The power of sports and education united

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) and the Turkish Sailing Federation (TYF) have signed an exemplary collaboration that unites the power of sports and education. A protocol aimed at developing new projects for sailors and employees within the federation was signed by IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu and TYF President Özlem Akdurak.

As part of the three-year protocol, Izmir University of Economics and the Turkish Sailing Federation will develop projects centered on artificial intelligence and digital transformation to improve athletes’ performance and contribute to the advancement of sailing in Turkey. A joint work group will be formed to create a roadmap for the coming period.

IUE will provide scientific and academic support to TYF for organizing various events such as seminars and workshops with the participation of national sailors as well. While IUE will offer postgraduate education opportunities to federation employees, it will also organize numerous certification, micro-credential, and training programs. In return, the federation will prioritize IUE students for internship opportunities. 

ATHLETE STUDENTS ALSO ATTENDED

The signing ceremony for the protocol, which aims to initiate model projects that will spread from Izmir to all of Turkey, was hosted by IUE. In addition to Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu and TYF President Özlem Akdurak, attendees included TYF Board and Executive Committee Member Murat Şener, General Coordinator Fulya Tüfenkçioğlu, IUE Rector’s Advisors Prof. Dr. Evrim Üstünlüoğlu and Dr. Burçin Önder, Graduate School Director Prof. Dr. Mehmet Efe Biresselioğlu, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Neslihan Yetkiner, School of Foreign Languages Director Dr. Donald Staub, members of the IUE sailing team, faculty members, and administrative staff.

“WE ARE INSTILLING A MARITIME CULTURE IN YOUTH”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Abacıoğlu emphasized the importance they place on projects that will help Izmir make better use of the sea and instill maritime culture in young people. Noting the value of the collaboration with TYF, Prof. Dr. Abacıoğlu said, “Sailing is a noble and special sport. It’s valuable for our students to embrace the respectable, polite, and aesthetic culture of sailing. Being in nature, feeling nature, is an incredible sensation. Our University has recently achieved many successes in sailing. Most recently, our 8-member sailing team claimed first place in both the overall classification and the ORC A group at the 14th Jimmy Key Universail Sailing Races. We will continue motivating our students in sailing. Sports aren’t just about exercise or winning trophies. Being involved in sports, gaining that discipline, and transferring the energy and order of sports into daily life is very important. I believe we will achieve successful projects with TYF.”

“WE ATTRACTED GLOBAL ATTENTION IN THE YOUTH CLASS”

TYF President Özlem Akdurak pointed out their longstanding positive communication with Izmir University of Economics and said, “We are happy and excited to carry this good relationship with IUE into a new format. Izmir is a port city with a history dating back thousands of years. With its seasons, coasts, and climate, we are in a priceless geography for sailing athletes. After education and teaching, sports are the most important aspect for young people. Sailing holds a special place among sports. A child who starts sailing at the age of 7 learns to challenge nature and the sea. Though it seems like an individual sport, sailing involves a great deal of cooperation at sea. It teaches fairness, self-confidence, and struggling with nature like no other sport. Sailing is the kindergarten of a country’s dream of becoming a maritime nation. We have made significant progress in sailing recently. We’ve achieved medals and successes in youth classes that drew global attention. University-level sailing has been rapidly growing in our country for the past 5–6 years.”

“I SEE THIS PLACE AS MY HOME”

Akdurak continued as follows, “As a federation, we attach great importance to partnerships with universities. This protocol with IUE is a great example. We can collaborate with IUE on student cooperation and technological developments. IUE can guide us in artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Together, we can develop national and international projects to benefit our athletes and coaches. We can also work on European Union projects. This collaboration has many aspects that will enlighten us. I see Izmir University of Economics as my home. I believe that projects will soon take shape, and we will carry out impactful and fitting work together.”