Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts (FAF), Radio, Television and Cinema Department new faculty member asst. Prof. Dr. Rabiya Saltik answered questions about her academic career, artistic works, and planning for the new term.
Let's get to know you briefly. When and how did you decide to become an academic?
I'm 30 years old. I graduated from Marmara University, Faculty of Communication, Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema. During my undergraduate education, I took lessons from well-equipped and valuable teachers in the fields of communication and cinema. So much so that I would run to the lessons of some of my professors and follow the lesson with great care. I would enjoy it. Beyond wanting to pass the course, I would be really happy with what I learned. I would be curious about the books and movies mentioned in the course, read in detail, and watch the movies. When this was the case, I realized that the place that would make me happy would be the academy. I realized that I love to read and research. I can say that seeing that there is no limit to learning and knowledge has started my academic journey. To be able to constantly add something to oneself, to be open to lifelong knowledge and learning. I can say that my attraction to the academy comes from here for me. Without these qualifications, it will not be possible to enter or stay in the academy. Being so curious about academia, I completed my master's degree in 2017 and my doctorate in 2021 at Marmara University Social Sciences Institute and received my title.
Could you give information about your academic and sectoral studies? In which areas and subjects will you have studies/projects in the next period?
While I was still an undergraduate student at Marmara University, I started to educate myself in the fields that I was curious about and showed interest in. I worked in the television unit of the school's media center and worked as a reporter and editor for local newspapers. I also worked as a reporter and editor in magazines. I took part in the Istanbul Film Festival organized by İKSV. I also worked as a content producer for digital platforms, but in the end, I discovered that the field that makes me happy is the academy, so I headed here. While continuing my doctoral education, I worked as a lecturer at Istanbul Concept Vocational School for two years. Since then, I have done academic studies. I have done academic research on communication studies, new media, and media psychology, and I will continue to produce new research in these areas in the future.
What would you like to say to prospective students who will be included in our university and department about Radio, Television, and Cinema?
The Radio, Television, and Cinema section is a section that never loses its popularity and always has a high appeal. It's best to start by saying this. These three mass media tools will continue to exist effectively in our lives for many years and from now on. In this sense, contrary to popular belief, we should say that employment opportunity is extremely high. Today, digital platforms have been added to the employment opportunities in conventional media. The production of content for digital platforms such as digital televisions and Youtube has become very much reinforcing the existing attraction of this department. Therefore, there is an advantage regarding employment, but; However, it should not be forgotten that the candidates who will choose this department should have certain qualifications. First of all, he should know the current and be able to follow the renewed technological possibilities. Apart from this, if he wants to train himself in this field in a qualified way, he should be able to watch a movie or a television production with a different eye than an ordinary audience. He should be interested in cinema, various fields of culture and art, and keep his knowledge in this field constantly fresh. Apart from these, my humble suggestion would be for them to decide in which field of radio, television, and cinema they want to train themselves. They have to take their potential into account and decide on one of the fields such as directing, screenwriting, sound, or light. In this sense, our university, with its theoretical and technical education-training approach, is one of the important institutions that train the qualified workforce for the sector and promises to train candidates who are interested in the field by the requirements of the department.
Can you tell us about your plans for the next term within the faculty or department, as well as your courses?
The Radio, Television, and Cinema department is a department that should not be cut off from the industry, and there must be a bridge between the school and the industry. In this sense, we prepare the course contents without leaving the sector and aim to train our students accordingly. Various activities related to the courses, accompanied by guests who are experts in their fields, will continue without slowing down in the upcoming periods. Our only desire is for our department students to graduate from our institution as competent people in their fields. We will continue to work to achieve this goal, both by contemplating the curriculum and by organizing activities.
We would like to thank Asst. Prof. Dr. Rabiya Saltik for answering our questions.
