Gelisim News

Universities also shape the values of individuals

Pointing out that universities are not only the institutions where vocational and technical education is given, but also the leading institutions where future generations understand their roles in society as individuals and shape their values and beliefs, Asst. Prof. Dr. Aslıhan Güzin Selçuk said: “Education forms the basis for a culture of tolerance and the building of peaceful, stable and prosperous societies ensuring social gender equality, supporting healthy living awareness, preventing violence.”

Selçuk reminded that Istanbul Gelisim University became 1st in Turkey out of 34 Turkish Universities evaluated and was recorded in top 100 in the World in the category of ‘Quality Education’ under the Times Higher Education World University Ranking (Impact Ranking 2020) where 676 universities of the 82 countries were evaluated.
 
Selçuk said: “Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Ranking is the first and only ranking in the world based on the responsibility and added value that universities have undertaken in the local, regional, national and international arena in line with the 17 sustainable development goals set by the United Nations (UN).”
 
“UNIVERSITIES' SOLE RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT ONLY TO GIVE QUALIFIED EDUCATION TO STUDENTS”
 
Pointing out that higher education plays an important role in the sustainable development of societies, Asst. Prof. Dr. Aslıhan Güzin Selçuk said: “Universities are not the institutions where only vocational and technical education is given, but also the leading institutions where future generations understand their roles in society as individuals and shape their values ​​and beliefs. For this reason, it is an active player in sustainable development. Today, the only responsibility of universities is not only to provide qualified education to their students and to train competent graduates. At the same time, it has perhaps the most important responsibility to transform students into active individuals who are aware of the steps they need to take in line with sustainable development goals, who have the power to transform the society and are ready to take responsibility. However, the responsibility area of ​​universities does not end here either. The society that struggles with inequalities, needs support and wants to improve itself has a great responsibility towards all segments. At this point, the importance and difference of Times Higher Education Impact Rank emerges. The ranking of impact is a very valuable ranking in which respected universities strive to take place in terms of evaluating the quality and opportunities of education that universities provide to their students, as well as the support they give to the sustainable development of societies in the national and international arena.”
 
“THE MOST IMPORTANT POWER AGAINST POVERTY AND INEQUALITY”
 
IGU Sustainable Environment and Community Center Manager Selçuk, who stated that education is the primary reason for the existence of higher education institutions, so the competition in this area is also very high, said: “Quality education is one of the most important areas in the ranking, as it is one of the most important tools of sustainable development policy and is also critical to the realization of other sustainable development goals. Inclusive and equitable quality education is a fundamental human right for every member of society. An educated society is the most important force against poverty and inequality as it represents an entrepreneurial, innovative, productive workforce that is open to technological developments. At the same time, education is the basis for ensuring gender equality, supporting healthy life awareness, preventing violence, and building a culture of tolerance and peaceful, stable and prosperous societies. The field of quality education in the impact list evaluates the inclusive and equitable education opportunities offered by universities to their students and society, and the responsibility undertaken by universities within the scope of realizing the philosophy of lifelong learning. In this context, it is very valuable to see that IGU has an important place among the respected world universities, both in terms of showing that we are on the right track and the extent of our support to the sustainable development of the society.”
 
Emphasizing that they produce projects in the local, regional, national and international arena with the participation of students under the guidance of the road map prepared by the Presidency in line with the 2030 goals, Selçuk listed the priority targets in this field as follows:
“To establish safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments,
To prevent gender inequalities in education and to support equal access of all vulnerable groups to education at all levels,
To increase the number of young people and adults with these skills by focusing on critical skills for sustainable employment,
Supporting girls, women, the poor, the disabled, immigrants and other groups to access inclusive and equitable quality education,
To support all segments of the society with the knowledge and skills required to support sustainable development in the fields of sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, peace and nonviolent culture, world citizenship, and cultural diversity.”