At the “Internationalization Strategy Workshop,” where the roadmap for strengthening the İlim Yayma Awards at the international level was discussed, the vision, scope, application processes, stakeholder structure, and international promotion strategies of the award program were comprehensively evaluated.
The program, held at the Marriott Hotel Istanbul, was attended by President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar; representing our University, İZU Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Küçük; President of the İlim Yayma Society Yusuf Tülün; Chairman of the İlim Yayma Awards Commission Prof. Dr. İdris Sarısoy; General Manager of the İlim Yayma Foundation İdris Tankut Küsmezer; as well as rectors and academics from various universities across Türkiye.
ÖZVAR: “INTERNATIONALIZATION IS A STRATEGIC STEP FOR THE İLİM YAYMA AWARDS”
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar highlighted the level the İlim Yayma Awards have reached and emphasized the strategic importance of the program’s internationalization goal. Underlining the contributions of the İlim Yayma Society and the İlim Yayma Foundation to higher education, Özvar stated:
“I believe that through this workshop, we will have the opportunity not only to discuss the future of an award program but also to deliberate on our country’s scholarly and civilizational heritage. Today, the İlim Yayma Awards have become one of the most prestigious award programs in our country and have attained significant value by making academic excellence visible. Science is not an activity that develops solely within national borders; it is also evaluated through international achievements. In this respect, awards serve as important windows through which countries present their science policies and academic visions to the world. At such a time, the internationalization goal of the İlim Yayma Awards is an extremely strategic step. What distinguishes institutions and award programs is the ideas, principles, and vision they represent.”
KÜÇÜK: “ATTRACTING ACADEMICS AND RESEARCHERS WHO PRODUCE BENEFICIAL KNOWLEDGE TO TÜRKİYE IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE”
Sharing his views during the workshop, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Küçük drew attention to issues of knowledge production and international academic mobility. Küçük stated:
“We set out with the aim of generating knowledge within the capacity available in our country. Areas such as international trade and international student mobility also constitute an important part of this process. Such initiatives are highly important for attracting academics and researchers who produce beneficial knowledge to our country and for bringing to Türkiye individuals who contribute to international knowledge production.”
ÇELİKBİLEK: “WE AIM TO MAKE THE AWARDS A RESPECTED GLOBAL BRAND”
Mustafa Fatih Çelikbilek, Secretary General of the İlim Yayma Foundation, shared his evaluations regarding the international objectives of the award program. In his speech, Çelikbilek stated:
“Our goal is to make the İlim Yayma Awards a respected brand not only within our country but also at the international and global level. In line with this objective, we aim to further develop and strengthen our award program through a collective wisdom approach by benefiting from the knowledge, experience, and guidance of our academics.”
TÜLÜN: “THE İLİM YAYMA AWARDS REPRESENT A VISION THAT CARRIES UNITY AND KNOWLEDGE TO THE WORLD”
President of the İlim Yayma Society Yusuf Tülün emphasized the objectives and significance of the award program. In his speech, Tülün stated:
“With the fifth edition of the İlim Yayma Awards, which we are preparing to organize, we aim to set aside all differences, demonstrate our unity and solidarity, and showcase this to the world. By making visible the contributions of Turkish scientists to science and humanity, we seek to strengthen this unity. We have identified internationalization as an important objective for the İlim Yayma Awards. God willing, with our fifth award program, we will introduce new initiatives and further mature this process. We continue our efforts to introduce our award-winning academics to the scientific community. We are moving forward by continuously strengthening a unique award program. We strive to do what befits us. Our academics are extremely valuable to us. These efforts, carried out with the understanding that ‘a person is another person’s homeland,’ are the product of a human-centered approach to service. The İlim Yayma Awards represent a vision that places knowledge, science, and human values at the center on a scale that embraces the world.”
SARISOY: “WE ARE BUILDING THE FUTURE THROUGH COLLECTIVE WISDOM”
Chairman of the İlim Yayma Awards Commission Prof. Dr. İdris Sarısoy evaluated the current standing of the award program and emphasized that the process is carried out in collaboration with stakeholders. In his speech, Sarısoy stated:
“Our rectors and academics have made highly significant contributions to the İlim Yayma Awards attaining their current valuable, prestigious, and strong position in our country. By addressing both the establishment process and future planning within the framework of collective wisdom, we aim to build the future of the İlim Yayma Awards together. I believe that the outcomes of this workshop will make significant contributions to the İlim Yayma Awards.”
INTERNATIONALIZATION AND A NEW ROADMAP DISCUSSED FOR THE İLİM YAYMA AWARDS
Within the scope of the workshop, participants focused on the internationalization vision and core objectives of the İlim Yayma Awards, discussing the program’s international core ideology, key message, and how it should be positioned globally. Views were also exchanged regarding the geographical scope of the awards, candidate profiles, and exemplary award programs at the international level.
From a technical and implementation perspective, evaluations were conducted concerning the structure of award categories, the integration of national and international award systems, application and nomination processes, and the determination of award amounts. Participants offered various suggestions on how the international application model should be shaped.
Another major theme of the workshop was identity, stakeholder engagement, and promotional activities. In this context, discussions focused on whether the name “İlim Yayma Awards” should be retained, the locations where ceremonies would be held, the inclusion of national and international stakeholders in the process, and strategies for promoting the awards on a global scale.
The views and recommendations generated at the conclusion of the workshop are expected to contribute to strategic planning efforts aimed at enhancing the visibility and impact of the İlim Yayma Awards in the international arena.