FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
San Diego State University First to Forge Ties with Turkish University
CONTACT: Renee Hix, (619) 594-5204, Rhix@mail.sdsu.edu
SAN DIEGO, Friday, April 27, 2000 - In sync with President Clinton's executive memorandum last week calling for the federal government to increase the number and diversity of students studying abroad, San Diego State University and Anadolu University, located in Eskisehir, Turkey, are forging ties through an educational exchange agreement between the two institutions.
Stephen L. Weber, president of SDSU, and Dr. Engin AtaÁ, chancellor of Anadolu University, will finalize the agreement on May 1, 2000. SDSU is the first American university to form an exchange with Anadolu University.
"Anadolu University is very similar to SDSU as it is one of the largest universities in Turkey with approximately 30,000 students," said Weber. "With an excellent distance education program that has students throughout Turkey and Europe, we can exchange a wealth of ideas that will benefit both universities and their students. Providing our students with a global education and study abroad opportunities is one of most important charges at SDSU."
The exchange was initiated by SDSU professor Mark Siprut, who was a visiting professor at Anadolu University in 1995.
"The exchange agreement is being initiated between faculty teaching in the graphic design areas at both institutions, but will be campus-wide with students and faculty in all disciplines being able to participate," said Siprut.
Anadolu University is one of the mega-universities in the world, with its 12 faculties - three of which are distance education - nine colleges, one state conservatory, nine institutes and 16 research centers. It has one of the largest distance education programs in the world, with approximately 600,000 students enrolled.
San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, it has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 76 areas, master's degrees in 59 areas and doctorates in 13. The more than 30,000 students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with professors and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, log onto www.sdsu.edu.
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