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.

Bolu, October 18, 2024

The 2024 ILDEK Council of Communication Faculty Deans meeting was held with the participation of communication faculty deans or their representatives. Hosted by Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, the meeting took place in Bolu from October 17 to 19, 2024, both in-person and online. The following resolutions were adopted:

1. The report on communication associate professorship exams, prepared by the Commission members formed during the 2023 ILDEK Council meeting held at Tunceli Munzur University (Prof. Dr. Rengin Küçükerdoğan, Hasan Kalyoncu University; Prof. Dr. Gilman Senem Gençtürk Hızal, Başkent University; Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Sümbül, Çukurova University; Assoc. Dr. Engin Sarı, Ankara University; Assoc. Dr. Veysel Çakmak, Aksaray University), was reviewed by the ILDEK Council Executive Committee. Following adjustments, it was presented to the General Assembly. The committee agreed to further refine the report and send it to the relevant institutions, with the Executive Committee overseeing the follow-up process.
2. It was discussed that the high enrollment numbers in communication departments within Open and Distance Education Faculties have resulted in students with qualifications below the expected standard. This enrollment surplus adversely impacts in-person education and leads to challenges for students in adapting to technological advancements. The Executive Committee was tasked with preparing a report to be submitted to the Council of Higher Education, proposing a reduction in enrollment quotas for these programs.
3. The ILDEK Council of Communication Faculty Deans agreed to support the “4th International Symposium on Communication in the Digital Age,” organized jointly by the ILDEK Council, Communication Research Association (İLAD), and the Eastern Mediterranean University Faculty of Communication, scheduled for November 28-30, 2024, at Eastern Mediterranean University. Each faculty is encouraged to announce this event to their personnel.
4. Challenges in sustaining educational activities in specific areas were discussed, particularly due to restrictions from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) on hiring specialized teaching staff for certain departments. A commission was established, composed of the following members, to prepare a report on this issue and for the ILDEK Council Executive Committee to oversee the related processes:
   Commission Members:
   Prof. Dr. Gilman Senem Gençtürk Hızal (Başkent University)
   Prof. Dr. Gülay Öztürk (Fenerbahçe University)
   Prof. Dr. Metin Kozak (Kadir Has University)
5. Prof. Dr. Asaf Varol’s presentation on “Artificial Intelligence and Its Future” in the context of communication faculties was discussed. The council agreed to promote the effective use and dissemination of artificial intelligence (AI) within communication faculties and to organize inter-faculty workshops on AI-related topics.
6. Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak’s presentation titled “Quality Assurance System in Higher Education and an Evaluation through Institutional and Program Accreditations” was reviewed. To expedite the accreditation processes of communication faculty programs, it was deemed appropriate for faculties to prepare short- and medium-term action plans.
7. For newly established “New Media and Communication” departments within communication faculties, it was decided that coordination through the ILDEK Council would be beneficial in harmonizing course curricula among relevant faculties.
8. To address the difficulties faced by communication faculty students in finding internship opportunities and placements, it was agreed that the ILDEK Council would prepare a report and liaise with the relevant institutions and organizations, including the sector stakeholders.
9. Following the elections, the members of the ILDEK Council Executive Committee were determined as follows: Primary Members:
   Prof. Dr. Ümit Arklan, Süleyman Demirel University, Chair
   Prof. Dr. Asaf Varol, Maltepe University and UTC, Permanent Member
   Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı, Abant İzzet Baysal University
   Prof. Dr. Hülya Önal, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
   Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, Hasan Kalyoncu University
   Prof. Dr. Gilman Senem Gençtürk Hızal, Başkent University Alternate Members:
   Prof. Dr. Ali Soylu, Pamukkale University
   Prof. Dr. Raci Taşçıoğlu, Atatürk University
10. During discussions on the location and date of the next ILDEK Council meeting, Near East University Faculty of Communication in Cyprus and Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Communication expressed interest in hosting. After presentations from the respective deans, it was decided that the 33rd ILDEK Council of Communication Faculty Deans meeting will be hosted by Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Communication in Çanakkale, with the date to be determined by the İLDEK Executive Committee.
11. It was resolved that the 34th ILDEK Council Meeting and the “CIDA-5th International Symposium on Communication in the Digital Age” event would be hosted by Near East University in Northern Cyprus in 2026.

İletişim Fakülteleri Dekanları Konseyi olarak bilinen 32. İLDEK Konsey toplantısı, 17-19 Ekim 2024 tarihler arasında Bolu Abant İzzet baysal Üniversitesi ev sahipliğinde gerçekleştirildi. Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’nde bulunmam münasebetiyle bu toplantıya yüz yüze katılamadım. Ama ZOOM üzerinden başından sonuna kadar sanal ortamda katılımcılarla beraber oldum.

İLDEK Konseyi Yürütme Kurulunun daimî üyesi olarak 2000’li yıllardan beri bu toplantıların 2005 yılı hariç (ABD’de bulunuyordum) tümüne yüz yüze (2024’te ZOOM üzerinden) katıldım. 

Ev sahibi Dekan Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı hocamız, mükemmel bir organizasyona imza attı.

Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Rektörü Sayın Prof. Dr. Mustafa Alişarlı hocamız ile çok eskilere dayanan bir tanışıklığımız var. Bu tanışıklık 2007-2008 yıllarında ben Siirt Üniversitesi Rektör Vekili olarak görev yaptığım yıllara kadar uzanıyor. Bunun haricinde 2017 yılında YÖKAK Dış Değerlendiricisi olarak Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesini ziyaret ettiğimizde de kendileri BAİBÜ’ne rektör olarak yeni atanmıştı. Kendileri BAİBÜ’sine önemli bir dinamizm ve ilerleme kazandırdığını biliyorum.

32. İLDEK Konseyi toplantımızı İletişim Fakültesi Dekanı Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı Hoca bir teklif olarak Rektör hocamıza götürdüklerinde, bu teklifi hemen kabul etmiş ve bu organizasyonun ev sahipliği için tüm imkânları seferber etmişti. Bu tür organizasyonlarda Rektörlüğün desteği çok büyük önem arz ediyor ve Sayın rektör gösterdiği misafirperverlikle ne kadar özverili davrandığını da göstermiş oluyordu.

Yükseköğretim Kalite Kurulu Başkanı Değerli Hocam Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak geçen yıl Munzur Üniversitesindeki İLDEK Konseyi toplantısına katılarak dekanları akreditasyon konusunda bilgilendirmişti. Bu yıl bir kez daha aramızda görmek istediğimizi kendilerine bildirdiğimizde, çok yoğun programlarına rağmen bu toplantıyı şereflendirerek, YÖKAK’taki akreditasyon bağlamında yaptıkları son çalışmaları bizlere aktardı.

Ümit hocam ile de tanışıklığımız çok eskilere dayanmaktadır. İkimizin akademik çalışmalar açıdan kesişen yollarımız mevcuttur. Ümit hocam ve ben yapay zekâ konularında çalışmalarımızı sürdürüyoruz. Akreditasyon çalışmalarının değerlendirilmesinde bundan böyle yapay zekadan yararlanma düşüncelerini bizlere aktardı.

İLDEK konseyinin önemli bir paydaşı olan Radyo Televizyon Yayıncıları Meslek Birliği (RATEM) eskiden beri olduğu gibi, toplantılarımıza renk katmaya devam etmektedirler. Bu yılki İLDEK Konseyi toplantımızda “Aklıma Bir Fikir Geldi Ödüllü Eserler Sergisini” tekrar açtılar. RATEM Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Mehmet Aydın Şerbetçioğlu, açılışta bir konuşma yaparak faaliyetlerini dekanlarımıza aktardılar.  RATEM Bilişim A.Ş. Genel Müdürü Yusuf Gürsoy Bey moderatörlüğünde “Radyo Televizyon Yayıncılığı ve Telif Hukuku” adıyla düzenledikleri panele, Yargıtay Onursal Ceza Dairesi Başkanı Ramazan Özkepir, Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Uzmanı Serpil Çınar, BAİBÜ’den Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Özgür Başyiğit ve RATEM Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi Zafer Beyaz panelist olarak katıldılar ve telif hakları ve yapay zekâ ile türetilen eserlerin telif haklarının değerlendirilmesini yaptılar.

İLDEK Konseyinin faaliyetlerinin başladığı 2000’li yıllardan beri Radyo ve Televizyon Üst Kurulu (RTÜK) daima bizlerle birlikte oldular ve faaliyetlerini bizlere aktardılar. Bu yılki toplantıya RTÜK Başkan Yardımcısı Deniz Güler katılarak sosyal medya ve olumsuz yayınlar konusunda ne tür tedbirler almaya çalıştıklarını anlattılar.

EBSCO Ankara Bölge Müdürü Ufuk Akdemir, araştırma veri tabanları konusunda bilgilendirme sunusu yaptılar ve etkinliğimize destek sağladılar.

Son yıllarda her toplantımızda akreditasyon bilgilendirme çalışmaları yapmaktayız. İletişim Fakültelerinin program bazındaki akreditasyon işlemleri İletişim Araştırmaları Derneği tarafından yürütülmektedir. İLAD Başkanı Prof. Dr. Aysel Aziz ve İLAD Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi Prof. Dr. Jale Sarmaşık, akreditasyon konusunda yaptıkları çalışmaları dekanlarımıza sundular.

Maltepe Üniversitesi Rektörü Prof. Dr. Edibe Sözen hocamız ise iletişimin sosyal boyutu ile ilgili bir konuşma yaptılar. 

Eskiden olduğu gibi gene içeriği dopdolu bir çalıştayı başarı ile tamamladık. Toplantı sonrasında İLDEK Konseyi Yürütme Kurulu, aşağıdaki üyelerden oluştu.

1. Prof. Dr. Ümit Arklan, Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Dekanı, Başkan

2. Prof. Dr. Asaf Varol, Maltepe Üniversitesi & UTC, İLDEK Konseyi Daimî Üyesi

3. Prof. Dr. Emre Tandırlı, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi, İletişim Fakültesi Dekanı

4. Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, Hasan Kalyoncu Üniversitesi, İletişim Fakültesi Dekanı

5. Prof. Dr. Hülya Önal, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi, İletişim Fakültesi Dekanı

6. Prof. Dr. Senem Gençtürk Hızal, Başkent Üniversitesi, İletişim Fakültesi Dekanı

Yedek Üyeliklere ise:

7. Prof. Dr. Ali Soylu, Pamukkale Üniversitesi, İletişim Fakültesi Dekanı

8. Prof. Dr. Raci Taşçıoğlu, Atatürk Üniversitesi, İletişim Fakültesi Dekanı

seçildiler.

33. İLDEK İletişim Fakülteleri Dekanları Konseyi toplantısının 2025 yılında Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Dekanlığı ev sahipliğinde yapılması kararlaştırıldı.

İLDEK Konseyi, İLAD ve Doğu Akdeniz Üniversitesi iletişim Fakültesi olarak 28-30 Kasım 2024 tarihleri arasında Kuzey Kıbrıs’ta 4. Uluslararası Dijital Çağda İletişim Sempozyumu (https://cidainternational.org/) için bildiri kabulünün devam ettiği ve iletişim fakülteleri dekanlarının kendi personelinin bu sempozyuma katılımlarının sağlanması önerisinde bulunuldu.

The Council of Deans of Communication Faculties (ILDEK) has been convening annually since 2000, hosted by the communication faculty of a university either in Turkey or abroad. The council is a platform dedicated to discussing the current state of communication faculties, updating curricula in line with evolving technologies, addressing employment issues faced by communication graduates, assessing the impact of social media on society, and ensuring that graduates of communication faculties under the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) can compete with their peers in other countries.

Following the establishment of the Higher Education Quality Board (YÖKAK) in 2016, ILDEK entered into a collaboration with the Association of Communication Research (ILAD) to facilitate the accreditation of communication faculty programs. ILDEK has increased the motivation of deans for accreditation by inviting YÖKAK presidents to its meetings. In recent years, ILDEK Council meetings have included accreditation workshops to encourage deans to enter this process swiftly.

In 2017, during the 25th meeting of communication faculty deans, hosted by Aydın Adnan Menderes University’s Faculty of Communication, it was decided to organize a symposium under ILDEK. The idea was thoroughly discussed at the 26th ILDEK Council meeting in 2018, hosted by Çukurova University in Adana. As a result, the council resolved in the fourth article of its final declaration to hold the first symposium on October 18-19, 2018, hosted by Mersin University. It was also decided that the symposium would be repeated every two years at different universities. The symposium was named the International Symposium on Communication in the Digital Age (CIDA) (https://cida.mersin.edu.tr/).

The second symposium was held from October 26-28, 2020, hosted by Izmir University of Economics (https://cida2020.ieu.edu.tr/).

The third CIDA symposium took place in Ankara under the coordination of the Faculty of Communication at Ankara University. This time, several communication faculties in Ankara formed a consortium to broaden the event’s impact. The consortium, which included Ankara University, Başkent University, Hacettepe University, and Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, as well as the related departments and programs of Çankaya University, Atılım University, and the Social Sciences University of Ankara, held the symposium from October 12-15, 2022, in Ankara (https://cidainternational.org/cida-2022-tr/).

The CIDA 2024 symposium will be held from November 28-30, 2024, hosted by Eastern Mediterranean University’s Faculty of Communication in Gazimağusa, Cyprus (https://cidainternational.org/). Talks with international universities have been initiated to organize future CIDA symposiums in other countries.

ILDEK aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of its operations, as well as the CIDA symposium, by forming an Advisory Board.

Looking ahead, the ILDEK Council has also set its sights on launching a journal under the name ILDEK within DergiPark. We believe that the Advisory Board will play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of this platform created by the deans of communication faculties.

The fact that papers accepted by our referees for presentation at CIDA 2024 will be published by the journals of various communication faculties is a testament to the solidarity of our deans under the ILDEK Council.

We extend our gratitude to all public institutions, organizations, and the deans of communication faculties for their contributions to ILDEK’s work. We seek your continued support and solidarity for a sustainable future for the ILDEK Council.

ILDEK Council Executive Board

The 32nd İLDEK Council meeting, attended by deans of communication faculties, will be held from October 17-19, 2024 (Thursday-Saturday), hosted by Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University. The İLDEK Council meeting has been held every year without interruption since 2000. For exactly 24 years, these meetings have been organized to discuss the current state of communication faculties, future projections, collaborations with stakeholders, the adaptation of curricula to evolving technological developments, and similar topics. The decisions made by the General Assembly of the İLDEK Council are conveyed to relevant official and private institutions as recommendations.

In addition to current deans and acting deans, former deans and rectors/vice-rectors who have previously served as deans of communication faculties can also attend the İLDEK Council meetings, which are held at a different university each year. If the current dean or acting dean is unable to attend the meeting, a deputy dean may be sent as a representative.

The Professional Union of Radio and Television Broadcasters (RATEM) is an important external stakeholder of the İLDEK Council and supports the meetings, organizes panels for students, and sponsors the event.

In previous years, participants in the İLDEK Council meetings have included the Presidency of Communications and its Regional Directorates, the Court of Cassation, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), the Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK), the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), the Ministry of National Education’s Board of Education and Discipline, TRT, RATEM, the Press Advertising Agency, provincial governorates, public prosecutor’s offices, national and local private radio and television stations, television program producers, media-communication agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) related to communication.

Since its establishment, YÖKAK has participated in our meetings in recent years at the presidency level as an important external stakeholder, providing informational conferences on the accreditation processes of communication faculties.

The Communication Research Association (İLAD) has continuously contributed to our meetings since the formation of the İLDEK Council. Since 2018, İLAD has organized informational sessions and accreditation training workshops on program accreditation at our meetings.

We look forward to your participation in the 32nd İLDEK Council meeting.

İLDEK COUNCIL Executive Committee