DATE

28 May 2025

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Research-Oriented University Models in Higher Education

The webinar series “Research-Oriented University Models in Higher Education” brings together leading scholars, practitioners, and policy experts to explore the structures, strategies, and innovations that define research-focused institutions worldwide. As higher education landscapes continue to evolve under the pressures of globalization, technological advancement, and societal demand for knowledge production, research-oriented universities play a critical role in shaping academic excellence, driving innovation, and contributing to economic and social development. This series aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of diverse models, best practices, and emerging trends, fostering dialogue regarding how institutions can strengthen their research missions while responding to local and global challenges.

Professor M. Sondan Durukanoğlu Feyiz, Trabzon in 1963, has served as the rector of Kadir Has University (KHAS) in Istanbul since 2018. A distinguished physicist, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Istanbul University (1989), followed by a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1992), and a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics from Kansas State University (1999). Her academic career spans prestigious institutions, including Istanbul Technical University (ITU), where she became an associate professor in 2006, and Sabancı University, where she played the role of Vice President overseeing education and international relations (2011–2018). She was a visiting associate professor at MIT (2007–2009) and contributed to research at the Feza Gürsey Institute. Her research focuses on nanoscale materials, including the mechanical, thermodynamic, and electronic properties of metal nanowires and surface-molecule interactions. Recognized for her scholarly impact, she received the Turkish Physical Association’s Honor Award (2019) and the TÜBA Coursebook Translation Award (2010), and was the sole female recipient of Turkey’s Ministry of Education physics scholarship in 1991. As a rector, she championed innovative education models at KHAS, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning and global readiness, while continuing to review physics journals and advise TUBITAK research projects.

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DATE

25 June 2025

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Distance and Hybrid Education Models: How Can We Maintain Quality?

The webinar series “Distance and Hybrid Education Models: How Can We Maintain Quality?” addressed one of the most pressing questions in contemporary higher education: ensuring academic rigor and student engagement in flexible learning environments. As institutions worldwide increasingly adopt distance and hybrid models to meet diverse learner needs and adapt to changing circumstances, maintaining high standards of teaching, assessment, and support services has become both a challenge and priority. Through expert insights, case studies, and critical discussions, this series aims to explore effective strategies, quality assurance frameworks, and innovative practices that can help institutions deliver meaningful and high-quality educational experiences across various modalities.

Professor Mustafa Caner is in the Department of English Language Teacher Education at Akdeniz University, Türkiye, and specializes in technology-enhanced language learning, teacher education, and open/distance education. With a doctorate from Anadolu University (2009) focused on blended learning models for English teacher training, he has contributed extensively to research on integrating digital tools, such as blogs, podcasts, and mobile learning, into language education. His work demonstrates that blog-supported writing courses significantly improve EFL learners’ skills and engagement, while podcasting studies highlight its effectiveness in enhancing pronunciation and metacognitive strategies. He has authored over 20 publications in SSCI-indexed journals, including Psychology in the Schools and Thinking Skills and Creativity, exploring themes such as technology integration self-efficacy among pre-service teachers and communicative teaching practices. His teaching spans postgraduate courses like "Technology and Language Teaching" and undergraduate modules on translation and reading strategies, alongside supervising theses on topics ranging from e-readiness in classrooms to L2 motivational systems 5. Recognized for bridging theoretical and practical insights, he advocates innovative, research-informed approaches in EFL education, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in Türkiye’s academic landscape.

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DATE

30 Jull 2025

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Understanding Knowledge, Curriculum and Student Agency

The webinar series “Understanding Knowledge, Curriculum, and Student Agency” invites educators, researchers, and policymakers to engage with fundamental questions about the purpose and design of education in the 21st century. As the boundaries of knowledge continually expand and diversify, curriculum development must not only transmit information but also empower students as active agents in their own learning journeys. This series explored how conceptions of knowledge shape educational practices, how curricula can be reimagined to foster critical thinking and creativity, and how enhancing student agency can lead to more meaningful and transformative educational experiences.

Professor Paul Ashwin is a distinguished academic and Professor of Higher Education at Lancaster University, where he also serves as the Head of the Department of Educational Research. His research focuses on the role of higher education, particularly how curricula and policies shape teaching, learning, and student experiences, with an emphasis on the transformative potential of academic knowledge over economic metrics. A leading advocate for reorienting universities toward educational purposes, he authored Transforming University Education: A Manifesto (2020), which argues for curricula that foster students' intellectual and societal transformation. He co-authored influential works such as Reflective Teaching in Higher Education (2015, 2020) and edited collections such as Locating Social Justice in Higher Education Research (2020), cementing his role in advancing research-informed pedagogy. As the Deputy Director of the ESRC-funded Centre for Global Higher Education (CGHE), he led international projects examining graduate employability and knowledge outcomes in England, South Africa, and the U.S., highlighting the enduring value of disciplinary expertise. His editorial leadership includes coordinating the journal Higher Education and co-editing the Bloomsbury book series Understanding Student Experiences of Higher Education, further solidifying his impact on the global higher education discourse. Prior to Lancaster, he contributed to educational research at the University of Oxford and Newham College by blending practical and theoretical insights into institutional and policy frameworks.

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DATE

27 August 2025

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Developing Effective Academic Integrity Policies for Higher Education Institutions

The webinar series “Developing Effective Academic Integrity Policies for Higher Education Institutions” focuses on one of the core pillars of credible and sustainable education systems: the promotion and protection of academic honesty. As higher education faces new challenges in the digital era, including plagiarism, contract cheating, and evolving assessment practices, institutions must design clear, fair, and enforceable policies that uphold integrity, while supporting student learning and development. This series brings together experts, administrators, and educators to share best practices, case studies, and innovative approaches to building robust academic integrity frameworks that align with institutional values and global standards.

Professor Ahmet Su is an academic affiliated with the University of Toronto (Canada). He began his career as an EFL teacher before transitioning to higher education and served as a research assistant at Akdeniz University and Afyon Kocatepe University, where he contributed to organizing academic conferences and earned his MA and PhD 2. His scholarly focus spans higher education policy, cross-cultural comparative studies, educational leadership, and technology in education, with notable research on academic freedom in Türkiye, innovative school cultures, and faculty adaptation to distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic, co-authoring publications in journals such as the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education and contributing to Emerald Publishing’s Academic Freedom: International Perspectives. He is currently pursuing a second doctoral degree in Higher Education at the University of Toronto, while serving as a Research Coordinator at the Centre for the Study of Canadian and International Higher Education and Associate Editor for the Research in Educational Administration and Leadership journal. Previously, he was a visiting scholar at Mount Royal University and a post-doctoral researcher at Akdeniz University under Professor Engin Karadag, with whom he co-led studies on student satisfaction and institutional capacity in online learning. His advisory contributions extend to international boards, including Khazar University’s Advisory Board, reflecting his global engagement in shaping educational policies and practices.

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