UNIVER-SEA.NET• International Conference

UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION IN THE BLACK SEA AREA

• COMMON EDUCATIONAL VALUES

• Assist. Prof. Dr. Ganime Aydın• Project Coordinator of Istanbul Aydın University

The present project, entitled “UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION NETWORK AT

BLACK SEA-UNIVER-SEA.NET”, has been launched under the coordination of

Andrei Saguna University of Constanta, Romania. Istanbul Aydin University is

the IPA Financial Beneficiary of the project; its partners are: International

Black Sear University (Georgia), Academy of Public Administration under the

President of the Republic of Moldova, and Karabük University (Turkey). The

project is intended to cover a period of two years.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Primary Aim:

To offer a framework for the sharing of educational values and experiences between

partners in the member countries, through a common education program and network. Particular aims:

- To define common educational objectives for universities of partner countries

- To diffuse the educational model that will be set up through distance and face-to-face education.

- TO create regional identity via virtual means.

Aims of the Project

Activities of the project :

The realization of two workshops that will allow the partner universities to

share experience on educational systems and good practices in education

The publication of a white paper on good practices in joint education

programs

The preparation of a common course module.

The organization of two exchange programs that will cover the mobility of

twelve students

The creation of a social network for students and universities

Creation of a portal for the diffusion of the experiences.

After a short flight of 45 minutes from Istanbul, we reached the city of Constanta, a harbor city on the Black Sea Shore in Romania. Constanta is situated in Dobruja region, and it is the biggest harbor city in the Black Sea region.

CONSTANTA WORKSHOP11 September 2013

CONSTANTA/MAMAIA

The first day of the Constanta Workshop started with a tour of Andrei

Şaguna University and opening speeches.

Marian Zidaru (Andrei Şaguna University) presented a paper on the history of

Dobruja from Antiquity to Modern Era.

Oya ÖNALAN and Kerim TANIŞ (Karabük University) delivered a

presentation on Quality Assurance Activities and ECTS Applications at

Turkish Universities.

• Academics from partner countries within the

UNIVER-SEA.NET project shared examples of

good practices in education within the systems

of education in their respective countries.

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Ganime Aydin delivered a speech

on “Total Approach in the Quality Development

in Higher Education”.

Karabuk University delivered a presentation on the role of “Women in Science

and Education”.

The presentation about “University-industry cooperation at Istanbul Aydin University”.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem ÖZARI made

a presentation on “honor class”

experience at Istanbul Aydin

University, as an example of good

practices in eduction.

Student Workshop

The first topic analyzed within the student workshop was: “myths, customs,

traditions of the Black Sea Basin that have been transmitted throughout

generations”.

The second topic was ; Multicultural and intercultural. About stereotypes and

prejudice (moderators : Cristina Gelan, Alina Vasiliu and Elena Manea)

Through the dance show organized by the Romanian Black Sea Folkloric Dancers, we

noticed some common musics and figures as a result of common historical periods.

Andrei Şaguna University/Constanta

KARABUK UNIVERSITY WORKSHOP23 OCTOBER 2013

The second workshop of the UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION NETWORK AT BLACK

SEA-UNIVER-SEA.NET Project has been hosted by Karabük University, Turkey.

Karabük Student Workshop

Students’ note on the workshop;

Within this workshop, we had the opportunity to talk about common values of the

citizens of Turkey, Romania, Moldova, and Georgia. The first issue to be discussed

within this framework was the “language”, which is the area that primarily reflects

cultural structures. We gladly discovered the fact that the project partners, who

share the same region, also share similar words and concepts for naming similar

feelings. It was particularly interesting to notice that Romania and Georgia, who

share a common history, have a plenty of common words in their languages, as well

as similarities between the linguistic structures.

Students’ note;

We also had a discussion on the similarity of our traditions. We noticed that the

similarities between our traditions were unexpectedly high. For instance, despite the

fact that we had different religious beliefs, the patterns of religious marriage were

mainly similar. We also tackled the differences between marriage traditions. Another

topic of discussion was common and different costumes and dishes. Henceforth, we

had the opportunity to discover the fact that the same feelings were expressed in

different ways in various cultures. We think that the main point of this workshop was

to prove that multiculturalism was a reality of modernity, and that a peaceful life was

possible via the respect of differences and other cultures.

White paper of good practices within the

common educational programs

PROJECT PORTAL: univer-sea.net

• Joint Education Program

Module 1:Multiculturalism and Identity

Module 2: Intercultural Communication

Module 3: Conflict Resolution

Module 4: Social Entrepreneurship.

• Future activities

• Transmission of the joint course module to the virtual/digital

sphere.

• Enlargement of the project network with the integration of at

least 40 universities or institutes as new partners.

• Realization of student internships.

• Thank you very much for your listening ganime31@gmail.com