SDG 4.2 Proportion of graduates with teaching qualification
SDG 4.2.1 Proportion of graduates with relevant qualification for teaching
SDG 4.3 Lifelong learning measures
SDG 4.3.1 Public resources (lifelong learning)
Istanbul Okan University provides free access to educational resources for individuals who are not enrolled at the University. These resources include participation in events such as seminars and workshops, as well as opportunities to attend selected courses. By offering these learning opportunities to a broader community, the University aims to promote lifelong learning and contribute to the educational development of individuals beyond its own student body.
OKSEM, an extension of Istanbul Okan University, is a dedicated unit that offers a wide range of training and professional development programmes for individuals and organisations. The mission of OKSEM is to promote lifelong learning by providing accessible courses, workshops, and certificate programmes to both students and the wider community.
The centre aims to support skill development, career advancement, and the educational needs of various sectors. OKSEM’s programmes cover a broad spectrum of topics including leadership, management, language learning, technology, and vocational training. These courses are designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills, individuals pursuing new career paths, and organisations looking for customised training solutions.
By collaborating with industry experts and utilising the University’s academic resources, OKSEM seeks to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills, contributing to the personal and professional growth of its participants. Through its wide range of educational programmes, OKSEM extends the University’s impact beyond its campus, making a significant contribution to community engagement and development.
The Istanbul Okan University First Aid Training Center (OKİEM) completed its inspections in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s First Aid Regulation and received authorization to begin training on 6 January 2013.
The training sessions at the Istanbul Okan University First Aid Training Center are conducted by experienced instructors who hold an official “First Aid Instructor Certificate.” The objective of the Center is to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills required for first aid, and to train certified first responders who can approach emergency situations (such as accidents) in an informed and responsible manner.
The Ministry of Health–approved Basic First Aid Training consists of 16 hours of instruction, delivered over two days (8 hours per day).
The Ministry of Health–approved Basic First Aid Refresher Training is designed for individuals who already hold a first aid certificate and need to update their knowledge before the expiration date of their credential. This training is delivered over one day and consists of 8 hours.
Trainings are conducted with groups of at least seven participants. One instructor is assigned for groups of up to seven people, and two instructors are assigned for larger groups.
Each participant is provided with the Basic First Aid Practices Training Book, officially approved by the Ministry of Health.
The training programme includes both theoretical instruction and practical application.
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The Istanbul Okan University Confucius Institute was established through an agreement signed between the International Chinese Language Council (HANBAN) and Istanbul Okan University in Beijing on 18 June 2012, and was officially founded on 14 May 2013 in cooperation with Istanbul Okan University, Beijing Language and Culture University, and HANBAN.
The Istanbul Okan University Confucius Institute is dedicated to introducing Chinese culture to the Turkish public. The Institute works collaboratively with the University’s Department of Chinese Translation and Interpreting, which provides comprehensive education in the Chinese language and culture, as well as with Okan College, where Chinese language instruction begins as early as first grade.
The Institute offers an extensive Chinese language education model through Chinese courses available to university students, university staff, and the general public, as well as through its affiliated Confucius Classrooms. To date, the total number of registered students at the Istanbul Okan University Confucius Institute has exceeded 600. In addition to language education, cultural promotion activities and calligraphy courses attract great interest. The Institute also supports Istanbul Okan University as an official test center for HSK, HSKK, and YCT exams, playing a major role in the promotion and organization of these examinations.
One of the primary objectives shared across all Confucius Institutes is the provision of Chinese language education. However, the Institute is not limited solely to language instruction. Through joint scientific research projects, the Turkish public gains opportunities to access more accurate and comprehensive information about Chinese society. This academic collaboration is reflected in the wider community, accelerating the process of cultural understanding and knowledge exchange between the two nations. Istanbul Okan University aims to conduct joint academic research projects with Chinese universities, and the Confucius Institute serves as a guide and facilitator in this process.
The Istanbul Okan University Confucius Institute also plays an active role in strengthening and enhancing cooperation between Türkiye and China in the fields of tourism and trade. The Institute serves as one of the gateways for the business world to engage with China.
Established in 2009 as Türkiye’s second Gastronomy Department, our department holds a significant place in the country’s gastronomy field with its world-class educational quality and the investments that support this training.
In 2013, the Gastronomy Department launched its certified training programmes at the Culinary Arts Center, located on the Tuzla Campus. The centre provides all necessary support and infrastructure for individuals who wish to pursue professional careers in the food and beverage industry as chefs, pastry chefs, artisan bakers, and similar professions.
Students who successfully complete their examinations during the training programme graduate with two qualifications: the Okan University Culinary Arts Center Professional Culinary Certificate, approved by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), and a certificate approved by the Ministry of National Education.
APICIUS International School of Hospitality, based in Florence, Italy, is one of the six schools under the Palazzi International Education group. Participants not only receive a certificate from Okan University in Türkiye but also demonstrate internationally recognised qualification through this partnership.
At the Culinary Arts Center, new-generation cooking techniques and traditional Turkish culinary methods are taught through collaborations with international universities, an expert academic staff, and world-renowned chefs from Türkiye and abroad.
Located on our University’s Tuzla Campus, the 1,400-square-metre Culinary Arts Center is Türkiye’s largest applied gastronomy training kitchen and is home to the O’Mutfak Restaurant.
The Okan Gastronomy Complex includes:
The complex also hosts corporate events. Special events, meetings, product launches, and workshops tailored for institutions, brands, or companies are organised at the centre.
Istanbul Okan Universty - Culinary Arts Center
Istanbul Okan University obtained its flight training authorization with the approval of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in March 2017 under the registration number TR.FTO.36. This authorization was renewed in May 2018 when the University became an Approved Training Organization (ATO), receiving the certificate number TR.ATO.020.
With this certification, Istanbul Okan University is authorized to provide PPL(A) Private Pilot Licence Theoretical Knowledge Training and ATP(A) Modular Theoretical Knowledge Training.
Theoretical knowledge classes are delivered at Okan University’s Tuzla Campus training facilities by experienced instructors who are certified by the DGCA.
Flight training, on the other hand, is conducted through a partner flight school by DGCA-authorized and experienced flight instructors. During these trainings, aircraft and simulators operated and aintained by the partner flight school are used.
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Approved Training Organization (Flight Training) (OEO)
Today, the rapidly developing commercial relations between Türkiye and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), particularly the Russian Federation, where Russian is the official language, hold a significant and strategic position in Türkiye’s international standing and economy. Viewing language education from a broad perspective, Istanbul Okan University established the first Russian Cultural Center in Istanbul in 2011 with the aim of providing an appropriate academic foundation for teaching Russian—widely used as a “language of communication” in sectors ranging from tourism and construction to natural gas imports and textile exports—and for strengthening cultural ties with Russia.
The Russian Cultural Center was founded with the support of the “Russkiy Mir Foundation,” a state institution of the Russian Federation. Its mission is to provide a scientific basis for the multidimensional relations developing between Russia, CIS countries, and Türkiye, and to contribute to the strengthening of cultural connections.
The Okan University Simulation Center, operating on an area of approximately 1,000 square meters, provides students with training through computer-assisted simulators that encompass all types of patients and clinical scenarios. The Center aims to enable students—who develop their fundamental knowledge and skills in a classroom and laboratory setting—to further build behavioral models, teamwork skills, and professional attitudes in hospital-like environments designed to replicate real-life stress and clinical responsibilities.
Every practice session and examination conducted by students for training and assessment purposes is organized, recorded, and evaluated through a high-technology operating system, ensuring reinforcement and long-term retention through debriefing applications.
Units within the Simulation Center:
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The Research and Application Centers within Istanbul Okan University are key structures that strengthen the University’s academic vision, prioritize societal benefit, and support interdisciplinary innovative studies. These centers serve as hubs of knowledge production and application for students, academics, and industry stakeholders alike.
Operating across a wide range of fields—including health, engineering, social sciences, entrepreneurship, technology, education, and culture—the centers promote scientific research, support project development processes, and enhance university–industry collaboration. Through the projects they develop and the training programs they offer, they conduct multifaceted activities that contribute to society at local, national, and international levels.
These centers also provide environments where students can put theoretical knowledge into practice, helping them develop professional competencies and prepare more effectively for sector-specific careers. They play a critical role in disseminating scientific research culture, advancing innovative solutions, and generating sustainable policy recommendations to address societal challenges.
The Okan Research and Application Centers constitute a strategic structure that enhances scientific output, strengthens societal impact, and elevates the University’s academic standing at both national and international levels.
Research and Application Centers
The Istanbul Okan University Directorate of Research and Project Development (ARPROGED) was established in 2011 with the primary aim of supporting the University in achieving lasting competitive advantages in the production of science and technology and facilitating the transfer of developed technologies to industry and society in line with emerging needs. ARPROGED also seeks to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among our academics, students, and alumni; promote intellectual property rights; support the commercialization of technology; and encourage the establishment of technology-based enterprises and start-ups.
ARPROGED received four years of support under TÜBİTAK’s 1601 Technology Transfer Offices Support Program.
BAP is the best option especially for those preparing a project proposal for the first time or for researchers who wish to conduct preliminary work before submitting a TÜBİTAK project application. In addition, considering the evaluation criteria while preparing your project proposal can increase the likelihood of the project being accepted.
OPINA is an open innovation platform designed to support innovative SMEs, start-ups, R&D companies/organizations, academics, and researchers in the development, prototyping, testing, and integration of connected and autonomous vehicle software.
The OPINA Project is funded jointly by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye under the EU Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) II, Priority 2: Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Actions, Sub-Priority 2.1: Research and Development. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Technology within the framework of the Competitive Sectors Program and is carried out by the Transportation Technologies and Intelligent Automotive Systems Research and Application Center (UTAS) under Istanbul Okan University.
The Innovative Technology Incubation Center (Intech-Cub) operates within Istanbul Okan University. It provides services at every stage of entrepreneurship—from technology-focused idea owners, including Istanbul Okan University academics and students, to start-ups seeking to scale their ventures.
Intech-Cub offers training, mentorship, and infrastructure support to help transform these ideas into commercially viable products.
Opportunities Provided by the Intech-Cub Incubation Center:
What is the TÜBİTAK 1812 – Investment-Based Entrepreneurship Support Program?
It is a grant fund that supports entrepreneurs throughout the entire process—from the idea stage to market entry—to help them transform their technology and innovation-oriented business ideas into enterprises with high added value and strong potential for qualified employment.
What is the total budget provided under the Seal of Excellence Support?
The maximum entrepreneurship project support is 900,000 TL. If the business plan is deemed eligible for support, the TÜBİTAK BİGG Fund will transfer this amount to the enterprise as an investment in exchange for 3% equity.
The primary objective of the University–Industry Collaboration Unit is to contribute to transforming the University's scientific potential into economic value by transferring it to industry, and to guide local companies toward R&D and innovation activities. The Unit also aims to establish a sustainable, trust-based cooperation between university academics and industrial stakeholders.
INTERNET SERVICES
In all three libraries located on our Tuzla Campus, there are 50 computers available for users to access the information they need via the Internet. In addition, wireless access is provided throughout every area of the library, allowing users to connect to the Internet from any point within the facility.
Our computers can be used comfortably by both faculty members and students. Internet access is entirely free of charge. The computers are provided exclusively for educational and academic research purposes.
CIRCULATION (LOAN) SERVICES
Istanbul Okan University students, academic staff, and administrative personnel may borrow books from the library. Users who do not hold a university ID are not eligible to use the borrowing service. Reference sources, periodicals, non-printed theses, rare manuscripts and printed works, items in the reserve and course materials section, and standards cannot be borrowed.
Members who have overdue books or outstanding fines are not allowed to borrow additional materials. All users, without exception, may borrow 2 books for a period of 15 days.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Service
Books that are not available in our library collection can be obtained from other university libraries within the framework of Interlibrary Loan (ILL) cooperation rules and made available to the academic staff.
SDG 4.3.2 Public events (lifelong learning)
Istanbul Okan University organizes events that are open to the general public, including public lectures, community education activities, and workshops. These events aim to engage a broad audience, encourage knowledge sharing, and promote a culture of learning and dialogue on a variety of topics. The University is committed to serving as a hub for education and community engagement.
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O’Conference Held on Our Tuzla Campus
In order to support prospective university students in shaping their future and planning the most suitable career path, Istanbul Okan University organized the “O’Conference,” an event we host across Türkiye. The conference took place on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at our Tuzla Campus. A total of 1,600 students from 33 institutions in Istanbul participated in the event.
During the opening speeches, our Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bekir Okan, and our Rector, Prof. Dr. Güliz Muğan, highlighted the distinctive aspects of our vision as “the university closest to the business world.”
Our Director of Prospective Student Relations, Alper Tunga Çakıcı, gave an inspiring talk offering guidance to young people on exams, future plans, career choices, and life decisions. Çakıcı emphasized, “Write your own story. The place where your story begins will be the university you choose.”
The event concluded with faculty and department presentations—where students had the opportunity to interact with academics—followed by a campus tour.
We Signed a Cooperation Protocol in Education
A Cooperation Protocol in Education was signed between our University and the Tuzla District Directorate of National Education. The protocol was signed by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Güliz Muğan, and the Tuzla District Director of National Education, Metin Çangır.
Within the scope of the protocol, and with the support of our Faculty of Education’s Special Education Department, it is aimed to provide awareness training for parents of children with special needs.
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SDG 4.3.3 Vocational training events (lifelong learning)
Istanbul Okan University organizes educational activities that are open to the general public, including executive training programs and professional development courses. These short-term courses are designed for individuals who are not enrolled at the University and aim to enhance professional skills, support career advancement, and provide practical training in various fields. By offering these programs, the University contributes to lifelong learning and professional development within the community.
Faculty Development Program for Training the Trainer
One of the most important components of quality indicators in higher education is enhancing the instructional competence of academic staff and understanding the needs of both faculty members and university students throughout the learning process. By analysing these needs, the Faculty Development Program for Training the Trainer, designed as a model that can serve as an example for all universities, was implemented at Istanbul Okan University as a year-long program to support faculty members in improving their teaching competence and gaining instructional leadership skills.
This Faculty Support Program was developed by Prof. Dr. Aytaç Göğüş, Dean of the Faculty of Education and expert in Instructional Design, Development, and Assessment. It is carried out under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Mithat Kıyak, Vice Rector and Chair of the University Quality Commission, with the support of all faculties.
Within the scope of the Faculty Development Program for Training the Trainer, the goal is to form a learning committee composed of instructors from different disciplines to enhance the quality of teaching and learning processes.
The core outcomes of the program include:
Who Can Participate and How Is the Program Conducted?
The program is conducted with a fixed group of volunteer instructors over one academic year, meeting twice a month for a total of 16 sessions. Additionally, all program sessions, materials, and resources are shared on the O’Learn learning platform, accessible to all participants.
During the 2020–2021 academic year, an initial needs analysis was conducted at the design stage of the program. This included a questionnaire completed by volunteer faculty members to assess their instructional competency needs, as well as group discussions and meetings with faculty deans and Quality Commission members. These analyses enabled the identification of needs by comparing existing conditions with desired goals.
The design, revision of program content based on the needs analysis, implementation, and post-implementation evaluation processes were led by Prof. Dr. Aytaç Göğüş. The program was implemented as a one-year initiative in the 2021–2022 academic year and reintroduced in subsequent years with different groups of participants.
Faculty members who actively participated in the majority of the program were awarded a certificate of completion. In future years, the program will continue with different groups of instructors, with the expectation that each faculty will nominate at least one volunteer “teaching leader” who will participate for one full year and lead the improvement of teaching environments within their faculty or department.
International Forum on Artificial Intelligence Applications in Education Held
The Ministry of National Education (MoNE) organized the “International Forum on Artificial Intelligence Applications in Education” to evaluate the processes related to the use of artificial intelligence in education and determine future national-level initiatives.
The forum, titled “Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem for Entrepreneurs and AI Solutions in Education”, was held on 22–23 May 2024 in Istanbul in collaboration with the MoNE Directorate General for Innovation and Educational Technologies (YEĞİTEK) and Teknopark Istanbul’s incubation center, Cube Incubation. Representing our University, Dr. Emel Koç, Director of the Learning Application and Research Center, attended the event.
The forum brought together academics, entrepreneurs, policymakers, teachers, sector representatives, and other stakeholders.
The goal of the forum is to enhance cooperation between public and private sector stakeholders in the field of artificial intelligence applications in education. Another objective is to establish incentive mechanisms that support entrepreneurs working in this area.
ARPROGED Project Information Training
The Faculty of Engineering at Istanbul Okan University provided valuable insights into research and project development processes through the ARPROGED Project Information Training organized for its academic staff.
The training session was held on 23 February 2024 at the Faculty of Engineering’s Ramazan Nejat Tuncay Conference Hall. Organized by the University’s Research Projects Development and Coordination Office (ARPROGED), the event offered faculty members detailed information on project application procedures, types of funding, evaluation criteria, and examples of successful projects.
We Held the 8th Foresight Workshop
The 8th Foresight Workshop was held between 18–20 October 2024 at Antalya Club Marco Polo, with the participation of our academic and administrative staff. Organized under the overarching theme of “Strategy Development,” the workshop brought together 270 Istanbul Okan University employees who engaged in group-based roundtable discussions to brainstorm ideas on the University’s internationalization strategies.
At the opening session, Ms. Işıl Okan Gülen, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees; Prof. Dr. Güliz Muğan, our Rector; and Dr. Lecturer Ercan Özgül, General Manager of Okan Healthcare Group, delivered speeches.
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Işıl Okan Gülen, emphasized that this project is the first of its kind among universities in Türkiye, stating:
“We are showcasing one of the best examples of teamwork here. I believe this is an extremely important initiative for the future of our University and one that will carry Istanbul Okan University even further.”
Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Güliz Muğan, also noted:
“We have made this workshop a tradition. This year, we are organizing it for the eighth time. The ideas contributed by our academic and administrative staff will support the growth of our University.”
The proposals developed by our staff during the Foresight Workshop will be compiled into a report and submitted to the University administration. The administration will evaluate these recommendations as guiding inputs for strategic decision-making.
SDG 4.3.4 Education outreach activities beyond campus
Istanbul Okan University places great importance on educational activities conducted beyond the campus as well. These initiatives include special lectures, demonstrations, and workshops held in local schools and communities. The University also supports student-led volunteer projects designed to promote knowledge sharing and learning outside the University. These efforts form part of the University’s commitment to contributing to the educational development of the broader community.
A Volunteering Initiative by Our Students
In collaboration with the Teachers Academy Foundation (ÖRAV), which organizes training programs, workshops, and seminars to support the professional development of teachers, students from our Faculty of Education — specifically the Preschool Teaching and English Language Teaching departments — participated in a volunteer project.
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Between 13 and 22 December 2023, our students took part in the promotional booths of ÖRAV at various locations.
As a result of their voluntary work, the teacher candidates received a certificate from ÖRAV, along with a letter confirming their participation in the volunteering activities, which they can include in their student portfolios.
SDG 4.3.5 Lifelong learning access policy
Istanbul Okan University follows a policy that ensures its activities are accessible to everyone, regardless of factors such as ethnicity, religion, disability status, immigration status, or gender. The University is committed to promoting inclusiveness and diversity and to ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities to participate in educational and community initiatives. This policy reflects the University’s dedication to creating an open and supportive environment for all.
Regulation of the Istanbul Okan University Continuing Education Center (OKSEM)
SDG 4.4 Proportion of first-generation students
SDG 4.4.1 The proportion of first-generation students starting a bachelor's degree (ISCED6) year 2024
