by Armağan Ateşkan, Coordinatior of BTLSC, Bilkent University, Türkiye.
Bilkent University, established in 1984 as Türkiye’s first private, non-profit university, today hosts more than 12,000 students and over 700 faculty members across 10 faculties. Within this vibrant academic community, the Teaching and Learning Support Centre (BTLSC) serves as a hub where faculty and students come together. Our mission is to strengthen teaching practices, foster student success, and contribute to a culture of continuous growth and innovation in learning.
Who We Are
The BTLSC is a centralised unit serving all faculties and schools since 2019. Our mission is to support faculty in adopting effective, student-centred practices and to equip students with academic skills and strategies that enhance both performance and wellbeing.
Our team brings together expertise in pedagogy, educational technology, counselling, and student support. Although modest in size (just two members), we work in close collaboration with other key units at Bilkent, such as the Academic Student Coordination Unit, Bilkent Educational Technology Support, and the Psychological Counselling and Development Centre. This network allows us to offer comprehensive and well-integrated services.
What We Do for Faculty
Faculty development lies at the heart of our work. Each September, new colleagues are welcomed through a structured orientation that combines practical information with guidance on student-centred pedagogy and educational technology. During the academic year, we organise workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics, including universal design for learning, alternative assessment, and mental health awareness.
One initiative that faculty particularly value is our Faculty Conversation Hour, where colleagues gather to share teaching experiences, challenges, and strategies. In recent years, we have also addressed emerging themes such as trauma-informed teaching, neurodiversity, and the role of AI in education. We also provide one-to-one consultations. These programmes not only offer knowledge but also build a sense of community among instructors.
What We Do for Students
For students, our services extend well beyond traditional study skills. We offer a series of academic skills seminars on time management, note-taking, effective communication, and exam preparation. At the same time, we acknowledge the personal dimensions of learning. Through our “Life Journeys at University” sessions, we open up conversations about issues such as loneliness, exam anxiety, and cognitive distortions, while also inviting alumni to reflect on their own “Life at Bilkent.”
Our Peer Tutoring programme is another cornerstone, allowing trained students to support their peers in first-year and language courses. This not only benefits the tutees but also develops the leadership and communication skills of the tutors themselves. In addition, workshops on motivation and mindfulness, especially for preparatory-year students, help foster resilience and well-being.
Looking Forward
The strength of the BTLSC lies in its adaptability. Higher education is evolving rapidly, and we see our role as helping the university community navigate this change with creativity and confidence. Sometimes this means providing practical tools, sometimes it means creating opportunities for dialogue, and often it is about bridging the needs of students and faculty in one shared space.
The BTLSC is more than a support unit. It is a hub for connection, innovation, and professional growth. By investing in both teaching and learning, we aim to contribute to a culture of excellence that benefits the entire Bilkent community.
Armağan Ateşkan, Coordinatior of BTLSC, Bilkent University, Türkiye.
