“CO-OP” (Cooperative Education) is a cooperative education model based on university–industry collaboration, which requires students to work at a company or institution during their undergraduate studies. Its aim is to integrate theoretical education with working life. Students who prepare for working life through CO-OP education minimise the time they need to learn on the job after graduation.
About CO-OP Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of CO-OP for students?
- They gain the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom in the field.
- They deepen their professional experience, perception and awareness.
- They build their career and life plans and clarify their post-graduation goals.
- After graduation, they may have the opportunity to continue working at the institution where they worked.
- Through continuous, real business communication, they improve their interview and negotiation skills and gain vision.
- Their self-confidence increases and they develop their ability to express themselves.
- They improve their organisation and time management skills.
- They start earning income while still students and increase their financial awareness.
- While still students, they acquire a professional identity and a business card.
- They build a good network through sectoral connections.
- They can write one year of professional work experience, with real experience details, on their CV.
- Unlike other graduates, they start their working lives with the advantage of holding a prestigious diploma and having gained professional experience at a quality institution.
CO-OP Student
CO-OP Student is a student who has taken all courses in their department up to at least the end of the 6th semester.
What is a CO-OP period?
A CO-OP period refers to the Summer months, or to one of the Fall or Spring semesters, in which students can take CO-OP education.
Can everyone do CO-OP?
Not every student who reaches the eighth and final semester in the relevant departments can do CO-OP education. Only students who meet the “CO-OP Student” requirements can start this programme.
When does the CO-OP application process start and end?
It starts two weeks before the courses are suspended according to the academic calendar, and ends when the courses are suspended.
How long is CO-OP education?
CO-OP education is uninterrupted work carried out entirely at a single company or institution, and lasts 14 weeks (one semester).
What is the CO-OP Supervisory Committee (CO-OP DEK) and what does it do?
The CO-OP DEK is the committee established by the relevant Dean’s Office to coordinate and supervise the implementation of CO-OP education. It performs the following tasks:
- It ensures coordination between the university, the company/institution, the department and the student.
- It prepares customisations and revisions to protocols in line with departments, companies and fields.
- It makes recommendations on academic programmes, courses and content in line with the needs and demands of industries.
- It provides counselling services so that students can shape their career goals in line with their abilities and the needs of the business world.
- It informs institutions about the university’s academic programmes.
- When necessary, it reviews the programme and in particular its practical applications, identifies shortcomings and submits change proposals to the Dean’s Office.
- It identifies, lists and continuously updates companies/institutions in Turkey and abroad where CO-OP education can be carried out, with priority given to Gaziantep, and publishes them on the web page.
At which companies and organisations can CO-OP education be carried out?
With medium and large-scale companies with which an agreement has already been made, or with companies proposed by the student and deemed suitable by the CO-OP DEK, including:
- Head offices, regional directorates and branches of banks (public and private).
- Ministries, public institutions and organisations, municipalities, chambers of commerce and industry, stock exchanges, exporters’ associations, chambers of industry, etc.
- Institutions such as the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK), the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), the Capital Markets Board (SPK), undersecretariats, the Competition Board and Borsa Istanbul (BİST), etc.
What is ADEK?
ADEK refers to the accredited companies or institutions determined by the university where students can complete their CO-OP education.
How does the CO-OP programme work?
“CO-OP students,” during the course registration of the first semester after gaining this status, register for the Applied Training in Industry (ENUYE) course, which appears in their department’s curriculum with code İKT400 for the Department of Economics, İŞL400 for the Department of Business Administration and UTL400 for the International Trade and Logistics department.
CO-OP students fill in the relevant forms available on the faculty’s web page (Student Preference Form) and make five ADEK preferences within the periods specified in the Academic Calendar. CO-OP students apply to the Faculty Secretariat with the relevant forms. Placement is carried out by the CO-OP DEK according to the principles determined and within the demands and conditions of companies or institutions. Students who cannot be placed with their first preference are given a new preference right.
To monitor and evaluate the performance of each CO-OP student, the Department Head’s Office appoints a faculty member from the department as the CO-OP advisor for each student.
At the end of CO-OP education, the student receives one of the letter grades defined in the Hasan Kalyoncu University Associate and Undergraduate Education, Teaching and Examination Regulation from the CO-OP advisor. A CO-OP student who receives at least a DD is considered successful.
Can CO-OP education be repeated?
Students who do not receive at least a DD letter grade must repeat CO-OP education. Whether the repetition will be carried out at the same company/institution or another one is decided by the CO-OP DEK after obtaining the opinion of the advisor faculty member.
Is an extra fee charged because of CO-OP education?
The CO-OP programme is included in the normal duration of study and no extra fee applies. Students who cannot graduate within the normal study period continue to pay fees. Scholarship students who extend their period of study also begin to pay fees.
Will the duration of study be extended for students doing CO-OP?
If a student does not meet the CO-OP Student requirements when entering the final spring semester, they cannot take this training until the semester in which they meet those requirements. For this reason, the period of study may be extended.
Will students be paid a salary during CO-OP?
Whether students who start working at companies for CO-OP education are paid is at the discretion of the relevant company/institution. However, the company/institution or the university covers insurance costs during this training.
Where can CO-OP education be carried out?
CO-OP education can only be carried out in Turkey and abroad at accredited companies/institutions (ADEK) determined by the CO-OP DEK and with which a protocol has been signed.
What conditions must be met to do CO-OP abroad?
There are no special conditions for this. Anyone who meets the CO-OP Student requirements can take this training at a company/institution abroad within the ADEK scope.
Does CO-OP require any preparation?
The CO-OP DEK will provide preparation to students doing CO-OP on matters such as preparing a CV and what to do in an interview.
Will CO-OP students choose the company or will the CO-OP DEK choose it?
Students make their company or institution preferences; the CO-OP DEK prepares the student up to the interview stage and directs them to the company. The selection of candidates and the interviews are carried out by the company.
What is the attendance entitlement of a CO-OP student?
For a valid reason (health problems and sitting the midterm and final exams of courses taken during the CO-OP period), a CO-OP student may be absent for a maximum of 10% of working days.
When do students who froze their registration start CO-OP education?
A student who froze their registration for a valid reason before the CO-OP period may take CO-OP education in the following semester.
When can students do CO-OP after Summer School?
Students who are eligible for CO-OP status together with the courses they will take in Summer School may begin CO-OP education in the following Fall semester.
Forms and PetitionsStudent forms, including CO-OP forms.