The members of an academic committee from Boğaziçi University have met with the officials from prominent universities in Boston and Chicago from 17-24 September 2015 aiming to enhance The University’s international collaborations with these institutions. The members of the committee included Rector Prof. Dr. Gülay Barbarosoğlu, Provost Prof.Dr. Ali İzzet Tekcan, as well as Academic Affairs Coordinator Prof. Dr. Taner Bilgiç, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr Taylan Akdoğan and Global Outreach Coordinator Asu Nisa Kırdar.
At MIT with Dr. Kenan Şahin
The first meeting was held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with the participation of Boğaziçi University committee members, MIT President L. Rafael Reif and Associate Provost for International Activities Richard Lester as well as Dr. Kenan Şahin, who received his Honorary Doctorate from Boğaziçi University in June 2015. Dr. Şahin is also a life member of MIT Board of Trustees.
During the meeting, compatible student and faculty profiles as well as common research and collaboration areas related with possible solutions to dislocation based on worldwide political conflicts, climate change, earthquakes and nature/climate violence were evaluated.
Emphasis on Basic Sciences by Barbarosoğlu
MIT meetings proceeded with Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart, Vice President for Research Maria T.Zuber, and Dean of School of Humanities,Arts and Social Sciences Melissa Nobles.
The meeting with VP Zuber focused on earth sciences, earthquake, climate and environmental issues.
Rector, Gülay Barbarosoğlu pointed out that investing in basic science is crucial and grants can be applied jointly for developing research projects which will focus on changing everyday life. In this context, Collaboration through establishing incubation centers and technology zones with an emphasis on intellectual property rights will be beneficial for all parties involved. Another focal point was Boğaziçi University’s important role as a bridge between cultures and continents.
Dean of School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Melissa Nobles elaborated on the importance of collaboration in the areas of Political Science, Global Studies and Languages program, History, Sociology, Linguistics and Economics. Openness, objectivity, and freedom are necessary especially in the studies dealing with identifying the causes and effects of migration.
During the meetings with Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart and Dean of Digital Learning Sanjay Sarma, possibilities of joint course developments for online and interactive courses were discussed.
Meeting with Lester Richmond and Bernd Widdig, Directors of International Affairs, focused on internship opportunities and possibilities of joint summer school projects.
Collaboration with Harvard on Lifelong Learning and joint summer school programs
At Harvard University, the committee met with Huntington Lambert, Dean of Harvard Extension School. During the meeting, possible collaborations with BU’s Lifelong Learning Center programs as well as joint summer school and professional development programs were discussed.
Boğaziçi as a regional partner
BU Committee’s meetings in The US proceeded with a visit to The University of Chicago. The committee was greeted by President Robert J. Zimmer, Provost Eric D. Isaacs and Vice President for Global Engagement Ian H. Solomon.
Social Sciences and Humanities, Life Sciences were among the prominent areas of possible collaboration between the institutions. Rector Gülay Barbarosoğlu emphasized on the importance of Boğaziçi University as a regional partner in the research projects related with climate change, life sciences, energy and geophysical sciences.
Next, the committee met with Devora Grynspan, Director of International Program Development and Assistant to the President for Global Initiatives and Dr. Ayça Alemdaroğlu, Director of Keymen Center for Turkish Studies at The Northwestern University to evaluate the new programs intended for instructors and students.
During the meeting with Chicago based IES Abroad, the possibility of including Boğaziçi University students in IES Abroad’s global internship programs were discussed.
The committee’s visit also covered two alumni meetings with close to 100 Boğaziçi University graduates who are studying, living and pursuing their professional careers in The US. Rector Gülay Barbarosoğlu and the BU Committee members have met with the BU graduates residing in Boston on September 19th and in Chicago on September 23rd.