The Biology Department's External Stakeholder Meeting was successfully held in the Meeting Hall of the Faculty of Science at Mersin University. Organized in conjunction with the PROGRAM AND TEACHING PLAN MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, the meeting marked a significant step toward the department's goals of improving the quality of education, strengthening applied training, and developing collaboration with industry. A broad group of participants attended the meeting, which addressed the department's current activities, strategic goals, and future vision.

The meeting was attended by key representatives from relevant sectors, in addition to the department's academic staff. Department Head Prof. Dr. Süphan KARAYTUĞ; Deputy Department Heads Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yusuf HÜSEYİNOĞLU and Assistant Professor Harun GÜLBUDAK; and faculty members Prof. Dr. Rıza BİNZET and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fazilet Özlem Albayrak were also present. Among the external stakeholders were: Dr. Bülent HALISDEMİR (Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Head of Environmental Protection and Control Department), Dr. Cennet ARSLAN (Mersin Agricultural Quarantine Directorate), Graduate Representative Biologist Emrah KILIÇ (Mersin City Hospital, Senior Biologist), and Student Representative Nurseli YILDIZ were also present. Additionally, Associate Professor Dr. Taylan BOZOK (Mersin University Faculty of Medicine), Orhan KARAKAYA (DKMP Mersin Provincial Directorate), and high school biology teachers Dr. Hayri Ertuğrul ÇETE and Dr. Şafak KAYA from related sectors were unable to attend the meeting due to personal excuses.

Improvements in the Curriculum and Shared Views

At the opening of the meeting, Department Head Prof. Dr. Süphan KARAYTUĞ thanked the stakeholders for their participation and provided information about the academic and scientific activities carried out in the department. One of the important agenda items was the presentation of the Deputy Department Head, Dr. Member Harun GÜLBUDAK presented improvements to the curriculum. The presentation detailed changes to the four-year curriculum planned in previous years, particularly the addition of laboratory exercises to first-year courses such as Basic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics for Biologists.

During the meeting, all stakeholders shared the consensus that hands-on laboratory courses should be increased to enhance students' professional competencies.

Contributions and Collaboration Proposals from Industry Representatives

At the meeting, industry representatives presented important suggestions to enhance students' hands-on training and field experience:

Dr. Bülent HALISDEMİR stated that project-based support could be obtained from organizations such as MTSO and the Metropolitan Municipality to strengthen department laboratories. He also stated that they would fully support organizing technical trips for students to landfills and water treatment plants. He emphasized the need to develop joint projects in the field of climate change.

Dr. Cennet ARSLAN suggested that technical trips could be organized for students to the Mersin Agricultural Quarantine Laboratories. He particularly emphasized the importance of covering molecular techniques such as microscope use, PCR, and bioinformatics in practical courses in professional life.

Emrah KILIÇ expressed support for this request, stating that students who want to work in hospitals need more intensive hands-on laboratory training.

Student Representative Nurseli YILDIZ also expressed her hope for increased practical courses on behalf of the students.

Future Meetings and Collaboration Perspective

At the end of the productive meeting, it was decided to include the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO) and other relevant civil society organizations as stakeholders in the upcoming meetings.

Thanks to the strong network of industry representatives and external stakeholders, the Mersin University Department of Biology is resolutely advancing toward its goal of training well-equipped and competent biologists who meet the needs of the times.