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.