Suleyman Demirel University

Suleyman Demirel University (SDU) is a state university located in Isparta, Turkey. SDU was founded in 1992. The university, with around 90 000 students, is the second largest academic institution in Turkey. SDU is known for its programs in teaching and learning, agricultural research, medicine, engineering, and business sciences. SDU ranks 10th in Turkey in the 2014-2015 URAP ranking. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranks SDU 14th in the Best Global Universities in Turkey rankings. The QS World University Rankings recognized SDU as one of the top universities in Turkey. The academic structure of SDU contains 14 faculties, 4 vocational high schools,2 higher schools, and 6 graduate schools and 48 research and application centres. SDU is one of the largest universities in Turkey.

SDU has drawn a reference university profile and leaded among other young universities with its strong ambience, the structure of its rich life area, cultural and sport facilities. SDU is one of the largest scale universities in Turkey with its spatial seniority of social life areas and functions by 69 student clubs, sport halls, information center, and library.

Süleyman Demirel University Education Faculty was established on January 29, 2010. The general aim of Education Faculty: Graduates will be trained as individuals with teacher competencies in accordance with scientific and technological developments, equipped with the knowledge, skills, methods and techniques related to the field of study and teaching profession. Our graduates who are equipped with superior teaching knowledge and skills can be assigned to administrative or even teaching positions within the Ministry of National Education or private education institutions.

The mission of Faculty of Education is to prepare pre-service teacher candidates with a good education. Faculty of Education’s vision is a body of knowledge which combines theory and practice that integrates science, technology, and pedagogy.
Focus on teacher education:
Prepare highly qualified educators to meet the needs of changing society
Prepare students to use and apply knowledge in teaching and learning
Produce science and technology at international level through research and projects
Resolves problems of education in response to the needs of the society.

At SDU, more than 588 nationally funded research projects are still ongoing and there are 758 completed projects up to know. In addition, 30 projects are funded national research institution authority of Turkey. There are many Socrates/Erasmus bilateral agreements from different part of EU. Recently, one of our projects is funded by EU to create new type of qualifications for unemployed where training based on ICT and played a major role.
Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences / The Computer and Instructional Technologies program is experienced in planning and implementing European and National Projects. Department of Educational Sciences / The Computer and Instructional Technologies program provides services within a framework of sustainable development of the addresses such as:

1. Development of new educational approach modules for teacher training
2. Creation of training modules for social workers, trainers and supervisory staff,
3.Certification of teachers’ digital competencies
4. Establishment of e-database through the collection of documents on EU education, training and employment strategies for vocational training policy makers,
4. Coaching and pilot training for fifty young people on European operational and multidisciplinary training program to promote young workers for social and labor market.
Furthermore, C&ITE provides:
1. Non-formal training courses
2. Sports education and training
3. Consultations on ICT projects
4. Technical DIY workshops
5. Social inclusion activities of the youth groups
6. Academic researches to improve and to exchange new pedagogic experiences.
7. Training migrants
The Faculty of Education has 10 years of experience of EU projects exchanges and activities in every filed. It organises workshops and training courses a year and International conferences.
The Faculty of Education works in every field of education, from ITC to in-service training courses for teachers, from Kindergartens sectors to adult education in prison and in rural areas. It works also against social exclusion, xenophobia and racism, helping to break stereotypes around gender among different cultures and religions, training students and for a second chance for drop outs, in intercultural learning and youth workers’, vocational training field.

Furthermore, Department of Educational Sciences / The Computer and Instructional Technologies program has experiences on developing:
• Mobile learning apps, Gamification, Educational game development (Unreal Engine, 3D Unity)
• 3D modelling, Augmented Reality development, Virtual Reality development,
• 3D printing,
• Animation and Simulation development,
• Learning analytics and artificial intelligent applications.