Speaking at the panel organized in cooperation with Insight Turkey titled, "China's Role in Global Politics", President of Ibn Haldun University Professor Recep Şentürk said, to eliminate Turkey's gap about future studies, they are planning to set up a "Future Studies and Research Center" inside Başakşehir campus. He said, this center is very important since the world is rapidly changing and everyone has already started to study the future.
Prof. Şentürk stressed that Ibn Haldun University is strived to set up a social science understanding that is nourished from Anatolia rather than importing everything from the West. "One of the things that is missing in Turkey is studying the future. Where will humanity be in the next 100 years? What is Turkey's vision? Those questions need an answer. We, as Turkey, do not have a specific vision for the future. Hopefully those answers will emerge with future studies." he said." Prof. Şentürk said he believed being an open society is not an option anymore but a necessity and he calls this era as "Open Civilization." He reminded that throughout history three strong realms existed starting with China, Rome and finally Ottoman Empire. "These are the long lasting empires in the world history. But there is one thing that differs Ottoman Empire than the others. Ottoman Empire ruled the world for seven dynasties. This is because Ottomans were an open society. I think we are living in an age of openness and that is a new period for humanity." he added.
Prof. Şentürk emphasized that education has gained an international dimension and student movement is at it's peek and therefore education, international relations, economics and even religion has to be redesigned compatible with the new age. Prof. Şentürk said; "In this new era that we are living, the ones who can realize and interpret the changes will survive. But the societies, civilizations, religions and companies who can not interpret the new age are destined to dissolve. Because we can not live in this new age with old strategies." According to Prof. Şentürk, relations between societies and civilizations are ever increasing as a result of rapidly growing transportation and communication technologies. Prof. Şentürk said, Ibn Haldun University is planning to set up regional research centers. "We will set up research centers for China, Russia, India, Iran, Arab world, Europea and Americas." he added.
