Established in 2008 in Gaziantep, one of Turkey’s largest metropolises, Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKÜ) celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, continuing to attract attention in the higher education ecosystem with programs that meet the demands of each era. Keeping pace with the rapidly growing digital gaming industry, the Digital Game Design Department, which draws from interdisciplinary fields such as information technologies, design, communication, engineering, cinema, and art, is opening its doors within the HKÜ Faculty of Communication. Accepting students for the first time in the 2023-2024 Academic Year, the “Digital Game Design” undergraduate program will welcome students who choose and place in it after the 2023 Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS).

ACCEPTING 30 STUDENTS IN THE FIRST YEAR

Considering the development of digital media, digital games, new communication technologies, and the impact of new media, the Digital Game Design Department offers an attractive and broad range of employment opportunities for those aiming for a strong and contemporary career. Emphasizing the need for young people who want to be part of the gaming industry and make an impact to be proficient in technology and design original games, HKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli stated, “The gaming industry has rapidly grown and evolved in recent years. To be part of this industry and have a say, young people need to be proficient in technology and design original games. As HKÜ, we are taking a step to meet this need by opening the ‘Digital Game Design’ department. We expect it to receive great interest. In this regard, we are preparing to admit students to the ‘Digital Game Design’ undergraduate program, which will be opened at HKÜ this year. Our quota for this year has been determined as 30 students.”

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUILD A CAREER IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY

Highlighting that the Turkish gaming market has reached $1.2 billion, with the number of digital players reaching 42 million, Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli said, “The Digital Game Design Department also aims to fill the gap in this sector. With its experienced academic staff, the Digital Game Design Department will equip its students with theoretical knowledge in areas such as design, cinema, art, digital communication, and engineering. It will train individuals who can creatively think, utilize information and new communication technologies effectively, and contribute to the gaming industry by making their names known with original projects even before graduation. In this department, students will specialize in advanced graphic design and programming knowledge, as well as game mechanics, storytelling, user experience, and many other areas. They will not neglect artificial intelligence. Thus, we will provide significant opportunities for young people who want to embark on a career journey in the gaming industry.”

WE HAVE DRAWN A “ROADMAP” FOR STUDENTS CHOOSING THE DEPARTMENT TO BE “SOUGHT AFTER” IN THE INDUSTRY

Stating that digital game design is a “team effort” and that producing original and new content is the key to success in the new communication world, HKÜ Vice Rector and Dean of the Faculty of Communication Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan said, “For students in our faculty who choose areas such as game design or game developer, we have drawn a ‘roadmap’ for them to be ‘sought after individuals’ in the industry. The Digital Game Design Department, established within our faculty and admitting students for the first time this year, aims to train students who can be employed in fields such as game developer, game designer, visual designer, game programmer, 2D and 3D designer, game music designer, user interface designer, and character designer, providing theoretical and practical knowledge. This will contribute to our students being able to apply what they know and meet the demands of the sector. In this context, we are confident that our new department will make significant contributions to the development of qualified human resources in the gaming industry.

Haber: Çetin KARABIYIK /HKÜ