Enver Yücel, the President of Bahçeşehir University Board of Trustees was deemed worthy for Excellency Award in International Education by International American Educators (PDK) for his contributions to international education due to his successes of individual focused education program design and applications. Yücel received his award from Dr. Lind K. Patterson, the President of Phi Delta Kapa (PDK) in New York University and Gene J. Mann, the vice president.
Before calling Enver Yücel to the platform to receive his award Dr. Patterson gave some information regarding the innovative and individual focused education programs produced by Yücel in both national and international platforms. Dr. Patterson emphasized that Enver Yücel spread K-12 schools and test preparation centers nationwide and that Bahçeşehir University has become one of the prominent international universities in short time and added “Yücel provides ESL programs for international students from all over the world. He established Washington DC Harriet Fulbright College which includes seminar and certificate programs for several departments of the world. He also established occupational training courses in East Europe and Middle East Countries. All abovementioned education institutions provides a lifelong education programs for more than 120.000 students starting from the age of 3. He also serves as the president of All Private Education Institutions Foundation (TÖDER). He has guided several education projects including Global Citizenship Syllabus”.
Turkish and American academicians who succeeded significant and successful achievements in their field participated in the award ceremony held in Torch Club an affiliation of New York University (NYU).
RECEIVED THE AWARD ON BEHALF OF UĞUR EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
After her speech Dr. Peterson granted Enver Yücel “International Education Excellence Award”. Yücel stated that he received this award on behalf of Bahçeşehir Education Institutions, and presented the award to Ferhan Öz, Execution Board Member of Bahçeşehir Education Institutions, who served as the general manager of 20 high schools.
After the award ceremony Enver Yücel gave a speech laying stress on “individual focused education model”. Yücel stated that it has been a privilege for him to speak in Torch Club. He told that Torch means “meşale” in Turkish language and it symbolizes education.
Yücel Continued His speech with following words;
I am so glad that we have such an institution in our world which exercises for the excellence in education and awards those who make the similar efforts since the beginning of 1990s. I hereby thank them very much for deeming me suitable for this award. I receive this award on behalf of Bahçeşehir Uğur Education Institutions. I lead them but the applicators are so important for me. Education is hard business. I owe this award to my wife Mrs. Semra, who always supports me. I give a big round of applause for her.
"EDUCATION IS THE LEADING FORCE OF GLOBALIZING WORLD"
Yücel stated that he graduated from primary and secondary school in a village where there were no roads and emphasized the importance of receiving an award from NYU and informed the participants of his achievements in education business. Yücel said that he is in the presence of valuable academicians and hoped that he would see them next to him in following adventures. Yücel; “Everything has globalized economy, etc. Leading factor is education to sustain them. If we manage to realize global education, establish global communication and grow common world citizens we live in a more peaceful world all together. Equality of opportunity and deliver quality education to ever single child is the key. I struggle to realize this in my country. We always need quality education to achieve this goal.”
DIFFERENT INTELLIGENCES SHOULDN'T BE APPROACHED THROUGH THE SAME METHODS"
Yücel emphasized that he adopted individual focused education model and system and he was influenced by multiple intelligence theory of Howard Gardner. “I thought to myself why people should get taught the same way if there are different intelligence types. I decided to apply this method in Bahçeşehir Colleges and for 5 years from now I have been applying this method. I have observed that students are more successful and happier. This proves the efficacy of the work done.” Yücel stated that he desires the individual focused education method to spread all over the world.
Yücel stated that individual focused education model is just a small step and that education must undergo a paradigm change. He said “Education cannot keep going with this mentality and culture. We, academicians are trying to teach something to students. We try to present something within the borders of current buildings and patterns. It is time this changed and education business must be the leading sector. We must examine whether teachers can train students in a true way. I established the faculty of education in my University with such a motivation in my mind. Physiologists, sociologists and educators must work harder.”
TR
