2025–2026 Academic Year Education Performance Awards Presented
The Education Performance Awards, presented by Near East University Faculty of Dentistry to recognize the dedicated efforts of faculty members in education and to honor their contributions to students’ learning processes, were presented during the graduation oath ceremony of the 2025–2026 Academic Year graduates.
The third edition of the Education Performance Awards was held this year. Within the scope of the awards, faculty members and instructors who demonstrated the highest educational performance in theoretical, preclinical practical, and clinical education were recognized based on student feedback.
The Education Performance Award System was updated based on feedback
Within the scope of quality improvement processes at Near East University Faculty of Dentistry, the Education Performance Award System was updated at the end of the 2025–2026 Academic Year in line with feedback received from students and academic staff. With the updated system, award categories, evaluation criteria, and scoring principles were made more comprehensive and systematic.
All faculty members and instructors involved in theoretical, preclinical practical, and clinical education at the Faculty were directly considered as candidates for the awards. The awards were determined based on evaluations submitted by students regarding the faculty members and instructors from whom they received education or with whom they directly interacted during the relevant academic year.
For the theoretical course awards, student feedback collected after each end-of-block examination throughout the academic year was evaluated. An average student evaluation score was calculated for each academic staff member, and an impact score was determined by taking into account the number of theoretical teaching hours delivered during the academic year.
For the preclinical practical course awards, 164 students from the Turkish Program and 113 students from the English Program participated in the evaluation process. For the clinical education awards, 355 students from the Turkish Program and 223 students from the English Program voted. Thus, the awards were determined through a broad-based feedback process grounded in students’ direct educational experiences.
A student-centered approach to education was recognized
The Education Performance Awards take into account criteria such as delivering course content in line with learning objectives, encouraging student interest and participation, using course materials effectively, relating theoretical knowledge to clinical and practical applications, and maintaining open and supportive communication with students.
In the evaluation of preclinical practical education, criteria such as providing adequate guidance during practical sessions, offering constructive feedback, contributing to skill development, and effectively reflecting professional knowledge and experience in the practical learning process were emphasized. In clinical education, the evaluation focused on criteria such as effective mentoring, chairside guidance, contribution to clinical decision-making skills, fair and equal treatment of students, and support for students’ professional confidence.
In this respect, the Education Performance Awards aim not only to recognize high student satisfaction, but also to highlight student-centered education, effective guidance, contribution to professional development, and a culture of quality in education.
2025–2026 Academic Year Education Performance Awards
Within the scope of the 2025–2026 Academic Year Education Performance Awards, the faculty members who were entitled to receive awards in the categories of theoretical courses, preclinical practical courses, and clinical courses were announced. In the award list, the program to which each award corresponds is indicated in parentheses to avoid any ambiguity.
Theoretical Course Awards
En Etkili Eğitimci Ödülü (evaluated across both Turkish and English Dentistry Programs): Prof. Dr. A. Nil Altay
Eğitim Başarı Ödülü (Turkish Dentistry Program): Prof. Dr. Sevcan Kurtulmuş Yılmaz
Genç Eğitimci Başarı Ödülü (Turkish Dentistry Program): Assist. Prof. Dr. Tezcan Muslu Besim
Education Success Award (English Dentistry Program): Prof. Dr. Oğuz Ozan
Young Educator Success Award (English Dentistry Program): Assist. Prof. Dr. Dilan Kırmızı
Preclinical Practical Course Awards
Pratik Eğitime Üstün Katkı Ödülü (Turkish Dentistry Program): Assist. Prof. Dr. Gözde Canik
Practical Education Excellence Award (English Dentistry Program): Assist. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Sebai
Clinical Course Awards
Klinik Eğitime Üstün Katkı Ödülü (Turkish Dentistry Program): Assist. Prof. Dr. Dilan Kırmızı & Assist. Prof. Dr. İsmet Ersalıcı
Clinical Education Excellence Award (English Dentistry Program): Assist. Prof. Dr. Nildem İnönü & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özay Önöral
The awards were presented at the graduation oath ceremony
The Education Performance Awards were presented during the graduation oath ceremony of the 2025–2026 Academic Year graduates. Through this award system, the Faculty aims to make the contributions of faculty members and instructors to educational processes more visible, use student feedback for the continuous improvement of educational quality, and encourage good practices in teaching.
Near East University Faculty of Dentistry continues to improve its educational processes and strengthen its culture of excellence in education through a quality-oriented approach based on student feedback.
