Atatürk University | SDG 4 – Quality Education | Indicator 4.3.3
Atatürk University provides short-term vocational training, professional certification and continuing education opportunities for individuals outside its regular degree programmes. Through its Continuing Education Application and Research Centre (ATASEM), digital learning infrastructure and academic expertise, the University supports the development of professional skills, technical competencies and career-related knowledge among working adults, practitioners and other lifelong learners.
During 2025, the University’s continuing education activities included specialist mediation training, expert-witness education, public procurement legislation, scientific writing, statistical analysis, occupational health and safety, and laboratory techniques.
These activities demonstrate the University’s commitment to providing educational opportunities beyond conventional undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
1. Institutional Framework for Vocational Training and Continuing Education
Atatürk University Continuing Education Centre (ATASEM)
The Atatürk University Continuing Education Application and Research Centre (ATASEM) is the University’s principal institutional structure for non-degree professional development and lifelong learning.
ATASEM provides training programmes, courses, seminars and professional certification opportunities designed to develop knowledge and skills beyond formal academic qualifications.
Its institutional mission emphasises:
- Lifelong learning and professional development.
- Vocational and in-service training.
- Education for public institutions, private organisations and professional groups.
- Certificate and participation programmes.
- Opportunities for individuals seeking to acquire new competencies or update existing professional knowledge.
The Centre offers training in various formats, including face-to-face and online learning, depending on the programme.
Participants can obtain information about training content, eligibility requirements, schedules, registration procedures and certification through the Centre’s official website.
Institutional evidence:
ATASEM – Official Website
ATASEM – Institutional Mission and Activities
ATASEM – Training Catalogue
2. Professional Legal Training: Specialist Mediation in Commercial Law
Programme: Specialist Mediation Training in Commercial Law (Ticaret Hukukunda Uzman Arabuluculuk Eğitimi)
Dates: 24–27 February 2025
Duration: 32 hours
Delivery: Face-to-face
Organiser: ATASEM
In February 2025, Atatürk University offered a specialist professional training programme in commercial law mediation.
The programme was designed for professionals registered in the Ministry of Justice’s official mediation register, rather than students enrolled in a university degree programme.
The training consisted of:
- 24 hours of theoretical education
- 8 hours of practical training
Its curriculum covered commercial enterprise law, company law, negotiable instruments law and practical mediation applications.
The official programme announcement specified eligibility criteria, the training schedule, participation requirements, registration procedures and the course fee. The programme page also confirms that the training was successfully completed.
This constitutes direct evidence of the University’s provision of structured, short-term executive and professional education to qualified external practitioners.
Evidence: ATASEM – Specialist Mediation Training in Commercial Law, February 2025
3. Expert-Witness Training and Professional Legal Competencies
Programme: Expert-Witness Basic Training (Bilirkişilik Temel Eğitimi)
Dates: 24–27 June 2025, documented sixth group
Organiser: ATASEM
Atatürk University provided professional training related to expert-witness practice within the legal system.
The official June 2025 training schedule identifies a sixth participant group and specifies the educational activities conducted across four days.
The programme included:
- Fundamental concepts of adjudication and the law of evidence.
- The role and responsibilities of an expert witness.
- Procedures and principles of expert examination.
- Expert report preparation.
- Practical training and application exercises.
The published programme documentation includes a dated training schedule and participant information, demonstrating the organisation of structured vocational education during the reporting year.
The programme addresses professional competencies relevant to individuals undertaking expert-witness duties and is separate from conventional degree-level teaching.
Evidence: ATASEM – Expert-Witness Basic Training, June 2025 (Official Programme PDF)
4. Certified Public Procurement Legislation Training
Programme: 54th Certified Public Procurement Legislation Training Programme
Start date: 20 November 2025
Organiser: ATASEM
Atatürk University continued its professional education activities in public procurement through the 54th Certified Public Procurement Legislation Training Programme, which commenced on 20 November 2025.
Public procurement legislation is a specialised area of professional practice involving procurement procedures, regulatory compliance and administrative responsibilities.
The University’s continuing education framework provides opportunities for relevant professionals to develop or update their knowledge of procurement requirements.
The programme is particularly relevant to public-sector personnel and professionals involved in procurement-related activities.
The official ATASEM news archive documents the programme’s commencement in November 2025.
Evidence: ATASEM – Public Procurement Training News Archive, November 2025
5. Scientific Writing and Research Skills Training
Programme: Scientific Article Writing and Publication Process Training
Period: June and November 2025
Organiser: Continuing Education Centre
Atatürk University provided short-term training in scientific writing and academic publishing during 2025.
The University’s academic activity records document the delivery of Scientific Article Writing and Publication Process Training in both June and November 2025, with Prof. Dr. Hasan Seçen listed as an instructor.
The programme supports the development of professional competencies in scientific communication and research publication.
Such training is relevant to researchers, scientific professionals and individuals seeking to improve their research communication skills outside a formal degree programme.
The University’s continuing education catalogue also identifies the programme as a short-course offering with a participation certificate.
Evidence:
AVESİS – Prof. Dr. Hasan Seçen, 2025 Training Activities
ATASEM – Scientific Article Writing and Publication Process Training
6. Statistical Analysis and Digital Professional Skills
Programme: Basic Statistics with SPSS
Year: 2025
Organiser: Continuing Education Centre
The University’s academic records document the delivery of a Basic Statistics with SPSS course in 2025 through the Continuing Education Centre.
The course represents professional skills development in statistical analysis and the use of analytical software.
Statistical software competencies are relevant to professionals in research, education, public administration and data-intensive fields.
This type of short-course training demonstrates the University’s ability to translate academic expertise into practical skills-development opportunities.
Evidence: AVESİS – Prof. Dr. Ceyhun Ozan, 2025 Training Activities
7. Occupational Health and Safety Vocational Training
Programme: Class C Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Course
Year: 2025
Organiser: Continuing Education Centre
Atatürk University offered professional training in occupational health and safety through its continuing education infrastructure.
The University’s 2025 academic activity records identify the Class C Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Course as a training activity conducted through the Continuing Education Centre.
Occupational health and safety training supports the development of competencies relevant to workplace risk management, accident prevention, occupational responsibilities and professional safety practices.
This programme demonstrates the University’s engagement in professional training connected to workforce needs and workplace safety.
Evidence: AVESİS – 2025 Occupational Health and Safety Training Record
8. Advanced Scientific and Laboratory Techniques Training
Programme: 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Techniques Training
Year: 2025
Organiser: Continuing Education Centre
The University also contributed to specialised technical training through a course addressing one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques.
The programme is documented in the 2025 academic activity records of Prof. Dr. Hasan Seçen and Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Kılıç.
NMR techniques are relevant to scientific and technical activities requiring molecular structure analysis and analytical instrumentation.
This training illustrates how the University’s specialist research knowledge and technical expertise can support continuing professional development.
Evidence:
AVESİS – Prof. Dr. Hasan Seçen
AVESİS – Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Kılıç
9. Digital Learning and Non-Degree Training Opportunities
ATADemix: Digital Learning Infrastructure
In addition to face-to-face training, Atatürk University maintains the ATADemix digital learning platform, which provides access to online courses and learning resources.
The platform supports the University’s broader lifelong learning approach by offering opportunities to engage with educational content beyond traditional classroom-based instruction.
Its course catalogue has included technical and professional subjects such as:
- Electronic commerce.
- Qualitative data analysis using NVivo.
- Mobile application development.
- Basic statistics.
- PHP programming.
- Moodle learning management systems.
These subject areas demonstrate the University’s capacity to support digital skills development and professional learning.
Evidence:
ATADemix – Official Platform
ATADemix – Course Catalogue
10. Accessibility for Non-Degree Participants
A defining feature of Atatürk University’s vocational training activities is their organisation outside regular university degree programmes.
ATASEM training programmes provide separate registration procedures and, where applicable, professional eligibility requirements, participation fees, course schedules and certification arrangements.
The February 2025 specialist mediation programme provides a particularly clear example: eligibility was based on professional registration with the Ministry of Justice, rather than enrolment as a university student.
The Centre’s training framework includes opportunities for working adults and professionals to participate in courses according to their occupational and educational needs.
Registration and Certification
ATASEM publishes information about:
- Programme content and training duration.
- Participation and professional eligibility requirements.
- Registration procedures.
- Training delivery format.
- Course fees, where applicable.
- Certificates or participation documents.
Atatürk University’s institutional regulations also provide for certificates or participation documents for individuals attending courses organised by the University or in coordination with ATASEM.
Evidence:
ATASEM – Training Programmes and Registration
Atatürk University – Institutional Certification Regulations
11. Summary of Documented Vocational Training Activities in 2025
| Training Programme | Period | Vocational Focus | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist Mediation in Commercial Law | 24–27 February 2025 | Legal practice and professional mediation | ATASEM |
| Expert-Witness Basic Training | 24–27 June 2025 | Legal expertise and professional reporting | ATASEM PDF |
| 54th Certified Public Procurement Legislation Programme | November 2025 | Public procurement and regulatory knowledge | ATASEM News |
| Scientific Article Writing and Publication Training | June and November 2025 | Scientific communication and professional research skills | AVESİS |
| Basic Statistics with SPSS | 2025 | Statistical analysis and analytical software | AVESİS |
| Class C Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Course | 2025 | Occupational safety and professional competencies | AVESİS |
| 1D and 2D NMR Techniques Training | 2025 | Laboratory analysis and scientific instrumentation | AVESİS |
12. Contribution to SDG 4 – Quality Education
Atatürk University’s vocational training and continuing education activities support lifelong learning by extending access to specialised knowledge and practical skills beyond formal university degree programmes.
Through ATASEM, the University offers structured short courses and professional training programmes addressing legal practice, public administration, scientific research, statistical analysis, occupational safety and technical competencies.
The documented 2025 training activities, together with the University’s continuing education and digital learning infrastructure, demonstrate an institutional commitment to professional development and educational opportunities for non-degree learners.
These activities contribute to SDG 4 – Quality Education, Indicator 4.3.3: Vocational Training Events (Lifelong Learning) by supporting the continuing acquisition of skills, professional knowledge and competencies among individuals outside conventional higher education programmes.
