Izmir University of Economics Creative Economy Research and Application Center (IUE+KREA) has prepared a project called ‘2K: Creative Campus’ for Izmir Ozel Turk Koleji (ITK), one of the most established schools in the city. The project, which aims to improve the creative aspects and technological skills of high school students and to accelerate their learning processes by benefiting from the metaverse environment, was entitled to receive funding (275 thousand lira) from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. CBN, Imaginarium XR from the United States of America (USA), Aegean Young Businessmen Association (EGIAD) and Gözlüklü Masallar Atölyesi will also support the works to be carried out within the scope of the project, which is aimed to be an exemplary model for Turkey.

Comprehensive planning including a 1-year road map was made in the '2K: Creative Campus' project, which is one of the best examples of university-city integration and was prepared with the slogan of ‘The Future Belongs to Youth’.  Accordingly, a 'Creative Economy Student Club' will be established within the body of Izmir Ozel Turk Koleji in the first place and 20 students to be selected will actively participate in the studies.

TRAININGS WILL BE CONDUCTED, COMPETITIONS WILL BE HELD

Young people will be trained on the latest technological developments and creativity, and the ‘Creative Young Entrepreneurship Competition’ will be held across Turkey. Studies will be carried out to increase awareness and knowledge of both young people and teachers about metaverse. It will contribute to the raising of digital creative generations who benefit from the metaverse environment, thus having an effective learning process and able to reproduce information in this field.

The opening meeting for the project was held as hybrid at Izmir Ozel Turk Koleji Uşakizade Köşkü building. IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar, ITK Chairman of the Board of Directors Oğuz Tatış, EGIAD President Alp Avni Yelkenbiçer, IUE Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Levent Eren, Director of IUE+KREA Dr. Sevay İpek Aydın, and representatives of Gözlüklü Masallar Atölyesi and other relevant institutions attended the meeting.

A VERY VALUABLE STEP FOR STUDENTS

Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar stated that they are happy to realize such an important project that will reveal the creative aspects of young people and enable them to develop themselves by using science and technology as a guide. Prof. Dr. Aşkar said, “Izmir Ozel Turk Koleji is one of the leading most equipped schools in our city. Many ITK graduates are currently studying at our university. We are happy to add a new one to the collaborations we have made with ITK so far. Creative economy, creative industry and metaverse are concepts that have begun to enter the center of our lives and express the necessities and indispensables of the age. Considering that knowledge is constantly changing and competition based on knowledge and innovation is increasing day by day, we see that every step we take in the field of technology and creativity is very valuable for young people. I congratulate everyone who contributed to the project, and I wholeheartedly believe that exemplary studies will be carried out throughout Turkey.”

OUR PROJECT EXCEEDED THE BORDERS

Director of IUE+KREA Dr. Sevay İpek Aydın stated that they have initiated an important project to increase the digital competence of young people. Dr. Sevay İpek Aydın said, “Our project has 4 very valuable partners, 2 of which are international. It was a project whose foundations were laid in the University, and its development process spread beyond our country. We attach great importance to every work we will do within the scope of the project. We continue our preparations for the training of both teachers and students. We have created a valuable project that will impact students, make them stand out among their peers, and enable them to look to the future with more confidence. We will see the positive reflections of this very clearly in the coming period."