The workshop titled “Best Practices in AI-Themed Education” was held through the
collaboration of Erzurum Technical University (ETU) and the Technical Universities Union
(TU12).
Organized this year by the ETU Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence
Technologies Coordination Office under the theme “Artificial Intelligence in Education and
Recent Developments,” the workshop addressed current advancements in the use of artificial
intelligence in educational processes as well as the ongoing digital transformation in higher
education.
The opening program, held at the Prof. Dr. Muammer Yaylalı Conference Hall, was attended
by ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak along with Bursa Technical University Rector Prof.
Dr. Naci Çağlar, Eskişehir Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Adnan Özcan, Gebze
Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Hacı Ali Mantar, İskenderun Technical University
Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Duruel, Istanbul Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan
Mandal, İzmir Institute of Technology Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Baran, Karadeniz Technical
University Rector Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Çuvalcı, Konya Technical University Rector Prof. Dr.
Osman Nuri Çelik, Middle East Technical University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Ender
Ciğeroğlu, Sivas University of Science and Technology Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kul, Yıldız
Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik, as well as academics and students.
Rector Çakmak: Artificial Intelligence Is a Governance Issue for Universities
Delivering the opening speech of the workshop, ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak
emphasized that artificial intelligence is not merely a technological development, but also a
field of pedagogical, ethical, and institutional transformation for higher education institutions.
Çakmak stated that artificial intelligence introduces a new paradigm affecting all components
of universities, from education and research to institutional decision-making processes and
academic production. He noted that the main issue in higher education is not simply the use of
new tools, but rather how these technologies should be governed within the framework of
human agency, academic integrity, data security, and ethical responsibility.
Highlighting ETU’s approach to artificial intelligence, Çakmak explained that the university
does not view AI merely as an effort to adapt to technology, but as an opportunity to further
strengthen its digital transformation process. In this context, awareness training programs
have been organized for academic staff and students, institutional principles regarding AI use
have been established, and an ethics-based understanding of AI utilization has been adopted.
Referring to the university’s in-house artificial intelligence agent, “ETÜ Bilge,” Çakmak
stated that the system aims to make institutional knowledge more accessible and secure,
emphasizing that artificial intelligence should be considered not as a decision-maker, but as a
decision-support mechanism.
Rector Mantar: Artificial Intelligence Is Not the Subject of a Single Discipline

Speaking at the opening program, Gebze Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Hacı Ali
Mantar stated that artificial intelligence should not be regarded solely as a technology limited
to computer science or engineering fields.
Mantar underlined that artificial intelligence is a transformative field cutting horizontally
across multiple disciplines and emphasized that higher education institutions must prepare
students for this new era. He stressed that instead of banning artificial intelligence,
universities should encourage its conscious and effective use, highlighting the importance of
equipping students with the skills to use, question, and verify AI-generated outputs correctly.
Pointing out that educational approaches at universities are changing, Mantar noted that in the
future education model, academics will increasingly assume guiding and mentoring roles in
addition to their traditional role as knowledge providers. He also stated that artificial
intelligence would make significant contributions in many areas, from assessment and
evaluation processes to research activities.
Prof. Dr. Engin: Humans First, Then Artificial Intelligence
Prof. Dr. Şeref Naci Engin, a faculty member at the Faculty of Engineering of Yıldız
Technical University, also emphasized in his speech that the human factor remains decisive in
the effective use of artificial intelligence technologies.
Engin stated that although artificial intelligence is a powerful cognitive tool, its productive
use is directly related to users’ intellectual competence, critical thinking skills, and ethical
approach. He stressed that human beings must remain at the center of technology.
He further noted that students should learn not only how to use artificial intelligence tools, but
also how to question, verify, and evaluate the information generated by these tools within the
framework of academic integrity. Engin added that AI literacy is becoming increasingly
important in higher education.
Workshop Continued with Thematic Sessions
Following the opening program, the workshop continued with sessions in which best practices
regarding the use of artificial intelligence in educational processes were shared. Presentations
delivered by academics addressed AI applications in education, digital learning experiences,
and transformation processes in higher education from various perspectives. At the
concluding evaluation session, participants also shared recommendations for the future.
Directorate of Corporate Communications and Promotion 18 May 2026