Prof. Dr. Asaf Varol
At the 26th ILDEK Council meeting, hosted by Çukurova University’s Faculty of Communication in 2018, our proposal to organize an international symposium was approved by the General Assembly and included as the 4th article in the meeting’s final declaration. The CIDA Symposium stands as one of the finest examples of ensuring the continuity of the ILDEK Council’s decisions.
The first “Communication in the Digital Age” Symposium was successfully conducted under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Senem Duruel Erkılıç at Mersin University on April 18-19, 2018.
The second symposium was held online due to the pandemic, hosted by İzmir University of Economics’ Faculty of Communication under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ebru Uzunoğlu from October 26-28, 2020.
CIDA 2022 took place in Ankara from October 12-15, 2022, spearheaded by the Faculty of Communication at Ankara University (İLEF), with the support of Başkent University, Hacettepe University, Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, and various departments from Çankaya, Atılım, and Ankara Social Sciences Universities.
Determined to repeat this symposium every two years, we are now organizing the fourth event, titled “4th International Symposium on Communication in the Digital Age,” hosted by Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) in Northern Cyprus from November 28-30, 2024. This event is jointly prepared by the Communication Research Association (İLAD), the Communication Faculty Deans Council (İLDEK), and EMU’s Faculty of Communication.
Organization Committee
The organizing team includes:
Prof. Dr. Aysel Aziz (İLAD, Co-Chair), Prof. Dr. Metin Ersoy (ILDEK/EMU, Co-Chair), Prof. Dr. Asaf Varol (ILDEK, Co-Chair), Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Timisi (İLAD), Prof. Dr. Bahire Efe Özad (EMU), Prof. Dr. Anıl Kemal Kaya (EMU), Prof. Dr. Fatoş Adiloğlu (EMU), Prof. Dr. Senem Duruel Erkılıç (MEU), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Türksoy (EMU), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aysu Arsoy (EMU), Asst. Prof. Dr. Yetin Arslan (EMU), Asst. Prof. Dr. Barçın Boğaç (EMU), Füsun Özbilgen (İLAD), Dr. Nil Yüce (EMU), Research Assistant İbrahim Emre Sugel (EMU), and Research Assistant Afsaneh Oghbatalab (EMU).
Highlights of the Symposium
Organizing an international symposium is a challenging process, as those who have worked behind the scenes can attest. A strong team is essential to producing results. From this perspective, Dean Prof. Dr. Metin Ersoy and his team have demonstrated remarkable success in leading this effort. Likewise, İLAD and ILDEK have played key roles in coordinating and automating the event.
What distinguishes this symposium from previous ones is its significant use of automation and artificial intelligence. Submitted papers were reviewed by referees in a very short time, the website was frequently updated, authors received instant feedback, and we managed to meet tight deadlines to bring everything together.
At the symposium, I (Prof. Dr. Asaf Varol) will deliver an invited talk on “The Role and Impacts of Artificial Intelligence in Digital Transformation.” My presentation will focus on examples of how AI can be applied in communication fields. Unfortunately, I could not travel to Cyprus due to my stay in the United States, so I will present online via Zoom. Thanks to advancements in technology, connecting virtually across continents has become as easy as accessing a computer. The second keynote speaker, Özdemir Tokel, Chairman of the Board of Bayrak Radio and Television Corporation, will address “Political Communication and Media.”
Out of 56 accepted papers, 22 will be presented in English, and 34 in Turkish. The symposium will also feature three panels—two in Turkish and one in English. The third panel, titled “In Memory of Hıfzı Topuz: International Communication Order and Turkish Cypriot Media,” is particularly notable.
On the final day, a guided tour of Mağusa Old Town will be organized for participants to explore the historical sites of Cyprus.
Acknowledgments
Since the 2000s, the ILDEK Council has been steadfastly advancing its mission. Together with İLAD, its largest stakeholder, it operates in complete unity to ensure the continuity of the symposium and the accreditation of communication faculty programs. Maintaining this unity is a core goal.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, the Board of Trustees, and the supporting staff of EMU for facilitating this international symposium. I also thank İLAD President Prof. Dr. Aysel Aziz, ILDEK President Prof. Dr. Ümit Arklan, all members of the organizing committee, and, most importantly, the dedicated volunteers and students working tirelessly behind the scenes. I am confident that the symposium will be a great success.