The 4th International Staff Week with the theme of "Quality Assurance in Education & Research Collaborations", held for the fourth time this year by Uşak University, started on May 29, 2023 with the participation of 60 representatives from 15 countries.

On the first day of the 4th International Staff Week, Uşak University Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş welcomed the international guests and the participants visiting Uşak University received information about the studies.

Opening Ceremony Held on Tuesday, May 30

On Tuesday, May 30, the second day of the event, with the participation of Governor of Uşak Turan Ergün and Uşak Provincial Protocol, the opening ceremony was held in the big hall of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Congress and Culture Center.

In the opening speech of the ceremony, Uşak University International Relations General Coordinator Assoc. Dr. Özgür Tarhan informed guests about the works performed by the International Relations General Coordination Office. Giving information about the International Staff Week, which they have been holding for four years, Dr. Tarhan explained the importance that Uşak University attaches to internationalization and thanked all the participants and those who contributed to the realization of the event.

Internationalization Strategy of Uşak University was introduced

Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş expressed his pleasure in hosting international guests in Uşak and gave information about Uşak University and international studies. Stating that they are very happy to hold the fourth event this year, which will contribute to the realization of student and staff mobility within the scope of the internationalization strategy, “We are hosting the academicians, especially the rectors of our international partner universities. In this year's International Week, we aim to increase quality assurance in international collaborations of institutions and organizations operating in the field of education and research. During the week, our participants will learn about quality assurance methods, strategies and best practices, share their experiences and expand their collaboration networks. During the week, panels and meetings will be held with the participation of experts from the Higher Education Quality Board (YÖKAK), TUBITAK, TURKEY NATIONAL AGENCY, Kadir Has University and Izmir High Technology University as speakers and panelists. The conferences, seminars, workshops and panels to be held within the scope of the organization will provide the participants with the opportunity to follow the latest developments in the field and increase the power of international collaborations. We will introduce both our city and Turkish culture through various excursions and social programs. I believe that International Staff Week will be productive and beneficial. Thank you to all our participants. Welcome to Uşak and our Uşak University”said Prof. Dr. Savaş.     

 “Welcome all of you to Uşak, the land of lovers, which we call the city of firsts” said Governor Ergün

Uşak Governor Dr. Turan Ergün, on the other hand, started his speech by saying "Welcome all of you to Uşak, the land of lovers, which we call the city of firsts," and said, "Like many respected institutions and organizations in the world, our Uşak University has hosted many organizations to offer original academic studies to the sharing of scientists, change collaboration environments, encourage research, contribute to the promotion of our country and cities. The International Week event, which started on Monday, May 29 and will continue until Friday, June 2, is an important activity aimed at increasing quality assurance in these international collaborations. In this very valuable week, important scientists came to our city from all over the world to share their knowledge. We are proud of the achievements of Uşak University, which hosts an international event and grows day by day with its certificates, quality documents and scientific studies. These successes undoubtedly come at the end of great efforts and studies. We see the success of Uşak University as the success of both Uşak and our country.”

In the continuation of his speech, Governor Dr. Ergün introduced Uşak and talked about the historical and cultural values ​​of Uşak. Noting that the most important feature of Uşak today is that it is an environmentally friendly city and the capital of recycling in Turkey, Governor Dr. Ergün said, “Today, 75 percent of the waste materials produced in the textile industry in Turkey and 1 percent of the pet wastes in the world are recycled in Uşak, and it serves to protect the environment.” I believe that it will improve the cooperation between universities”.

Potential Indicators of Quality Assurance System in Higher Education and Research was Explained

After the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf from Pakistan,The University of Lahore, made a presentation titled “Potential Indicators of Quality Assurance System in Higher Education and Research”.

After the presentation of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Fulbright Coordinator of Uşak University International Relations Office Dr. Gaye Kuru made a presentation about “Turkish Culture”.

After the presentations, under the culture and art coordination of Dr. Onur Altıntuğ ,from Uşak University Faculty of Fine Arts, Zeybek show was performed by Lect. Meltem Altıntuğ and Lect. Emre Aslan and a Sema Show (Whirling Dervish Dance) was performed by Lect. Hüsamettin Yüce Doğan. Also, a music concert by the Uşak Municipality City Orchestra was held.  

On the 3rd day of the 4th International Week, Quality Assurance in Higher Education and International Education and Research Cooperation Opportunities were discussed.

The 3rd day of the 4th International Week continued with a conference and panel held at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Congress and Culture Center. First of all, a conference on "Quality Assurance In Higher Education" was held by Turkish Higher Education Quality Council(YÖKAK) member Dr. Meryem Ayşegül Kozak Çakır.  In her presentation, Dr. Kozak Çakır answered the questions by explaining the quality policies implemented by universities in Turkey and their efforts to increase the quality of education. Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savas thanked Dr. Kozak Çakır for her valuable information and presented a plaque.

International Participants Introduced Their Universities

After the conference, the representatives of the participating universities gave information about their universities at the event called '5- Minute Challenge: Introduce yourself!' and expressed their gratitude for being in Uşak and Uşak University.

International Cooperation Opportunities were Explained

In the event that took place in the afternoon of the third day, a panel on "International Education and Research Collaboration Opportunities" was held. In the panel moderated by Uşak University Faculty of Education Dean Prof. Dr. Bülent Çavaş; Eylem Ismet Atay and Tuğba Arslan Kantarcıoğlu from TÜBİTAK, Ercan Laçin and Fatmanur Başak from the Turkish National Agency, Project Specialist Ayhan Gücüyener from Kadir Has University and Prof. Dr. Bünyamin Akgül took part as panelists.

Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş drew attention to the importance of internationalization and international cooperation. Stating that the information conveyed by the panelists is stimulating, Prof. Dr. Savaş thanked the speakers and presented their plaques.

After the panel, international guests and participants visited the exhibition and participated in the workshops in the Ceramic Workshop at the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Uşak University 4th International Week ended with visits to Uşak OSB Technopark, Uşak and its surrounding historical and touristic sites and the Ancient City of Ephesus on 1st and 2nd June.