WELCOME Prof. Dr. Kadri Yamaç Rector Gazi University

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you on the occasion of the Valorisation Meeting of MODULARTE Project contracted by Gazi University.It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you on the occasion of the Valorisation Meeting of MODULARTE Project contracted by Gazi University.

As known, Bologna Process had a great impact on the educational systems of the European countries in the recent years.As known, Bologna Process had a great impact on the educational systems of the European countries in the recent years. Thus, almost all European countries started to change their national system of university education towards a common international comparable system, promoting European dimesion and cooperation in quality assurrance and establishing a system of credits.Thus, almost all European countries started to change their national system of university education towards a common international comparable system, promoting European dimesion and cooperation in quality assurrance and establishing a system of credits.

As well as that, lifelong learning, involvement of students and enhancing the attractiveness and effectiveness have been emphasized as the important elements of the European Higher Education Area.As well as that, lifelong learning, involvement of students and enhancing the attractiveness and effectiveness have been emphasized as the important elements of the European Higher Education Area.

Outlined Education-Training targets of Lisbon Strategy: Modernisation of the educational systems Increasing the quality of education and becoming the leader in the world Cooperation towards common targets Mutual confidence and recognition in Education

GU is very decisive and ambitious in fulfilling the requirements of the Bologna Process to which Turkey became a party in 2001.GU is very decisive and ambitious in fulfilling the requirements of the Bologna Process to which Turkey became a party in Quality improvement of educational programmes by continuous updating according to progresses in national/international higher education, economic developments, requirements of the country and business world, employability of graduates etc. is encouraged.Quality improvement of educational programmes by continuous updating according to progresses in national/international higher education, economic developments, requirements of the country and business world, employability of graduates etc. is encouraged.

Gazi University considers Bologna Process as an important opportunity for the continuous improvement of educational programmes in terms of degree structure and learning outcomes and as a value that will increase the employability and mobility of the graduates.Gazi University considers Bologna Process as an important opportunity for the continuous improvement of educational programmes in terms of degree structure and learning outcomes and as a value that will increase the employability and mobility of the graduates.

As the consequence of the internalisation policy; Gazi University is the member of European Universities Association (EUA) since 2005 and got the Institutional Evaluation of EUA in 2007.As the consequence of the internalisation policy; Gazi University is the member of European Universities Association (EUA) since 2005 and got the Institutional Evaluation of EUA in 2007.

Our university also very active and exhibits a great interest on EU Life Long Learning Programme since the involvement of Turkey into the Programme in 2004.Our university also very active and exhibits a great interest on EU Life Long Learning Programme since the involvement of Turkey into the Programme in EU Life Long Learning Programme is considered as very important source to provide the cooperation among European Institutions and Organisation in for improving the quality, recognition and transparency of education and training programmes.EU Life Long Learning Programme is considered as very important source to provide the cooperation among European Institutions and Organisation in for improving the quality, recognition and transparency of education and training programmes.

Gazi University had the first place among Turkish universities as regards to projects supported by LdV Programme since 2004.Gazi University had the first place among Turkish universities as regards to projects supported by LdV Programme since The amount of input from LdV projects to the university along that period has been around 4 million Euros.The amount of input from LdV projects to the university along that period has been around 4 million Euros.

As most of you know, the nucleus of Gazi University was established as a “teacher training institute” in 1926 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkish Republic.As most of you know, the nucleus of Gazi University was established as a “teacher training institute” in 1926 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkish Republic. Thus, “teacher training” is one of the traditional missions of our university.Thus, “teacher training” is one of the traditional missions of our university. Currently, at the national level, our university still continues to meet the teacher demand of Turkey with its 5 educational faculties.Currently, at the national level, our university still continues to meet the teacher demand of Turkey with its 5 educational faculties.

Nevertheless, the required level in terms of recognition, tranparency, comparability and easily readability have not been achieved in some teacher training programs.Nevertheless, the required level in terms of recognition, tranparency, comparability and easily readability have not been achieved in some teacher training programs. This issue has been stressed in the Institutional Evaluation Report of the European Universities Association (EUA).This issue has been stressed in the Institutional Evaluation Report of the European Universities Association (EUA).

Thus, enhancing the international cooperation and intesifying on re-structuring of the teacher training programmes basing on the quality assurrance and employability has been the specific concerns of our University in the recent years.Thus, enhancing the international cooperation and intesifying on re-structuring of the teacher training programmes basing on the quality assurrance and employability has been the specific concerns of our University in the recent years.

“New Approaches in Technology Training” project promoted by the Department of Industrial Technology Education is the first completed pilot project of Gazi University in EU Life Long Learning Programme.“New Approaches in Technology Training” project promoted by the Department of Industrial Technology Education is the first completed pilot project of Gazi University in EU Life Long Learning Programme. As well as that, we are proud of this project for being included in the Compendium of 50 successful projects of EU LdV Programme among 1710 projects.As well as that, we are proud of this project for being included in the Compendium of 50 successful projects of EU LdV Programme among 1710 projects.

I feel sure that, the results of this project will provide a European added value to the “Industrial Technology Education Programme” of Gazi University that is already comparable and readable in international level.I feel sure that, the results of this project will provide a European added value to the “Industrial Technology Education Programme” of Gazi University that is already comparable and readable in international level. Also, I sincerely hope that, the results of this project will lead towards common degree programmes in the field of technology education as a short term impact.Also, I sincerely hope that, the results of this project will lead towards common degree programmes in the field of technology education as a short term impact.

Another important point of this meeting for our University is that; for the first time an updated curriculum of an undergraduate programme will be subjected to peer review by international experts.Another important point of this meeting for our University is that; for the first time an updated curriculum of an undergraduate programme will be subjected to peer review by international experts. “International peer review of the new and updated curricula” has been stressed by the Evaluation team during the Institutional Evaluation of EUA in September.“International peer review of the new and updated curricula” has been stressed by the Evaluation team during the Institutional Evaluation of EUA in September. The updated curricula of the “Industrial Technology Education Programme” basing on the results of the Project will be reviewed by international experts on this field.The updated curricula of the “Industrial Technology Education Programme” basing on the results of the Project will be reviewed by international experts on this field.

I am very proud that concrete steps are taken towards the translation of the project results into action and implementation.I am very proud that concrete steps are taken towards the translation of the project results into action and implementation. I feel sure that, these concrete steps will encourage all related parties and national authorities in partner countries for the perfect dissemination and exploitation of the results.I feel sure that, these concrete steps will encourage all related parties and national authorities in partner countries for the perfect dissemination and exploitation of the results.

In consequence; I believe that, the project has fulfilled its mission and committments through its activities and outcomes for providing the frame in technology and design education basing on the current needs. Besides, it has made a considerable contribution to both European collaboration and to technology education.In consequence; I believe that, the project has fulfilled its mission and committments through its activities and outcomes for providing the frame in technology and design education basing on the current needs. Besides, it has made a considerable contribution to both European collaboration and to technology education. I sincerely congratulate the Project Steering Commitee for their high level of management, planning and achievements. As well as that, I appreciate the great contribution of the European and National experts on the project. It is actually a great success to obtain such a comprehensive study and products within two years period and with 7 partner countries.I sincerely congratulate the Project Steering Commitee for their high level of management, planning and achievements. As well as that, I appreciate the great contribution of the European and National experts on the project. It is actually a great success to obtain such a comprehensive study and products within two years period and with 7 partner countries.

Follow-up stage of the project is also extremely important. I sincerely hope that, all the partner countries will take an active role for the valorisation of the results and for determining the furher aspects of European collaboration to be established on this infrastructure. By this means, all labor, time and money spent for this issue will pay off with its added value.Follow-up stage of the project is also extremely important. I sincerely hope that, all the partner countries will take an active role for the valorisation of the results and for determining the furher aspects of European collaboration to be established on this infrastructure. By this means, all labor, time and money spent for this issue will pay off with its added value. All of us know that, quality is a process of continuous improvement.All of us know that, quality is a process of continuous improvement.

Today, we also take the opportunity to share the results of the project with the authorities of the Turkish Ministry of National Education.Today, we also take the opportunity to share the results of the project with the authorities of the Turkish Ministry of National Education. I believe that, we will establish a strong mutual collaboration towards sustainable quality assurrance in “technology and design education” and reflect the approaches of this project to our national education system.I believe that, we will establish a strong mutual collaboration towards sustainable quality assurrance in “technology and design education” and reflect the approaches of this project to our national education system.

I shall once again thank you for attending and hope the results will translate into action soon.I shall once again thank you for attending and hope the results will translate into action soon.