Note: The statistics belong to Monday, April 20 - 17.00.

İstanbul Kültür University (İKÜ) Head of the Board of Trustees Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver published a message about the IKU agenda, which has changed with the new Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).

“My Dear Kültür Family,

Due to the pandemic, we left the first month of our transition to distance learning and working as of yesterday. For all of us, it has been four weeks that we have worked hard to control uncertainty. Although there are some certain processes at various levels, when we look at the big picture, question marks still continue across the country and the world. We now have enough experience and knowledge to distinguish before and after COVID-19. A few days after when we officially announced that we will take a break from education as of March 16, we started working remotely. When I look back, I never remember that our campuses were so empty and quiet throughout our 22-year history as a university.

This, at the global leves, is a struggle at every level of life. On the other hand, this is an exam, an experience that we question ourselves, our priorities in life, our perspective, how we manage our time. Our new normals began to form, we opened a digital page in our lives; in our business processes, in our daily communications. Sometimes we were saying, “We were not meeting so often, we hadn’t had a meeting when we were at the university”… I must say that I agree most of the time. On the one hand, however, I feel that the dominant tone of the hierarchy gradually decreases as our interview frequency increases. The bureaucracy is a little more diluted. We can talk and share without bending the word that in times of crisis this is a great positive value. I wish the agility and positive habits that enter our lives with the new normal to be sustainable.

“My Dear Kültür Family,

In this period, especially the agenda of our academic staff is quite intense. On one hand, while providing the sustainability of distance education during the spring semester, on the other hand, you are working on different fronts such as new normally measuring and evaluating, make-up, applied courses. Your effort at every point is very valuable. However, on this occasion; I would like to underline some points about our priorities, especially measurement and evaluation.

Summer school, make up process etc. all applications are always a stressful factor for young people. However, due to the period we live in, young people are perhaps giving the toughest test of their lives. Efficiency in teaching is essential in this sense. I request that you consider maximum communication and empathy in the measurement and evaluation in order to support your precious labor and to support our youth during this period.

However, another point I would like to touch on is the events we have to postpone when the pandemic enters our lives with all its seriousness. Every event held in the field of science, culture and art within the university is very valuable. In the new normal, the time and place of our events have also changed. At this point, I see that we have closed the gap in the first weeks of the pandemic with a great effort in the past month. We have brought not only our education and business processes, but also our activities to digital environment with almost the same scope and richness. Every work done at this point is admirable under the conditions of the day. In this context, I would like to say that I found our webinars extremely valuable in terms of content, and I would like to thank all our friends who contributed. I would like to state that we are always open to all suggestions and new ideas from our administrative units as well as our academic staff for the organization of digital events.

 Hope to see you in health and happiness after the days we will leave behind in solidarity.

Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver

Head of the Board of Trustees

The article of YÖK(Council of Higher Education) President Prof. Dr. Yekta Saraç, about the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues, was published in University World News, which is closely followed by the world academy community.

“The Trend of Digital Education Has Begun”

Saraç said in his article that digital education has started an intense trend. Saraç explained that how the pandemic affects universities is examined by YÖK's International Relations Office.

“Currently, this department reviews and reports road maps of countries, official authorities and successful universities in Europe, America and the Far East. This preparation, many of the universities in Turkey compared to many universities in many European countries and the United States faster decision-making and helped to make arrangements to clear applications. Transition to online education has been initiated. "Online education commissions" consisting of online educators, education technology experts, computer and software experts were established in YÖK. This commission created a road map. In addition, this commission also provides support to academics in solving their problems. 'YÖK Courses Platform' (yokdersleri.yok.gov.tr) was created. To universities that need digital course material through this platform; Open course resources such as books, lecture notes, videos were presented. Currently, Turkey's leading universities has 4 to 2 thousand on this platform of open course materials. Anyone can download these materials.

“Academic Calendar is Prepared”

It has been decided that universities can use distance learning methods synchronously or asynchronously in all courses in formal education programs, provided that they are limited to the spring semester of 2019-2020 academic year. Universities, deans, and academics are planned to prepare theoretical courses in programs at all levels, through distance learning, and to intensify academic calendars for applied courses in August and September. It was suggested to universities that the issues related to the exams and the evaluation of student success should be carried out by the competent boards of higher education institutions in accordance with the principles determined in terms of legal control. It was decided that proficiency exams in postgraduate programs, meetings of thesis monitoring committees and thesis defenses can be held in digital environment provided that the necessary infrastructure is established and the condition of the exam process is recorded and provided to be inspected.

“Distance Education Works Well”

Our students who live in our lesser regions may experience some problems due to the lack of internet problems and facilities, but regional municipalities and authorities can provide solutions to these problems. In general, we can say that our distance education system works well. Although our campuses are physically closed, we are in communication with academics and students via distance education. As YÖK, we also strive to find more innovative solutions for distance education with our university rectors, Executive Board Members and commissions. We also strive to find innovative and more effective solutions. Of course, we are all dreaming of going back to face-to-face training in our classrooms. ”

There is much more to learn about the new Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and research continues. Based on what is currently known about COVID-19, the spread of this virus from person to person occurs most often through close contact. Recent studies show that infected people without symptoms also play a role in the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that social distance should be at least 3 feet, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about 6 feet. One foot is 30.48 cm long. This is approximately 1 to 2 meters.

COVID-19 contamination is seen more frequently through respiratory droplets rather than fomites (contomized surfaces, clothing, etc.). Although there is not enough evidence that the virus passes through contaminated surfaces to people, studies show that coronaviruses can persist on the surfaces for a few hours or a few days. This can vary under different conditions (eg surface type, ambient temperature or humidity). Cleaning and subsequent disinfection of surfaces suspected of being dirty can be a good measure to prevent COVID-19 and other viral respiratory diseases. Things to do for prevent yourself from COVID-19:

Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Department organized an e-seminar titled “Furniture in Detail - Furniture in Details” with the participation of expert guests who have signed many projects in the country and abroad within the scope of the course “IAD4033 Interior & Furniture” given by Lecturer Merve Aşçıoğlu on Friday, April 17 at 13:00. CKMY Architects Co-founders Mert Yılmaz and Can Kendir and Mobal Furniture General Manager Yiğit Toksoy shared their experience and knowledge and inspired students.

In cooperation with Istanbul Kultur University Vocational School, IKU HR Club and Culture Point, on Friday, April 17, "HR Talks 2: What is waiting for us in the HR Processes that will be digitized after CV Preparation and Online Processes - COVID-19?" An e-seminar titled was held. In the event, where DEFACTO Human Resources Business Partner Sena Mertel was a speaker, our students were informed about the HR processes before COVID-19 and the processes planned to take place after COVID-19. In addition, effective CV preparation details were shared with our students. Answering the questions at the end of the conference, Mertel completed the seminar by stating that she can always assist our students in preparing CV and carrying out online processes.

Definite cases: Turkey (86,306), World (2,420,439)

Death:             Turkey (2017), World (166,235)

WHO Risk Assessment: Global level - Very High