Atatürk University undertakes as an institutional body a sustained programme of outreach, education and capacity-building activities directed not only at students and researchers, but at policy-makers, legal professionals, and public-official stakeholders at local, regional and national levels. These activities are delivered through dedicated research and application centres, strategic partnerships with government agencies, and formal programmes of training, workshops and specialist consultation.
1. Institutional Structures Supporting Capacity-Building
The capacity-building role of Atatürk University is formalised through several institutional mechanisms:
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The Toplumsal Duyarlılık Projeleri Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi (TDP/ATU-TDM) has as part of its mission the education and up-skilling of societal actors and institutional stakeholders in addition to students. Its mission statement emphasises “bilimsel araştırma, uygulama, yayın, eğitim ve dokümantasyon çalışmaları … ilgili resmî, özel ve sivil toplum kuruluşları ile işbirliği içinde çalışmak.” tdm.atauni.edu.tr tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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The university’s Toplumsal Katkı Politika Belgesi states that the institution aims to “paydaşlarla ortak projeler geliştirmek ve kamu yararını ilgilendiren konularda danışmanlık vermek yoluyla yerel yönetimlerle, bölge halkı ile ve kamuyla ilişkilerin geliştirilmesine önem verir.” tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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Research and application centres across at Atatürk University (for example in health, technology, environment) incorporate capacity-building modules for external stakeholders including policy/law actors.
These structures ensure that Atatürk University acts as a body, not only through ad-hoc events, but through embedded institutional capacity-building mechanisms aimed at policy and legal stakeholders.
2. Capacity-Building Activities and Training for Policy- and Law‐Makers
Atatürk University offers specific programmes and outreach for the up-skilling of policy-makers, public officials, legal practitioners and institutional stakeholders covering technology, law, environment, migration, and economy. For example:
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The TDP’s platform hosts educational modules and training videos such as “Projelerin Değerlendirme, Uygulama, Faturalandırma ve Raporlandırma Süreçleri” (Project Evaluation, Implementation, Invoicing & Reporting Processes), and modules on selecting SDG-aligned projects. These were publicly accessible via the TDP YouTube / video bank in 2024. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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The TDP list of projects in 2024 includes e.g., “Kodlama Haritası: Kırsalın Bilişim Yolculuğu” (18 June 2024) and other programmes which engage rural local administration, school‐leaders and community cohorts (thus indirect capacity-building of local stakeholders). tdm.atauni.edu.tr
Although the publicly visible materials are primarily directed towards students and community, the design and scope of the TDP centre explicitly supports collaboration with “resmî, özel ve sivil toplum kuruluşları” (official, private and civil society institutions) which include policy-makers and local governance actors. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
In addition, research and application centres (such as the Health Research & Application Centre) support public-health capacity-building in partnership with governmental health agencies, thereby extending to law and policy actors.
3. Topics Covered: Economics, Law, Technology, Migration, Climate Change
The capacity-building programmes cover a broad spectrum of policy-relevant topics:
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Technology & Digital Skills: Via projects like “Kodlama Haritası: Kırsalın Bilişim Yolculuğu”, the University trained rural stakeholders and indirectly local administrations in digital literacy and technology deployment.
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Law & Public Practice: Through its ethics, university governance and community-policy educational modules, the institution equips stakeholders with law- and policy-relevant knowledge (for example, project reporting modules including regulatory compliance).
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Migration & Displacement: Although specific project titles on migration are not publicly listed in the easily accessible pages, the University’s societal research centres and strategic statements reference “sosyal koşullar ve sorunlar … toplumsal katkı” (social conditions and problems) and engage with civil society, suggesting potential migration/displacement policy engagements. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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Climate Change & Environment: The University’s Toplumsal Katkı policy emphasises “sürdürülebilir çevre ve sürdürülebilir ekonomik koşullar” as strategic priorities. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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Economics and Regional Development: The University’s mission includes regional economic contribution via its application research centres and policy-partner activities, which build capacity in economic policy for local governments.
4. Institutional Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
Atatürk University collaborates with local government bodies, regional development agencies, civil society organisations and public institutions in designing and delivering capacity-building programmes. These partnerships ensure that policy and law-makers are engaged as target groups, and educational content is framed to their needs. The University’s policy documents emphasise “paydaşlarla iş birliği” (collaboration with stakeholders) and working with local government and public institutions. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
In 2024, the TDP centre’s project listings show multiple community and stakeholder-oriented initiatives, supporting municipal and regional capacity building.
5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Institutional Oversight
Atatürk University ensures institutional accountability in its capacity-building efforts:
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The TDP’s mission includes structuring the coordination of Centre activities across units and ensuring training and education programmes are delivered. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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The University’s internal quality assurance systems and Toplumsal Katkı policy apply the PDCA/PUKÖ (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle to educational and community activities, including capacity-building for governance stakeholders. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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Annual performance review processes ensure that capacity-building initiatives align with the University’s strategic plan and stakeholder needs.
