer Behavior, Advertising, and Brand Perception.” The session chair was Özgür Köy.

In the session, Zeynep Naz Ağdemir, Serkan Sayar, and Dilara Kurtuluş presented their paper titled “The Effect of Greenwashing on Brand Trust in Gen Z Consumers: The Impact on Eco-Friendly Skincare Advertisements”; Tuana Nur Oksak, Melike Demirkapu, and Zeynep Süeda Şenkal presented “Consumer Perception of Cosmetic Brands' Surprise Boxes”; Sılanaz Ögünç and Eda Yakuphanoğullarından presented “The Effect of Store Scents on Consumers' Purchase Intention”; Hava Ekelik and Yağmur Boran Gürer presented “The Effect of Packaging Design on Consumer Purchase Intention.” Seçil Demirtaş presented “An Examination of Consumers' Attitudes Towards Informal Apology Messages”; Abdülkerim Öğüt and Lokman Aziz Ayyıldız presented their paper titled “The Effect of Brands' E-Sport Advertisements on Consumers' Purchase Intention”; and Zeynep Nehir Güler presented her work titled “A Study on the Effect of Social Media Advertisements on Individuals' Eating Habits.”

Youth and Social Representation in the Grip of Digital Media

The 2nd session began under the title “Digital Media, Youth, and Social Representation.” Meriç Demirci chaired the session.
Nesibe Zeynep Yıldız, Gamze Emine Güdek, and Edanur İpin presented “Representations of Migration in Media and Meaning-Making Practices of Young Individuals: A Qualitative Research”; Elif Kesici presented “Digital Lynching in the Age of Omnipticon; An Examination of the Melis Olcay Case”; Elif Hilal Cengiz and Mert Çelik presented “‘Crumbling Journalism’ on Social Media: An Examination of News-Appearing Accounts on the X Platform”; and Arda Yağız Tufan presented his work titled “Gen Z and Podcasts: A Study on Young People's Podcast Listening Motivations and Behaviors.”

Perception Management and the Problem of Reality in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Şükrü Yanmaz chaired the 3rd session titled “Artificial Intelligence, Digital Identity, and Perception Management.” In the session, Şuğra Dağaşan, Yeşim Durmuş, Sevde Karataş, and Gökalp Bel presented “AI-Generated Visual Content and the Construction of Reality Perception: A Study on Elderly Individuals”; Belinay Şimşek, Sıla Akyüz, Hava Sıla Bulduk, Zeyneb Reyhan Kılıç, and Emirhan Duvarbaşı presented “Artificial Intelligence and Visual Manipulation: Its Effect on Human Perception”; Melek Sueda Aksoylu and Buket Esra Karaeli presented “Manifestations of AI Sexism on Social Media: A Digital Ethnography Study Through the 'Sera' Virtual Influencer Profile”; Müberra Dede presented “The Relationship Between Avatar Selection and Individual Characteristics in Role-Playing Games: A Qualitative Research”; and Melis Yıldız presented her work titled “Artist Perspectives on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Music Production: A Qualitative Research” to the session chairs.

Corporate Governance Discussed from Education to Public Processes

Research Assistant Dr. Bahşende Çoban Azizoğlu presented the 4th session titled “Public, Education, and Corporate Process Management.”
In the session, Ali Kohantorabi presented “The Impact of Digital Diaspora on the Integration of Iranian International Students in Turkey”; Edanur Aktaş presented “Student Satisfaction Survey Project”; Ahmet Talha Berse presented “Driver Rule Violations at Unsignalized Pedestrian Crossings in Turkey: Definition, Reasons, Problem, and Solution Proposals”; Ebrar Başkan and Fatma Kaya presented “Representation of News Related to Peer Bullying in Digital Media”; Eda Onuk, Zeynep Su Sargın, Ecrin Balaban, and Handan Yılmaz took part in the session with their work titled “CİMER's Public Relations Activities in Terms of Public Relations Practices in the Public Sector.” Cenan Demirel, Elif Ezgi Gül, and Yumna Almuallem presented their work titled “University Experience of Individuals in Advanced Adulthood: An Examination of Technology Use in Personal Development and Social Adaptation Processes.”

From Cinema to Cyberspace: Digital Narrative and Visual Culture

Pınar Yıldırım Karaman chaired the 5th session titled “Cinema, Visual Culture, Animation, and Digital Narrative.” In the session, Azra Erdoğan presented her paper titled “Representations of Femininity and Masculinity on Digital Platforms: A Semiotic Analysis of the Film Merve Kült.” Esame Ayşe Atalay took part in the session with her work titled “The Public Quality of Public Art: A Semiotic Analysis of Istanbul Murals.” Azra Nur Akkuş, Sümeyye Nur Tuna, and Zeynep Çoban shared their paper titled “The Manipulative Effect of Visual-Auditory Parameters on Audience Perception in Cinematic Narrative: An Experiment at the Intersection of Light, Color, and Sound Design.” Sara Sabur, Zeynep Seza Acet, and Beyza Sevük made a presentation titled “Global Competitiveness Analysis of the Animation Industry in Turkey.” Muhammet Furkan Yılmaz presented his paper titled “Development of an E-Book for 3D Modeling and Animation Education with a Synthesis of Turkish Mythology and Cyberpunk.” Ravza Nur Atakul presented her work titled “Awareness for Forest Fires with VR Animation: A Turkish Mythology-Based Simulation.”

Innovative Awareness Designs for Children and Health

The 6th session began under the title “Children, Learning, Health, and Awareness Designs.” Beyza Polat chaired the session.
In the session, Ravzanur Şahinkaya, Gözdenur Çoşkun, and Hamed Bahadori, whose projects were accepted by TÜBİTAK, presented their paper titled “Fairy Tale-Based Mathematics Learning: An Application Example for Children with Specific Learning Difficulties.” Nilsu Bircan and Nil Özer took part in the session with their work titled “Current Scoliosis Awareness Through Interactive Booklet and Digital Animation.” Beril Başar and Sude Sasa made a presentation titled “Developmental Effects of Digital Screen Addiction in Early Childhood and a Visual Communication-Based Awareness Study.” Tunahan Bıyık presented his paper titled “Goodness Piggy Bank.” Sevgi Aksoy and Mert Aksoy presented their paper titled “Multi-Sensory Cognitive Support Card Design for Early and Mid-Stage Alzheimer's Patients.”

Accessible Living: Accessibility and Experience Design

Eda Nur Aybar chaired the final session titled “Accessibility, Body Perception, and Experience Design.” In the session, Fatma Zeycan Veli presented her paper titled “Digital Accessibility and Artificial Intelligence: A Qualitative Study on the Digital Experiences of Disadvantaged Individuals in Turkey.” Aybüke Merve Akdemir took part in the session with her work titled “An Examination of Body Image Created by Social Media on Gen Z.” Maryem Grich and Huda Narmouq presented their paper titled “‘Through Their Eyes’ Experiential Book Design for Dyslexia Awareness.” Beyza Aksu made a presentation titled “The Effect of Digital Advertisements on Women's Perception of Beauty.” Dilan Yarem Korkmaz, whose project was accepted by TÜBİTAK, took part in the session with her work titled “Experience System for Conveying the Feeling of Music to Hearing-Impaired Individuals Using Visual Animation and Vibration Technologies.” Aysima Yurtseven and Hülya Poyraz shared their paper titled “The Effect of Visual Metaphors and Infographic-Based Digital Material Design on Learning Retention in Turkish Sign Language Education.” Mehmet Utku Sönmez and Yusuf Demirci made a presentation titled “Development of an Artistic Handbook and E-Book for Face Recognition Disorder Prosopagnosia Awareness.” Hatice Züleyha Özeken and Pınar Ünlüer shared their work titled “Children's Book Design Supporting Emotional Literacy: An Application Model from a Visual Communication Design Perspective” with the session chairs.

The first student congress concluded with the students' project presentations, the presentation of participation certificates, and a group photo session.