AVIATION MANAGEMENT MASTER AND DOCTORATE PROGRAMMES IN ANADOLU UNIVERSITY: ACADEMIC STAFF NECESSITIES OF AVIATION FACULTIES IN TURKEY

Transcription

1 AVIATION MANAGEMENT MASTER AND DOCTORATE PROGRAMMES IN ANADOLU UNIVERSITY: ACADEMIC STAFF NECESSITIES OF AVIATION FACULTIES IN TURKEY ABSTRACT: Dr. UNAL BATTAL ANADOLU UNIVERSITY TURKEY Anadolu University is one of the preeminent innovative universities in Turkey. Anadolu University, a state university, houses 12 faculties, 3 of which are distance education, 1 State Conservatory and 6 schools, 3 vocational schools, 5 graduate schools and 38 research centers and units. The University is proud to have implemented one of the most successful distance education programs in the world, which is taken as a model by many national and international educational institutions. As of Spring Semester-2011, the number of students in the 3 distance education faculties is The Graduate School of Social Sciences was founded in academic year and has completed a 29 years period of successful administration and service. Here in Graduate School of Social Sciences, we administer 37 masters and 17 doctoral programs, in total 54 graduate programs under twenty-four departments. Every year we enroll approximately 300 students and graduate 75 students, 55 of them with a master s degree and 20 with a doctoral degree. In this paper is mainly looking at the Aviation Management Master of Arts (MA) and Doctorate (PhD) programme of Anadolu University in Turkey. This paper is organized as follows: Firs section is interested in general description of Anadolu University and Graduate school of Social Sciences. In the next two sections are focuses on general information of aviation management MA and PhD programme. Final section is analyzing the aviation management programmes. KEYWORDS: Aviation, Management, Master, Doctorate 1. General Description of Anadolu University Anadolu University is one of the superior innovative universities in Turkey. Anadolu University, a state university, houses 12 faculties (first cycle), 3 of which are distance education, 1 State Conservatory and 6 schools (first cycle), 3 vocational schools (short cycle), 5 graduate schools (second & third cycle) and 38 research centers and units. The University is proud to have implemented one of the most successful distance education programs in the world, which is taken as a model by many national and international educational institutions. As of Spring Semester-2011, the number of students in the 3 distance education faculties is One of the major strengths of the University is the academic staffs who are dedicated to excellence in teaching and research in an academically and technologically enhanced environment. They in return, strive to pass on their knowledge and skills to their students in a dynamic and creative teaching environment. Students, at Anadolu University while enjoying an innovative and creative learning experience also enjoy cultural activities such as plays, concerts and

2 exhibitions. Students get a chance to meet and converse with many prominent artists, writers, and journalists who are invited to visit the campus. The staff and students also have access to sports facilities, tennis courts, and an indoor swimming pool. At Anadolu University, we are proud of our student-centred campus and services. Students are provided with health and food services in a modern and safe campus environment. The University also grants financial assistance to those in need. Table 1. General Info of Anadolu University Source: 2. General Information of Graduate School of Social Sciences The Graduate School of Social Sciences was established in academic year and has completed a 29 years period of successful administration and service. Here in Graduate School of Social Sciences, we administer 37 masters and 17 doctoral programs, in total 54 graduate programs under twenty-four departments. Every year we enroll approximately 300 students and graduate 75 students, 55 of them with a master s degree and 20 with a doctoral degree. The mission of the Graduate School of Social Sciences, which is based upon Anadolu University s vision, is to contribute to the universal scientific knowledge base, provide an international level of education and education related services,

3 develop and coordinate multidisciplinary programs that would meet needs of the environment (various stakeholders), initiate prominent researches and publications, engender individuals whose academic, social, cultural and personal features are at international levels. The strong organizational culture, the exemplary infrastructure, the ambition to pioneer and the organizational climate of Anadolu University, which has an important role in Turkey s higher education structure, give us strength in achieving the objectives of the Graduate School of Social Sciences. Besides, we would like to emphasize the privilege of living in Eskişehir, which we characterize as an ideal student city, as another important source of motivation. 3. Profile of Civil Aviation Management Master of Arts (MA) Programme Individuals holding an undergraduate degree in civil aviation management, tourism, management, economics, industrial engineering etc., academicians, employees working at various aviation companies and organizations such as airlines, airports and ground handling services and especially those involved in managerial duties may study in the master's program in civil aviation management. This programme intends to include all kinds of practical and theoretical aspects of the field of study and it aims to enable students to get information through scientific research, analysis and interpretation of relevant information to furnish students with theoretical and practical knowledge of business management in aviation. Graduates can work at airlines, airports, other aviation companies, and government bodies as an expert. They can also be employed as an instructor at aviation schools. Depending on the degrees awarded, theoretical or practical courses taken as part of a degree (completed or not completed) may lead to recognition of these as prior learning by the programme administration. The students who have taken courses in another institution in Turkey or abroad can ask for credit and grade transfer. The executive boards of relevant programme will decide on the courses to be transferred covering students' entire academic program once and for all with the condition that the request for transfer be made within the first week of the academic year, the requests cannot be repeated. A student is required to successfully complete a minimum of 7 courses, not less than 52,5 ECTS credits, take the required seminar and the Field Specialization courses and write and defend a Master s Thesis, have a minimum GPA of 2.50/4.00 and no letter grades lower than CC, YT and no YZ, DZ grades. A variety of assessment methods such as mid-term(s), assignment(s), exercise(s), project(s), practice(s), and a final exam are implemented in the programme. Assessment methods may include classical test(s), multiple-choice test(s), homework(s), performance evaluation(s), and product evaluation(s). In order to graduate from the programme, cumulative GPA must be at least A course grade is constituted by evaluating these elements and given by using letters. Letter grades and their associated coefficients are as follows; A student is required to successfully complete a minimum of 7 courses, not less than 52,5 ECTS credits, take the required seminar and the Field Specialization courses and write and defend a Master s Thesis, have a minimum GPA of 2.50/4.00 and no letter grades lower than CC, YT and no YZ, DZ grades.

4 3.1. Key Learning Outcomes Upon the completion of the programme, the students will be able to; a) Develop and deepen their knowledge in field of air transport management or related fields, based on the knowledge they acquired at the undergraduate level b) be aware of new and emerging practices in the field, and analyze and learn them when it is necessary c) comprehend the interdisciplinary interactions between the field of air transportation and other disciplines, and make effective and efficient use of these interactions d) implement the knowledge using limited or missing data through scientific methods, and integrate them with knowledge from other disciplines e) use theoretical and practical knowledge regarding air transportation and related fields in business solutions f) deal with problems in air transportation using scientific research methods g) independently conduct a scientific study which requires expertise in the field of air transportation and relevant fields h) develop strategic approaches in order to solve unpredictable complex problems they encounter in air transportation and its collateral fields, and generate solutions by taking responsibility i) generate new knowledge using their data-processing skills, and improve their implementation, control, feedback and evaluation skills j) lead multidisciplinary teams; develop solutions and take responsibility in complex situations k) complete the knowledge regarding air transportation and its branches using scientific methods, and integrate knowledge in related disciplines l) assess knowledge regarding related branches of their field with a critical approach; compare, analyze and synthesize this knowledge and lead problemsolving processes m) present processes and results of their studies, and stages and results of other related studies in the field in oral or written form at national and international settings with a systematic approach n) share developments, problems and possible solution alternatives related to the field with social stakeholders, and manage optimal solutions within a scientific framework o) use a foreign language at minimum B2 General Level of the European Language Portfolio to communicate effectively in oral and written form regarding the subjects in their field p) use computer software and information and communication technologies at the level required by their field q) collect, interpret and use data regarding air transportation and relevant fields; comply with social, scientific, professional, cultural and ethical values in these processes; and assume a leading role for the preservation of these values r) develop strategies, policies and action plans in the field of air transportation, and put them into practice in the professional field; and assess the results obtained within the framework of quality processes

5 3.2. Course Structure Chart Table 2. Course Structure Chart with Credits Source: 4. Profile of Civil Aviation Management Doctorate (Ph.D) Programme Academicians and employees work at various aviation companies and organizations such as airports, airlines and ground handling services, especially those involved in managerial duties, are the target audience of Civil Aviation Management Doctorate Program. This programme intends to include all kinds of practical and theoretical aspects of the field of study and it aims to enable students to conduct research and explain

6 scientific issues to furnish students with the skills to analyze and synthesize issues in the field. Depending on the degrees awarded, theoretical or practical courses taken as part of a degree (completed or not completed) may lead to recognition of these as prior learning by the programme administration. The students who have taken courses in another institution in Turkey or abroad can ask for credit and grade transfer. The executive boards of relevant programme will decide on the courses to be transferred covering students' entire academic program once and for all with the condition that the request for transfer be made within the first week of the academic year, the requests cannot be repeated. A student with an MA/MS degree is required to successfully complete a minimum of 7 courses, not less than 52,5 ECTS credits on the other hand student without an MA/MS degree enrolling in the doctorate programs is required to successfully complete a minimum of 14 courses not less than 105 ECTS credits. Both groups of students are required take the required Field Specialization course, pass the qualifying exam, have an accepted dissertation proposal and successfully compete doctorate dissertation work with a minimum of 60 ECTS credits, have a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 and no letter grades lower than CC and no YT, DZ grades Key Learning Outcomes Upon the completion of the programme, the students will be able to; a) have up-to-date and advanced knowledge at the level of expertise by conducting original research in the fied; acquire in-depth knowledge of original definitions and concepts in the field of air transportation based on their master's studies b) have full knowledge about local and international information resources to improve and deepen their advanced level of conceptual and practical knowledge in the field of air transportation. c) gain in-depth knowledge about recent developments in air transportation d) comprehend multi-disciplinary interactions, and reach original solutions using high level of analysis and understanding on new and complex thoughts, discussions and developments e) assess developments and knowledge in air transportation, develop a new method or a technological product/process f) design and carry out research on an original topic related to air transportation g) conduct a comprehensive study independently by developing a new method or a technological product/process bringing an innovation to science and technology, or implement a known method to a new area h) be aware of scientific, technological, social, cultural and ethical developments in air transportation i) contribute to the literature of science and technology by publishing academic studies at respected academic journals j) identify developments and problems in the field; develop critical thinking to solve these problems; and use cognitive strategies effectively in problemsolving and decision-making processes k) be aware of lifelong learning philosophy and opportunities, and evaluate related resources to monitor effectively current developments in air transportation

7 l) share original ideas, developments, and scientific studies related with air transportation in oral and written form at the national and international scientific and social platforms with relevant stakeholders m) govern social relationships in activities related with air transportation, and manage changes in such relationships n) communicate with experts effectively regarding critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of ideas and developments in air transportation o) use a foreign language at minimum C1 level, as defined by the European Language Portfolio to communicate in oral and written form with experts, government bodies and scientific societies p) contribute to the development of positive perceptions regarding air transportation in the society by publishing research and organizing scientific, social and cultural events that encourage scientific and professional progress in the field q) undertake the responsibility to lead the public and private sector institutions in air transportation r) evaluate scientific, technological, social and cultural developments; and contribute to the solution of common social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems with the sense of scientific objectivity and ethical responsibility 4.2. Course Structure Chart with Credits Table 3. Course Structure Chart with Credits

8 Source: 5. ECTS Credit Allocation Based on the Student Workload Needed in Order to Achieve Expected Learning Outcomes ECTS is a learner-centered system for credit accumulation and transfer based on the transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes. It aims to facilitate planning, delivery, evaluation, recognition and validation of qualifications and units of learning as well as student mobility. ECTS is widely used in formal higher education and can be applied to other lifelong learning activities. ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes. Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do after successful completion of process of learning. They relate to level descriptors in national and European qualifications frameworks. Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes. 60 ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a fulltime year of formal learning (academic year) and the associated learning outcomes. At Anadolu University, student workload is about 1,500 hours for an academic year, whereby one credit corresponds to 25 hours of work. Anadolu University has used ECTS credits as its only credit accumulation system starting academic years. In the academic year ECTS credits for each course have been allocated by the ECTS Credit Committees of each program. Furthermore, an ECTS Credit Evaluation Questionnaire has been prepared by experts and was administered to students at the end of each course reevaluating the credits and assigning new ECTS credits if necessary. The questionnaire is administered for each course newly offered for the purpose of reevaluation of its ECTS credits and dependent upon the results new ECTS values are assigned. The University Administration has decided to administer the said questionnaire every 5 years for all the courses offered to ensure objective evaluation of the ECTS credit assignments. Anadolu University was selected as one of the pilot universities for the National Qualification Framework for Higher Education in Turkey program. 6. Academic Staff Necessities of Aviation Faculties In Turkey Due to the rapidly growing air transport sector in the last decade in Turkey has created a need for qualified personnel. Qualified personnel to meet the needs of the sector in recent years the number of universities have remained poor. A number of courses to meet the need for qualified personnel studied. However, courses that staff in raising the qualifications required by the air transport has been insufficient. Qualified personnel must be trained in the need for a large part of the university. In this context, a large number of Turkish aviation schools were opened in the last decade. The oldest of these schools was established in 1986 and the Anatolian University Civil Aviation School. In addition, a large number of state and private universities opened departments for the management of air transport. Table 4 shows the civil aviation management related universities in 2011 in Turkey. There are 11 state and 10 private universities and 10 of them give 4 years education and 11 of them 2 years.

9 Table 4. Civil Aviation Management Related Universities in Turkey State Universities Private Universities 4 years 2 years 4 years 2 years Erciyes University Mugla University Ozyegin University Istanbul Gelisim University Kocaeli University Atatürk University THK University Okan University Mustafa Kemal Gümüşhane Atılım University* Kapadokya vocational high University University school Medeniyet Akdeniz University Istanbul Ticaret University University* Ondokuz Mayıs Beykoz Lojistik vocational University* high school Erzincan University Nisantası vocational high school Anadolu University Arel University* *these 4 universities did not start education. Academic staff of these schools is not enough. For this reason, the industry cannot be in need of qualified personnel training. First of all academic staff of these schools should be strengthened. To meet this need, the only master's and doctoral programs in Turkey is Anadolu University. However, these programs are not recognized the Turkish higher education system. This program to date has graduated to the following table. Table 5. Aviation Management Master and Doctorate Graduates Civil aviation master's degree graduates 42 Civil aviation non-thesis master's degree 2 Civil aviation doctorate graduates Conclusions The most important input of the air transport sector is skilled labor force. The universities can meet this need with qualified academic staff. For this reason, the universities must meet the needs of qualified academic staff. Anadolu University Aviation management programmes can meet this need. Because this programmes has sufficient academic staff. The guidance of these ideas can be made as follows: First, the air transport sector, the need for qualified personnel should be decided annually. According to this need, the number of schools and quotas should be reviewed. Employment planning should be made and discussed with the opening of new schools. Academic staff should inventory and identified the need for future staff. Thus, master s and doctorate programs should plan quotas. Anadolu University has been recognized by the European Union Credit System. Anadolu University programs therefore should be given in Turkish higher education system. So more qualified students apply for the programs can be increased. Social rights of academic staff should be improved by the government. These improvements will allow the employment of more qualified academics. Thus the quality of education in universities can be increased. Final word: Qualified Academic Staffs = Qualified Graduates = rapidly growing air transportation

10 SOURCES: