One of the most important educational initiatives for raising awareness and building skills on climate issues and sustainable development, under the project “Green Transformation Training Module”, has successfully completed its first two phases. The project is being implemented in partnership with Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and the University of Tetova, specifically the Faculty of Food Technology and Nutrition. Its goal was to address key topics such as climate change, the Green Deal, green technologies, and sustainable development, directly involving students.
The project coordinator for North Macedonia, Prof. Dr. Erhan Sulejmani, who is also a professor at the Faculty of Food Technology and Nutrition, emphasized that the first two modules have been successfully completed. “In the first module, a basic training (online) was conducted: in this phase, a group of students from the University of Tetova participated, who were introduced to the basic concepts of green transformation through an online platform. This lasted for 4 weeks and included 32 hours of instruction. The second module was an advanced training (face-to-face): the top 20 participants from the first phase took part in an intensive one-week training at the University of Tetova. The program deepened knowledge in more advanced topics such as green industrial policies and the practical implementation of green technologies”, – stated Prof. Dr. Erhan Sulejmani.
The project manager from the Republic of Turkey, Dr. Dilvin Ipek, emphasized that the third module will soon begin, where students will have the opportunity to gain practical experience at some of the most successful companies in Turkey. “As part of the third module, professional internships will take place in Çanakkale, Turkey. The most successful students will participate in a 10-day practical training at some of the most renowned companies in the field of green transformation in Çanakkale, such as Kale Group, Dardanel, and Doğanlar Holding. Through this program, students will gain concrete knowledge about the functioning of green processes in the industrial sector,” said Dr. Dilvin Ipek.
All participants in the first two modules were awarded internationally recognized certificates, approved by the Turkish accreditation institution TÜRKAK. The certificate distribution ceremony was attended by the Vice-Rector for International Relations of UT, Prof. Dr. Salajdin Salihi, the Vice-Rector for Science, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, the Dean of the Faculty of Food Technology and Nutrition, Prof. Dr. Xhezahir Idrizi, the coordinator of the Program Coordination Office in Skopje (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency) TIKA, Mrs. Fevziye Şeyma Babayiğit, as well as professors and students.
This project marks an excellent example of international cooperation in the fields of education, technology, and sustainable development, and serves as a model that is expected to expand in the future with more programs and participants from the region.
