The “Mathematics and Life Symposium”, held at Near East University, comprehensively addressed the multifaceted impact of mathematics, from education to daily life, with the participation of academics, teachers, and alumni.
Mathematics is not only the language of numbers and formulas, it is also one of the most powerful ways of thinking, creating, and making sense of life. The “Mathematics and Life Symposium”, carried out at Near East University, which ranks among the top 500 universities in the world, explored the multifaceted impact of mathematics on education and daily life.
the “Mathematics and Life Symposium”, which was carried out in collaboration between the Department of Mathematics at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Primary School Mathematics Teaching at the Atatürk Faculty of Education, took place at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center. Bringing together academics, teachers, and alumni under one roof, the symposium was carried out in two sessions. Many topics, ranging from problems encountered in educational processes to teaching practice, from academic career journeys to experiences in school environments, were discussed from various perspectives.
The symposium, which began with a moment of silence and the voicing of National Anthem, featured opening speeches by Prof. Dr. Evren Hınçal, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Head of the Department of Mathematics, and Prof. Dr. Murat Tezer, Head of the Department of Primary School Mathematics Teaching, Atatürk Faculty of Education. The symposium concluded with a question-and-answer session, and all participants received certificates of attendance.
A Contemporary Perspective on Mathematics Education…
The first session, chaired by Prof. Dr. Evren Hınçal, addressed current approaches and field experiences in mathematics education. In her presentation titled “Expectations from New Teachers, Common Mistakes, and Supervision Experiences”, Specialist Hacer Muratoğlu shared fundamental shortcomings encountered in the teaching profession and suggested solutions. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karahan, in his presentation titled “Ethnomathematics” drew attention to the cultural dimension of mathematics and assessed the mathematical thinking styles of different societies. Prof. Dr. Murat Tezer, in his presentation titled “Current Problems and Solution Proposals in Mathematics Education”, offered assessments on the problems and solutions in the education system.
Alumni shared their experiences…
The second session, where alumni shared their professional experiences with the audience, was chaired by Prof. Dr. Murat Tezer. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilgen Kaymakamzade made a presentation on her academic career path in her presentation titled “Mathematics in Academia: The Path from Department to Profession.” Among the alumni, Mehmet Salih Yarımsakallı shared real-life experiences encountered in teaching practice, while Ayten Arısoy offered assessments on working conditions in the school environment, professional satisfaction, and the classroom climate.
“Success in mathematics education is possible with up-to-date content, correct methods, and a student-centered approach.”
Prof. Dr. Murat Tezer and Prof. Dr. Evren Hınçal, who delivered the opening speeches of the symposium, made important assessments regarding the current state and future of mathematics education. In his speech, Murat Tezer drew attention to the structural problems encountered in mathematics education, emphasizing the need to re-evaluate educational processes to meet today’s needs. Prof. Dr. Tezer particularly highlighted the importance of updating textbooks and strengthening the student-centered approach to education, stating that improvements in these areas would directly contribute to the quality of education. Prof. Dr. Hınçal, on the other hand, stated that simply conveying mathematical knowledge at a theoretical level is insufficient, and that it is a critical requirement for teachers to present this knowledge using methods appropriate to the students’ levels. Hınçal noted that subject-specific training creates a strong link between the teacher’s mastery of the subject and the student’s learning process, emphasizing that effective mathematics education is possible with the right methods.
