Communication educators from Turkey and Azerbaijan meet

The Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication International Communication Days (İFİG) took place in Azerbaijan this year. The theme for this year's International Communication Days, which has been organized regularly by Üsküdar University for twelve years, was determined as Media and Communication Studies in the Digital Age. More than 300 papers were presented at the symposium, which was held in person and online between May 14-16 in cooperation with the Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication and the Baku State University Faculty of Journalism. More than 150 academics, mostly from Turkey and Azerbaijan, gathered in Baku to present at in-person sessions. More than 150 scientists presented their papers in online sessions. In the symposium, where all sessions were interactive and attended by a large number of viewers, the media of the digital age was discussed in its various aspects. 

It was noteworthy that digitalization and artificial intelligence were at the main axis of the symposium held in Baku within the scope of the 12th İFİG. A significant portion of the papers presented questioned the transformation and change the media is undergoing under the influence of digitalization. It was remarkable that the subject of most of the papers was artificial intelligence. This reveals how transformative an effect artificial intelligence has begun to show in the media sector. There are various advantages to the introduction of artificial intelligence in the media sector, but it is understood that it is equally worrying. It is possible to multiply the advantages and minimize the disadvantages. As long as media professionals are trained in accordance with changing and developing conditions. 

In this context, some of the papers presented at the symposium focused on how the media professionals of the future should be trained. In particular, the positive and negative aspects of the use of artificial intelligence in the field of media and communication were discussed in detail by both academics and media professionals. Media professionals pointed out that artificial intelligence is rapidly entering the sector and that various segments of the sector will be directed by artificial intelligence in the near future. In this context, the focus was on what kind of education the journalist of the future should receive and what qualifications they should possess. Academics teaching in the field of media and communication, in relation to the findings of industry professionals, stated that changes should be made in communication education in line with the requirements. In this context, it was pointed out that the curricula applied in universities providing communication education need to be updated as soon as possible in line with the needs of the sector and technological developments. While mentioning the contributions of the accreditation process in Turkey to the transformation of education and training in line with developing conditions, the necessity for Azerbaijani universities to be included in this process was emphasized.

The interaction between academics from various countries at the symposium was also quite important. Academics gave examples regarding journalism and communication education in their own countries and focused on the requirements. Perhaps one of the most important outcomes of the symposium was the meeting and sharing of Turkish and Azerbaijani communication academics. Academics from both countries shared their experiences by giving examples from their own countries regarding communication education. Based on these exchanges, they focused on the projects they could carry out together in the future process. Although both countries have differences, their similarities are much greater. Therefore, it is of great importance for academics from both countries to cooperate in studies regarding both communication education and the development of communication sciences. 

The Azerbaijani media also showed great interest in the Media and Communication Studies in the Digital Age Symposium. High-level representatives of the media attended the opening ceremony of the symposium. The interest of journalists in the three-day sessions was impressive. They made presentations, took recordings, and conducted interviews with academics. The intense interest of the media can be evaluated as proof of how much such a symposium is needed in Azerbaijan. There is a significant transformation in the media with digital technologies. It is necessary to renew in line with developing technologies. It is necessary to take precautions today so as not to be caught unprepared for tomorrow. For this, it is important to analyze, understand, talk about, and discuss today very well, and to direct the future together in the most accurate way. 

The 12th International Communication Days / Media and Communication Studies in the Digital Age Symposium can also be considered an important academic sharing environment in terms of understanding today's media and making the media of the future strong.