A whole new world of education: İstanbul Commerce University

Jewelry is a major passion of mankind, dating back to prehistoric age. The use of jewelry began perhaps 30 thousand years ago, in the upper Paleozoic age. The archaeological excavations in Turkey reveal that the use of metal-based jewelry began around 7000 BC.
Anatolia’s wealth of mineral diversity and the influence of numerous civilizations throughout the history brought along an immensely rich and unique culture of jewelry. Of course, as demand for jewelry grew, so did technology, culminating in today’s scene which is based on the heritage of thousands of years.

Up until recently, jewelry was produced in jeweler workshops, based on experience and know-how transferred from father to son. However, in line with ever increasing demand and global competition, the need to apply science and technology in the production of jewelry arose in Turkey as well. Today, Turkey reached a point where it competes against the leading producers of jewelry in the whole world. It is actually in top five in gold jewelry production.

ENGLISH AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION

As the production volume of the jewelry industry grew rapidly, so did the need for qualified personnel. Against this background, Istanbul Commerce University founded by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce in 2001, opened the Department of Jewelry Engineering in 2010, representing a first in both Turkey and the world, in response to the demand voiced by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce’s Jewelry Profession Committee, Istanbul Chamber of Jewelers, and the leading names of the industry. The department is unique as it is the only institution offering such a degree in the whole world, and currently has 70 students. In addition to the engineering curriculum, the students are offered English language courses, to train them as manufacturing director engineers at jewelry workshops and factories. Such courses include international finance, gemology, metallurgy and material science, 3D jewelry design, automation in production, and diamonds and precious stones.

Each year, the department takes part in the international jewelry fair. The Department of Jewelry Engineering not only raise qualified engineers, but also assist the industry on R&D and productivity studies, with its most valuable academic staff.

Given the shortage of trained engineers in the jewelry sector, the students of the department have already guaranteed jobs waiting for them to graduate.

GEM CUTTING WORKSHOP

Istanbul Commerce University is also home of the only Gem Cutting Workshop of Turkey. Moreover, the Application and Research Laboratory at Kuyumcukent (Jewelers Town) in Yenibosna also provides technical and scientific studies required by the industry. The trainees, many of whom are employed at Kuyumcukent are also provided Computer Assisted Jewelry Manufacturing (Matrix 7.5) and Jewelry Design and Drawing Techniques courses. The Diamond Laboratory, on the other hand, in only the second laboratory established in Turkey in this field. The new Gem Cutting Workshop is also the venue of the Hearing the Spell of Gems project, designed for youth with hearing disabilities. The first group of trainees are currently receiving training within the framework of the project supported by the Jewelry Exporters Association and Istanbul Development Agency.

28 Eylül 2015 Pazartesi

Etiketler : English