As part of the Forum on Contemporary Approaches to Vocational Education, Balıkesir University hosted a workshop focusing on entrepreneurship, digital transformation, university–industry collaboration, and sustainability. Bringing together academics, industry representatives, non-governmental organizations, and public institutions, the workshop provided a platform to evaluate the current needs of vocational education and discuss strategic directions for its future.
The Entrepreneurship Session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Pelin Vardarlıer from the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Balıkesir University. Industry representative Ertuğrul Savaş from Savaşlar Soğutma, along with NGO representatives Oya Hansu Çolak from BAİKAD, Mert Kurşun from BAGİAD, and Esra Karabuğa from the South Marmara Development Agency, contributed to the discussions. Participants examined the differences between educational practices and industry expectations within the entrepreneurship ecosystem, as well as the challenges encountered in bridging these gaps.
The Digital Transformation Session, moderated by Prof. Dr. Ayhan İstanbullu from the Faculty of Engineering, featured contributions from İpek Nur Keser, Batuhan Demirer, and Muhammed Avad of Argeline Technical Training Equipment, Gür Gürelli from Best Transformer, Ersan Yıldız from Derin Agency, and Levent Karan representing BAYSİD. Discussions focused on the relationship between the digital transformation level of vocational education institutions and the needs of industry, while also exploring coordination models that could strengthen cooperation among the public sector, universities, and industry.
The University–Industry Collaboration Session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Murat Erhan Balcı from the Faculty of Engineering. Industry representatives İsa Çelik from Çelmak Makine, Akın Ünal, Director of the Balıkesir Organized Industrial Zone, and Altuğ Ekinil from İşbir Sentetik participated in the session. The discussions centered on strengthening collaboration between universities and industry through joint education models, enhancing internship and project-based learning opportunities, and developing new academic programs, curricula, and course content aligned with regional development goals.
The Sustainability Session, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pelin Palas Karaca, Director of Balıkesir University İvrindi Vocational School of Health Services, included insights from Ozan Özgür of Kula Yağ as the industry representative. Participants discussed how vocational education programs can be enhanced in line with environmental and social sustainability goals, how sustainability transformation in industry can be aligned with vocational education, and how incentive mechanisms for sustainability-oriented education can be designed.
The workshop concluded with a closing session attended by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Satıl, together with academics from various units of Balıkesir University. During the closing session, moderators presented the key findings and recommendations developed under the four thematic areas. These recommendations will be compiled into a comprehensive report intended to contribute to vocational education policies and future collaborative initiatives. The proposals developed jointly by representatives from universities, public institutions, industry, and civil society are expected to enhance the quality of vocational education and support the development of educational models that respond more effectively to the evolving needs of the labor market.
Workshop Working Groups
1. Entrepreneurship Working Group
Prof. Dr. Pelin Vardarlıer, Lecturer Esra Yorulmaz, Prof. Dr. Hasan Hüseyin Şahan, Prof. Dr. Kudret Gül, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pınar Erkal, Assist. Prof. Dr. İsmail Atabay, Lecturer Burcu Aydemir, Oya Hansu Çolak, Mert Kurşun, Esra Karabuğa, Ertuğrul Savaş.
2. Digital Transformation Working Group
Prof. Dr. Ayhan İstanbullu, Lecturer Metin Gül, Prof. Dr. Selami Selvi, Assist. Prof. Dr. Bihter Şahin, Prof. Dr. Metin Demirtaş, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Güneş, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ersin Akyüz, Levent Karan, Gür Gürelli, Ersan Yıldız, İpek Nur Keser, Batuhan Demirer, Muhammed Avad, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülenay Alevay Kılıç.
3. Sustainability Working Group
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pelin Palas Karaca, Lecturer Derya Arslan, Prof. Dr. Şükrü Hakan Atalgın, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sefer Uçak, Assist. Prof. Dr. Sakin Vural Varlı, Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Farizoğlu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Çıtak, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuba Tezer, Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Can Tokmak, Ozan Özgür, Lecturer Dr. Mehtap Türkkan.
4. University–Industry Collaboration Working Group
Prof. Dr. Murat Erhan Balcı, Lecturer İlyas Güvenç Pirge, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Binali Kılıç, Prof. Dr. Sare Çelik, Mehmet Fatih Beyoğlu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alaaddin Toktaş, Assist. Prof. Dr. Aytekin Ulutaş, Akın Ünal, Altuğ Ekinil, İsa Çelik.
Other News
