The ‘Pandemic Academy’ against the virus

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) has initiated the “Pandemi Akademi (pandemic academy)” in order to get the effects of coronavirus in different fields such as law, education, health and trade evaluated by experts and create the solutions needed. Current issues concerning all segments of the society are discussed at the Pandemic Academy, where IUE academics hold informative interviews online. Interviews, held with the participation of hundreds of people using distance education technology, are announced daily from IUE social media accounts and can be watched live on YouTube channel. Participants can instantly answer all the questions of the guests during talk sessions moderated by Prof. Ebru Uzunoğlu, Dean of IUE Faculty of Communication. In the upcoming period, it is aimed to continue the Pandemic Academy, which will also hold talks for Izmir Chamber of Commerce members, by further expanding.

EXAMPLE OF SOCIETY-UNIVERSITY COLLOABORATION

Prof. Ebru Uzunoğlu, Dean of IUE Faculty of Communication, said that the Pandemic Academy was an exemplary study in terms of supporting community-university collaboration. Prof. Uzunoğlu said, “Sharing insights and guiding society in the light of science is one of the top priorities of universities. Based on this idea, we aimed to implement a permanent and effective project regarding coronavirus which affects our lives in many areas from daily life to work order. As the University started to implement the Campus Izmir model, they said ‘Entire Izmir is our campus’. It was emphasized that Izmir University of Economics would act with the consciousness of generating ideas and adding value in every subject that concerns our country and city. Pandemic Academy is one of the projects to ensure that.” 

INCREASED INTEREST

Noting that the interest in the interviews over the internet has increased gradually, Prof. Uzunoğlu said, “Pandemic Academy does not focus on the present only. Many issues that concern us all are addressed, such as what awaits the business world, how the professions of the future will be shaped, what new scenarios may be related to the world, etc. We aim to reach every part of the society through interviews with the participation of academics working in different fields at the University attending as guest speakers. The interest in our interviews over the internet has increased recently. We get positive feedbacks. This makes us happy too. Thanks to the strong technological infrastructure and modern distance education opportunities of our university, it has become easier for us to realize our projects. We will continue to use Pandemic Academy efficiently and prepare rich content.”