Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Telling that the most foremost factor for development in every areas varying from social life, to culture, art and economy is education Faik Yavuz also underlined the fact that in the last 20 years even the economic theories had changed in that direction.  Stating that the main factor for enrichment is being consider as human capital namely well-educated individual factor, Yavuz by giving Ireland example said “In Europe it was recently experienced as Irish Miracle. In 1973 when Ireland became member to European Union was the poorest country in Europe.  But in contrast to other European countries they invested all aids they got from EU to education system. Presently with 60 thousand dollar worth of income per capita they become both Europe’s and world’s one the richest countries. They achieved that in 30 years.”

-TOBB’s contributions to education

Underlining the great importance that they attached to education as TOBB, Faik Yavuz indicated that they founded TOBB University of Economy and Technology and also changed to “cooperative education” model which allows students to get education both at school and in business life. Reminding that as TOBB they set out for building training facilities in each city of Turkey, Yavuz said “Up till today we have completed the construction of more 70 grand training facilities. We are continuing this project.”

Indicating the teachers as main factor of education TOBB Presidency Council Member and TOBB Accountant Member of the Board Faik Yavuz said the followings: “If we will make a reform, starting point as such is the faculties of education, it is the reform of education faculties. The reason is simple: Quality work comes out from quality artisan. If you give me the fabric and entire tools and instruments I can sew a dress/suit. It is not an impossible job, I can do it. But you will not want to wear the suit that sew. It would be waste of fabric, thread, and button. Yet give the same fabric to the talented hands of a tailor he/she would produce you the best quality suit. Therefore we must train teachers as the tailors of this fabric in best talented way possible. Teaching knowledge is certainly important. In any case we need to that. But more important than that is to raise solid generation. There is no area that a generation raised solid in terms of characterful would fail success. The basis for that is the teacher’s quality. Therefore I believe we should greatly invest in this area.”

-Education must be kept with the times

TOBB Education Council President Yusuf Ekinci while referring the importance of education in his speech, also said “The most important factor for fulfilling the values expected from education by the nations is the teacher. The most important strategic part of a school is the teacher.”

Telling thatwithin the new millennium that we are currently in there had been very significant changes in moving to the information age, culture, economy, international affairs and values, Ekinci said “The area where those changes shall directly reflect is education. If there is rapid change in many areas, education cannot be expected to maintain same mentality and practice either. In order to enable the changes that comply with modern times the reality of the time should be well understood and utilised.”

Yusuf Ekinci drawing attention to that the new age successful personas are the one who constantly improve and adapt oneself, also mentioned the importance of life long education.

-It is inevitable change to reflect on education

Deputy Minister for Ministry of National Education Orhan Erdem told about that the reflection of change emerged by development in industrialisation and technology on education would be inevitable. Telling that handing down regenerated national culture and identity to the next generations became important Erdem also underlined that usage of information technologies and critical skills are gradually becoming crucial.

Erdem stated that during that development process new missions are being imposed to the teachers and also gave information about the works that carried out for the success of teacher training programmes.