About Our Goal and Policy
Şırnak University (SIRU), a young and dynamic university with a rich heritage, was founded in 2008 as a state university in the city of Şırnak, Turkey. With its 6 faculties, 2 colleges and 5 vocational schools, 1 Institute, SIRU majorly concentrates its academic studies on social sciences as an institution where a deep-rooted tradition meets innovative knowledge, qualified academics meet successful students, and the theoretical knowledge in social sciences meets practice. The main aim of the university is to develop and produce continuously in Turkey and worldwide by increasing the scientific effectiveness and productivity of the students and research staff in both national and international areas. Additionally, as the heir to a vast accumulation of knowledge and experience, the university endeavours to serve our country with hundreds of qualified graduates every year and to open up new horizons in social sciences with a wide range of scientific, social and cultural opportunities while at the same time continuing to contribute to the world's scientific heritage by sharing our resources worldwide.
Hence, internationalization is one of the prominent strategies of our University as keenly highlighted in the “SIRU Strategic Plan”. As also clearly stated in our international strategy (EU and non-EU), participating and having an active role in all kinds of international and national programmes related to education, training, youth and sport is of utmost importance along with developing international academic, mobility and activity cooperation with EU and non-EU countries; supporting, promoting and recognizing student and staff mobility (including those from disadvantaged groups) at all levels (academic and administrative); attending international fairs and exhibitions for international recognition and establishing cooperations; increasing the number of academic degree programmes in English; initiating joint-degree programmes; developing an international and multi-cultural campus environment; further development of our multi-relations with the City Council, Chamber of Commerce, the Governorship, local governmental organizations (GO) and non-governmental organizations (NGO) and enterprises and their international partners; developing joint international projects.
To enrich and sustain its internationalization policy, SIRU sets sights on organizing and attending international programmes and activities. Accordingly, Erasmus partnerships are established with the European countries with which mutual benefits can be obtained on behalf of both parties , especially by considering the needs, demands and requests of our students and staff (academic and administrative); the propositions of local GOs and NGOs (Provincial Directorates of National Education, of Youth and Sport, of Industry and Technologies; Regional Development Agency, Chambers etc.); and the other possibilities we have encountered on different occasions (visits, congress, fairs and exhibitions) with internationally recognized institutions and corporations. After the preselection of candidates, we re-evaluate the partnership prospects depending on the interests, needs and mutual compatibility of institutions by consulting the relevant departmental authorities and sometimes even consulting the Turkish Higher Education Council.
Considering the geographical advantages of our country and our city, the university offers a wide range of potential for international connections and collaborations; while the Balkans, the Middle Eastern and African countries present a large scope of alternatives for easier visa requirements and procedures, cheaper costs of living and closer distance, the 28 member countries of European Union, other developed countries such as United States of America, Russia, China, Japan, and Canada and targeted areas of non-EU geographies are also within the span of our internationalization coverage. These considerations are vital for our students from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds with different qualifications, needs, demands and provisions.
The target groups of our university mobility activities cover our students at all levels (short, first, second and third cycles) and all our administrative and academic staff members. Their selection process is carried out fairly, transparently and coherently, concurring with the stipulations set out in our contract with the National Agency (NA)providing every potential participant with equal opportunities.
The most outstanding objectives of our mobility activities for our students and staff are as follows:
-to improve their professional skills and resolve linguistic and cultural barriers;
-to enhance the academic programmes of our University and enrich the experience of our student and staff;
-to promote our Country, Region, City and especially Şırnak University with its own values, traditions and culture by embracing the others and celebrating the diversity,
-to create a multicultural and international environment for our students and staff in our campuses.
-to create cultural, multicultural and intercultural awareness by re-bridging the supposedly existing gaps among cultures and by overcoming the prejudices and the sense of “othering”, intolerance and the lack of communication.
The development of new double/multiple/joint degrees are also specifically encouraged with institutions previously collaborated by means of mobility programmes in order to widen the cooperation with them.
In SIRU, the organisation and implementation of international (EU and non-EU) cooperation projects are performed by the Erasmus+ Office in accordance with the “Programme Directive” and the “Directive of the Project Office”. Erasmus+ Office provides the coordinators in the academic departments, the students and staff with all the support regarding the application procedures for the projects, and carries out the required processes including the announcement of the important dates for the applications, carrying out evaluations and next steps, and the declaration of requirements by means of website, e-mail and etc. The applications are evaluated by an unbiased commission with respect to the selection criteria stated in the Programme Directive of Erasmus+ Office and the results are declared through channels available to all candidates. Following this procedure, an orientation meeting is held to inform the participants about important details such as passport, visa, accommodation, insurance and documentary issues before the mobility.
Furthermore, the Erasmus+ Office promotes and encourages international programmes and projects via the university website, regular meetings, presentations, leaflets and posters in the university since the number and quality of these projects, both for EU and non-EU countries, are considered among the most eminent indicators within “SIRU Strategic Plan”.
Aptly, the results achieved by the projects are announced through a variety of channels including our web site, social media groups and printed materials to disseminate the results to the target groups as well as increasing the recognition and appreciation of the projects and our institution.
The modernization of Şırnak University is regulated according to the modernization agenda of the EU along with regional needs and requirements. We strongly believe that as a newly founded institution with a deep-rooted academic and scientific heritage, the Programme will help to design and enhance the main structure, and ensure a harmonious growth to its true potential.
Among our University’s main objectives is also the maintainance of high quality education with an increasing accomplishment level of graduates and researchers Europe needs. It also seems vital for us to equip our graduates with precious knowledge and competences necessary for high-skill occupations by also encouraging our students to participate in the European Voluntary Service (EVS) for diverse cultural, artistic and social welfare activities to become actively involved in international professional organizations. In the same way, international staff exchanges will also pave way to form active and highly qualified professionals required for educational programs and the labour market. That is, SIRU basically aims to increase professional, social and intercultural skills of its academics, students and staff. Thus, our institution will be able to establish the triangle of education, research and business knowledge essential for all parties for the benefit of local and global sustainable development for every institutions and the country while at the same time reinforcing cross-border co-operations to boost higher education performance by enhancing mobility, eliminating barriers unnecessary in the research and higher education, improving the recognition of the programs, and perfecting employment conditions and progression opportunities for students, researchers and staff.
We strongly believe that our participation in the Programme (Erasmus+ for All) will facilitate the access to the levels of higher education and research set before us by sharing new ideas for developing clear progression routes of education; designing and implementing new strategies of research in line with both European Qualification Framework and the Union’s R&D targets.
Prof.Dr. Abdurrahim ALKIŞ