Academic Progress Program (AGEP)

Hi friends my name is Eslem Günaydın. I am a third year student in the Department of International Islamic Studies and Religious Studies at Istanbul 29 Mayıs University. Before I came to this school, I had some doubts. It was because I had not heard very much about the school and its academic focus. After I came here, I saw that this was the best place for me. I have been able to improve myself culturally and aristically. Our school’s Research and Improvement Program is available to students advance themselves in the subjects they desire to learn more about. Every student can choose any subject that they would like to receive more education and training in. Students can a foreign language to their program or any types of classes in the arts. For example, when I came to the school, there were no courses to learn to play the ney, which is a Turkish flute like instrument. This is something I really wanted to learn to play so I made a request to our academic staff. Besides myself, four other students wanted the same thing so the school provided us an opportunity to take a course in this subject. After I observed this happen, I realized we could open more classes. I am continuing taking classes in Ebru, the Ney, Photography, and Arabic Caligraphy. The goals of these courses are to provide students with unique learning and educational opportunities. When I take these courses, I feel like I am in a different world. They help me escape from the regular stresses of school and my workload. Like I said, I feel like I am entering a different world. After I take courses like this, I return like a new person to my friends. These classes help me have a more positive outlook. I recommend for all students at our school to experience the arts in this way through this program. The scheduling for these classes can be very flexible. We can try and work out things with our professors and schedules. The classes normally take place one day a week. They can last for 2 to 4 hours. For example, my Ebru class lasts 4 hours and my Arabic Caligraphy classes last 2 hours. Our university provides the best spaces for these programs. For example, our Ebru classes use our great workshops. We have a special room where we have Arbaic Caligraphy classes and special cubboards where we can place our work. We never have problems with this issue. If we need special teachers for certain program, the program helps find teachers for this. Professors from different universitie can and teach us. Students do not need any previous experience in what they would like to study. They can come if they have a lot of experience or no experience at all. For example, there are two techniques in Ebru. We had students that know the first technique, but they did not know the second technique. Therefore, they learned new skill and enhanced the one they already knew. Some courses are done if there is a special want or desire. For example, our Ney course was only offered when there were enough students that showed interest and wanted to do it. Our Arabic Caligraphy class works the same way. Participating in these courses are great for students and help expand their horizons. It provides students the opportunity to develop their personal skills and talents in a certain area and thy get to have unique experiences. We do have displays and exhibitions of our art from certain classes. Sometimes, we get to participate in concerts, congresses, and different symposiums. I talked a lot about the art side of things. I would like to talk briefly about the academic side of this program. Students can study different parts of the Hadith if they want to. They gain more knowledge and insight into different subjects. Students can try to advance themselves in almost any subject. I recommend our school to any potential students and I would recommend our Research and Improvement Program as well.