A First By AGU at Universities in Turkey and the World

Abdullah Gül University (AGU) started a practice which will be an example and model for universities in Turkey and the world. With this practice, students will receive a separate transcript called "Non-Academic Transcript" (NAT) when they graduate. This transcript will document students' communication skills, social skills and various competences such as teamwork. In this way, the "Non-Academic Transcript" to be taken with a diploma will be students' reference for internship and professional life.

The "Non-Academic Transcript" project to be applied for the first time at universities in Turkey and the world has been developed by a team composed of the AGU Dean of Students Office, the Youth Factory and students. The "Non-Academic Transcript" will be given along with the diploma and academic transcript when students graduate.

Social activities, organizations, projects, domestic and international events which students attend during their university life will be observed. A database will be created and data obtained will be archived in this database. Using the archived information, an original document with differing content will be prepared for every student, which shows skills developed by students during their higher education and the activities in which they have gained those skills.

based on these observations, students' social and emotional skills will be evaluated and results will be put on the transcript. Along with their diplomas, the "Non-Academic Transcript" approved by the university will help students as a reference when they want to do internship at a company they choose or find a suitable job after graduation.

The "Non-Academic Transcript" will also help companies find qualified employees.

Asst. Prof. Hande Gürel, Dean of Students, said that employers want to work with individuals who have different skills and prefer those who have teamwork, communication and social skills.

Asst. Prof. Gürel stated that the "Non-Academic Transcript" would document students' activities and said: "This transcript will be a trusted document approved by the university and include competences gained by students. The transcript will give students an advantage as they will be able to show a tangible document to employers."

Asst. Prof. Gürel also added that the transcript is the first of its kind in the world and Turkey and that other universities do not have this unique document.

Aytaç Uzunlas, Youth Worker and Eurodesk Contact Person at the AGU Youth Factory, said that in the future students will choose their jobs using the "Non-Academic Transcript" rather than looking for jobs.

Uzunlas added: "All universities want their students to find jobs when they graduate.  What we want for our students is that they choose their jobs rather than looking for them. We want them to choose jobs where they can fully improve their knowledge, skills and attitudes, in fact their competences, or where they can obtain competences they would like to develop. We believe that our students will be able to choose their jobs with this document in the future. Because in a job announcement, required skills are listed, such as fluency in a foreign language, teamwork, working in a multicultural environment. The business sector is looking for these kinds of skills. We want to prepare our students beforehand."

hamdi Burak Usul, freshman at Computer Engineering and one of the students who were in the team realizing the "Non-Academic Transcript", said that he will be able to show all activities which he has done during his university life and which does not appear on his diploma thanks to this document when he tries to get a job.

Usul added: "If I run a project or join one, I will have this document signed by AGU proving that I have played an active role there rather than just standing."

Halil İbrahim Bilgin, also a part of the same team from the Computer Engineering, said: "This transcript is a document encouraging us, students, to join volunteer events on the campus and take roles in these events that improve social skills. Students will have a document showing their non-academic successes. In this way, volunteer activities will also be official."

Berkay Güncan, student of Mechanical Engineering who involved in planning, programming and system of the project, said that they programmed a system for the project and students will be able to get feedback when they enter the system.

Güncan said: "When one enters one's activities into the system, s/he can get feedback. It is possible to see summaries. Supposing that you have participated at international events a lot but not at events improving communication skills or digital competences. You can see this on the system and develop yourself accordingly. That's to say, one can do self-criticism and realize areas open for development."

Stating that with the transcript they will be able to prove that they have taken part in the activities they claim to have done during university, Güncan added:

"We have all prepared CVs until today. We have already applied for internships at companies, and they receive only CVs or transcripts. The "Non-Academic Transcript" is something that combines both. Approved by the university, the document allows us to prove our activities at the university."

The meticulously-created "Non-Academic Transcript" practice is now in effect and the first graduates of AGU will receive it next year.