"Erasmus Coordinators' Info Day" of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) was held in the Conference Hall of Amisos Hotel.
The organization welcomed Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation in Turkey, his wife Marilena Berger and his team, Prof. Sait Bilgiç, Rector of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Vice Rector Prof. Mehmet Kuran, Prof. Rıdvan Kızılkaya, Head of the International Relations Unit, Emine Bol Yazıcı, Erasmus+ Coordinator of the Institution and numerous academicians.
Prof. Rıdvan Kızılkaya, Head of the International Relations Unit, delivered the opening speech, and he indicated that their projects would yield important profits. Prof. Rıdvan Kızılkaya stated: "today, we will inform you about different subjects such as the ways to prepare Erasmus projects and the precautions that should be taken during the preparation process of these projects, and we will obtain information, as well. I hope it will be a useful workshop. One of the main missions of the faculty members at our university is to carry out this kind of project preparations as well as educational activities. Through the projects we prepared, the Erasmus Office budget increased from 300,000 euros to 1 million 500 thousand euros. We have come a long way. I thank you all for your participation ".
Rector Prof. Sait Bilgiç stated that the event was a significant indicator showing the importance of Erasmus activities credited by the Erasmus Coordinatorship. He remarked: "Today, we will talk about the disputable issues since dear Ambassador who is the Representative of the European Union is together with us. Because Erasmus Program is an important activity ensuring international cooperations in the fields of education, youth, and sports".
Rector Bilgiç gave Information about the starting point and the progress of the Erasmus Program at OMU, and he continued: This program starting with 3 persons from our university in 2001 has been preferred by 1 700 persons up to now. This population mainly consists of the students and our employees. However, there are fewer students coming to our university through the Erasmus program. This figure has been recorded as only 500 people. We want our students and employees to go to other universities. Because these visits provide an increase in knowledge and experience and create an opportunity for cultural interaction. I believe that these partnerships and visits will provide new outcomes that will serve the good. "
Rector Bilgiç shared the data on OMU with the participants and the Ambassador and he stated: "5 000 out of approximately 57 000 students receiving education at our university are international students. The foreigners from 109 countries study at Ondokuz Mayıs University. Therefore, the environment that will provide these students with the necessary interaction is available at our University. We think that the students coming from European Union countries and through Erasmus + Program can benefit from this environment. We know that the foreign students have been satisfied at our university with its 18 faculties and good opportunities in the fields of education and research. We are in an effort to carry these opportunities even further with each passing day. "
Subsequent to the opening speech of Rector Bilgic, Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation in Turkey, made his presentation entitled "Erasmus +: New Opportunities for Living and Working in Europe". Ambassador Berger drew attention to the awareness on Erasmus+ program.
Emphasizing the importance of Erasmus, Ambassador Berger said: "there are more symbolic aspects of Europe apart from the Erasmus Program". These are UEFA, Eurovision song contest and rail system called Interrail. Turkey is doing its share by means of these activities. All these programs have one thing in common: attractiveness for the young population. Erasmus plus is one of the most successful programs implemented by the EU. Many Turkish students can go to Europe for educational purposes thanks to this program. At the same time, the students in Europe are coming to Turkey for education. I believe that the number of students participating in Erasmus should increase gradually. When we look at the scope of Erasmus, it is seen that this program has expanded to a wider range in terms of budget and project compared to the past".
The activity continued with the workshop projects of Erasmus+ Coordinator, Emine Bol Yazıcı, entitled "General Overview and Innovations in Erasmus", "New Erasmus Projects", "Strategic Partnerships", "Capacity Building in Higher Education", and "Youth Projects and Sports".
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