Study Visit from the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan to Türkiye
On 10–11 July 2025, the Directorate General of Innovation and Educational Technologies hosted a delegation from the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, Barysgul Kenges and Gulbarshin Nogaibayeva, for a two-day study visit in Ankara.
During the meetings with Director General Mustafa Canlı and Digital Skills Department Head Sümeyye Hatice Eral, the delegation was briefed on Türkiye’s digital transformation strategies in education and ongoing national initiatives in the field of educational technologies.
A major focus of the visit was the Future Classroom Lab (FCL) and the Innovative Classrooms Project, which showcase Türkiye’s model for creating flexible, technology-rich learning environments that promote collaboration, creativity, and student-centered learning. The delegation explored how these models integrate pedagogy, learning spaces, and technology to support teachers’ professional development and enhance digital skills.
The program included thematic presentations on major national and international initiatives such as eTwinning Türkiye, the Teachers’ Assembly (TEA) Project, the Dynamic Lesson Language (D3) Project, Scientix, STEM education, and EU-funded collaborations.
On the second day, the delegation visited innovation centers and FCL-based schools, including ETKİM, the Professional Learning Lab, and Cezeri Green Technology Vocational and Technical High School, promoting knowledge exchange and cooperation between Türkiye and Kazakhstan in developing innovative, skills-based learning environments.
Innovative Classrooms Inspire International Collaboration
Within the framework of the Harezmi Education Model—an interdisciplinary, project-based approach that enhances students’ problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity through technology integration and real-life learning—teachers and academics from Algeria visited several schools in Türkiye as part of the Lead Teacher Training Program, organized in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
During the field visit to Altındağ Mehmet Ali Hasan Coşkun Anatolian High School, the delegation explored the school’s Innovative Classroom and observed ongoing projects integrating technology and active learning methods. Representatives from the Directorate General of Secondary Education, the Directorate General of Innovation and Educational Technologies (DGIET), and TİKA also took part in the visit.
The DGIET introduced the national Innovative Classrooms Project, which aims to establish technology-enhanced learning environments across 81 provinces. Information was shared on digital infrastructure, classroom furniture and equipment installations, as well as teacher capacity-building and training activities.
Participants had the opportunity to see how the Innovative Classroom supports interdisciplinary and project-based learning through practices aligned with Harezmi, STEM, and Scientix approaches.
The visit strengthened cooperation between Türkiye and Algeria by promoting the exchange of good practices and highlighting how innovative learning spaces can inspire new educational initiatives globally.
Digital Ecosystem for Teacher Training Project Launched
The Digital Ecosystem for Teacher Training Project was officially launched with a program attended by Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, alongside Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye Jurgis Vilcinskas and UNICEF Representative Paolo Marchi.
Funded by the European Union under the IPA III Programme (2023–2026), the project is implemented by the Ministry of National Education in cooperation with UNICEF. It aims to strengthen teachers’ digital competencies and establish a flexible, innovative, and quality-oriented teacher training system.
The initiative focuses on developing a digital platform integrated with the Teacher Informatics Network (ÖBA), offering modular online training programs for teachers, school leaders, and education staff. Key actions include:
- Creating a Digital Competence Framework for Teachers aligned with European standards,
- Delivering digital training modules to reach over 200,000 teachers nationwide,
- Establishing a Teacher Learning Monitoring and Evaluation System, and
- Enhancing digital infrastructure with new content production labs and studios.
Through these efforts, the project contributes to building a sustainable digital teacher training ecosystem and advancing the digital transformation of Türkiye’s education system.
Author: Ayşe SAYLIK