Bahçeşehir University is dedicated to promoting the principles of quality education and lifelong learning in alignment with its institutional mission and global educational standards. In pursuit of this commitment, the University actively supports and implements a range of initiatives designed to extend learning opportunities beyond traditional academic boundaries. These initiatives include Free Resources for Lifelong Learners, Free Courses Leading to Certificates, and Free Access to Online Educational Materials.
Through these programs, Bahçeşehir University ensures that individuals of all ages and professional backgrounds can continuously enhance their knowledge and skills in an accessible and inclusive manner. The University’s approach emphasizes open access to high-quality educational content, fostering intellectual growth, career advancement, and social development.
The following sections provide a comprehensive overview of the implementation strategies, operational frameworks, and measurable impacts of these lifelong learning initiatives, reflecting Bahçeşehir University’s ongoing efforts to democratize education and empower learners globally.
1- BAU Open Learning
Bahçeşehir University Open Learning Platform is a free and publicly accessible educational initiative established to promote open and inclusive learning opportunities for all. The platform offers a wide range of online course materials across diverse disciplines, meticulously prepared and curated by Bahçeşehir University’s distinguished academic staff.
Designed to support both individual and professional development, the BAU Open Learning platform embodies the University’s commitment to lifelong learning, digital education, and the democratization of knowledge. By providing high-quality educational content to learners worldwide, it enables participants to engage in self-paced learning and expand their intellectual horizons without financial or geographic barriers.
OpenBAU Platform Overview
Bahçeşehir University upholds equal opportunity in education as a core institutional value. In line with this principle, the OpenBAU platform has been developed to promote inclusivity and equal access to learning.
Accessibility and Design
OpenBAU is designed to reach a wide range of users, regardless of their device, software, or physical limitations. The platform is optimized for full accessibility, supporting screen readers and complete keyboard navigation. All features comply with international W3C Accessibility Standards. Its user-friendly interface minimizes the need for additional software and ensures all page content is accessible.
An accessibility menu, located at the bottom right corner of the homepage, allows users to customize their experience with tools such as color contrast options, text size adjustments, and alternative text descriptions, enhancing usability for visually impaired individuals.
Sign Language Education
To support the participation of hearing-impaired individuals, OpenBAU provides free sign language courses accessible to both students and the general public. This initiative encourages broader societal communication skills and inclusion.
Microsoft Teams Integration
Educational content on OpenBAU integrates with Microsoft Teams’ Immersive Reader, allowing automatic text-to-speech playback for visually impaired users. Learners can also adjust line spacing, font size, and background colors for a more personalized and accessible learning experience.
The platform and its full range of freely accessible courses can be explored through the link provided below.
https://open.bau.edu.tr/
2- BAU Library
BAU Barbaros Library, as an integral part of Bahçeşehir University, plays a vital role in supporting the University’s educational and research programs by providing users with timely and accurate access to information resources.
The Library is dedicated to facilitating academic excellence by offering comprehensive support and convenience for all forms of scientific research and scholarly activities. Its mission is to meet the information and research needs of the Bahçeşehir University community—including academics, administrative staff, students, and alumni—as well as to extend its services to the broader public seeking reliable academic resources.
In alignment with Bahçeşehir University’s commitment to accessibility and knowledge sharing, Barbaros Library welcomes not only University members but also individuals and institutions outside the University who wish to benefit from its rich collection and academic services. All users enjoy full access to the library’s facilities and resources free of charge. Members of the general public, students, and faculty from other universities may freely use the library’s resources by obtaining a daily entrance card.
Furthermore, Bahçeşehir University Library’s open-access resources are publicly available through the Library’s official website, accessible via the link provided below.
https://library.bahcesehir.edu.tr/genel-bilgiler
Additionally, Bahçeşehir University is an active member of the Free Interlibrary Loan System, which fosters collaboration and resource sharing among academic institutions. Through this system, the University facilitates free and efficient access to information resources across participating libraries, enabling students, researchers, and faculty members to benefit from a broader network of academic materials. Access to these shared resources is provided through the University’s campus facilities, further enhancing the scope and quality of research and learning opportunities available to the Bahçeşehir University community.
3- Bahçeşehir University Jean Monnet Chair on Feminist Epistemic Justice (FEJUST): Open Access Lectures and Educational Resources (2023–2024)
During the 2023–2024 academic year, Bahçeşehir University (BAU), through its Jean Monnet Chair on Feminist Epistemic Justice in the EU and Beyond (FEJUST), implemented a comprehensive initiative designed to make academic knowledge freely accessible to the wider public. Under the theme “Gendering EU Politics,” BAU hosted a series of hybrid guest lectures and public seminars that explored the intersection of gender, equality, and policymaking within the European Union and beyond.
The events, delivered by leading scholars and practitioners, were open to both BAU students and the general public, accessible through Zoom and YouTube Live. These open-access sessions created an inclusive platform for critical dialogue on gender justice, equality, and representation in international governance, enabling audiences from diverse backgrounds to participate in academic discussions without barriers.
In addition, lecture notes and course materials from FEJUST undergraduate courses—Gender Politics in the EU and Gender in International Development—were made available as open-access resources on the FEJUST website, ensuring continued learning opportunities for individuals outside formal higher education.
Through this initiative, Bahçeşehir University reaffirmed its commitment to democratizing education and expanding access to knowledge, directly contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by promoting gender-sensitive scholarship, SDG 4 (Quality Education) by offering inclusive and open learning platforms, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring equitable access to educational resources beyond the university.
4- Certification Programs
Bahçeşehir University offers a diverse selection of free short-term courses designed to provide participants with practical knowledge, new skills, and professional development opportunities. These programs are open to the public and lead to an official certificate of participation or specialization, supporting BAU’s mission to make lifelong learning and accessible education available to all.
Further information and examples of these programs are provided below.
Equal Opportunity in Technology Certification Program
Bahçeşehir University (BAU), in collaboration with CIFAL Istanbul, affiliated with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and in partnership with Yapı Kredi Bank, continues to advance its mission of promoting equality and innovation through the “Equal Opportunity in Technology Certification Program.” This initiative is designed to increase women’s participation in the fields of technology and innovation, contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and diverse digital future.
The certification program provides free, high-quality training delivered by Bahçeşehir University’s distinguished academic staff. Participants engage in comprehensive learning modules covering Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Technologies, Cybersecurity, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Industry 5.0. These training contents are developed with a focus on practical applicability and global standards, ensuring participants gain both theoretical knowledge and industry-relevant competencies.
In 2024, the program expanded its scope to reach a broader audience. It is now open to all women aged 15 and above, with no upper age limit, allowing greater inclusivity and ensuring that women of all ages can benefit from technological education and empowerment opportunities.
Participants who successfully complete the certification program and achieve a minimum score of 70 in the final evaluation will receive an E-Government Approved Certificate of Achievement, jointly accredited by UNITAR and Bahçeşehir University. Those who complete at least 75% of the coursework will be awarded a UNITAR-accredited Certificate of Participation.
The Equal Opportunity in Technology Certification Program is entirely free of charge and open to all women who wish to develop their skills and advance their careers in technology. Moreover, individuals of any gender residing in the “Hope Cities” established by Koç Holding after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes are also eligible to participate, reflecting Bahçeşehir University’s unwavering commitment to social responsibility, inclusivity, and equal access to education.
Launched in 2023, the program has already achieved remarkable impact: by the end of 2024, a total of 22,450 women have successfully completed the training and received certificates. The certification program will continue until the end of 2026, aiming to reach and empower even more women across Türkiye and beyond through education, innovation, and equal opportunity.
Detailed information about the program and the application process can be accessed through the link below:
https://baugo.online/certificate-programs/teknolojide-firsat-esitligi
https://tto.bau.edu.tr/en/equal-opportunity-project-in-technology-has-started/
BAU Bridge Certificate Programs
The BAU Bridge Programs offer structured, practice-oriented, and certified learning opportunities designed to strengthen knowledge and skills across various disciplines. Established in 2021 under the Faculty of Economics, Administrative, and Social Sciences (FEAS), these programs have been continuously expanded and enriched through feedback from stakeholders and academic partners.
The BAU Bridge Certificate Programs are free of charge and open to all interested participants, reflecting Bahçeşehir University’s commitment to inclusive education and its contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
By providing accessible, high-quality learning experiences, the programs support both students and external participants in developing essential competencies for academic, professional, and personal growth, while also promoting equal opportunities in education.
The 2024 term featured six distinct certificate programs, each designed and delivered in collaboration with BAU’s departments, research centers, and partner institutions. These programs combine academic rigor with applied learning to equip participants with future-oriented competencies.
2024 BAU Bridge Programs
Each program provides a certificate upon successful completion and serves as a platform for both students and external participants to develop skills relevant to today’s rapidly changing social and economic landscape.
By bridging academia, industry, and society, the BAU Bridge Certificate Programs reflect Bahçeşehir University’s commitment to lifelong learning, innovation, and equal opportunity in education.
https://bau.edu.tr/haber/18837-2024-yilinda-gerceklestirdigimiz-bau-bridge-sertifika-programlarimiz
BAU Innovation Focus Open Training and Certification Program (7th Edition)
The 7th edition of the BAU Innovation Focus Program, organized by the BAU Hub Incubation Center in collaboration with the BAU Technology Transfer Office (TTO), was held during the 2024 Fall Semester.
This free, open-access, and certification-based educational program aimed to raise awareness and share knowledge on entrepreneurship, innovation, project development, patent application processes, incentives, and available supports. Through informative presentations and experience-sharing sessions, participants gained valuable insights into the entrepreneurial ecosystem and innovation landscape.
The program took place between November 12 and 19, 2024, and was conducted across two interactive sessions designed to inspire participants to take their first steps into the world of projects, startups, and innovation.
In addition to these thematic sessions, the program also featured entrepreneurship training modules focusing on:
The BAU Innovation Focus Program provided an inclusive learning environment for students, young professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them to develop their entrepreneurial mindset and creative problem-solving skills. Participants who successfully completed the training were awarded official certificates, recognizing their engagement and learning outcomes.
Conducted in an open and completely free format, the program once again reflected Bahçeşehir University’s commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning, contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
BAU Diplomat School Certificate Program
Bahçeşehir University’s International Leadership Practice and Research Center (ULMER), operating under the Government Leadership School, continues to cultivate future leaders through the Diplomat School Program—a pioneering initiative in Türkiye distinguished by its unique name, format, and content. Over the years, the Diplomat School has hosted ministers, ambassadors, members of parliament, scholars, and thought leaders, providing participants with direct exposure to the mechanisms of diplomacy and international decision-making.
The Diplomat School offers a comprehensive educational experience open to not only policy makers, government representatives and diplomats but also anyone interested in diplomacy, international relations, and leadership development. The program is hosted at Bahçeşehir University’s South Campus and serves as an accessible platform for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of global affairs through academic and practical perspectives.
Participants who attend at least 75% of the sessions and successfully complete the final assessment receive a Certificate of Achievement, while those meeting only the attendance requirement are granted a Certificate of Participation.
Held for the 15th time in 2024, the program took place between September 23 and December 23, featuring a renewed curriculum and structure aligned with current global and diplomatic dynamics.
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