03/03/2016
Kastamonu Entegre Ağaç Sanayi (KEAS) becomes the new learning partner of Sabancı University Executive Development Unit – EDU. The Kastamonu Integrated Leadership Development Program was launched on Friday, February 19, 2016. The 18-month program will start with 21 executive-level participants.
Sabancı University Executive Development Unit – EDU Director Cüneyt Evirgen began his speech by noting their pleasure to work with companies that are relatively unknown to the general public. Emphasizing the Sabancı University mission "to create and develop together", Evirgen argued that knowledge and learning could be developed in tandem. Evirgen noted that Sabancı University was named the most entrepreneurial and innovative university by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology. Explaining that the index compiled by the Ministry includes the best universities in Turkey, Evirgen said that one of the criteria was university-industry partnership. Evirgen said that developed countries had excellent levels of cooperation between universities and the industry, and that the issue was a priority for Sabancı University as well. In explaining EDU's objective of transferring the latest knowledge generated within the university to the world of business, Cüneyt Evirgen said, "We view our training customers as learning partners. We learn together with them."
Also speaking in the launch event for the program was Hayat Holding Wood Products Group President and Kastamonu Entegre Ağaç Sanayi CEO Haluk Yıldız. Yıldız said that KEAŞ was a global company and that training was necessary to achieve global standards. Yıldız also stated that KEAŞ was going through a time of rapid growth, where the training program provided by EDU would have additional benefits. Haluk Yıldız gave information about changing company strategies over time, the current activities of the company as well as planned ventures and future strategies. He noted that they entered new markets with value-added products and special projects. Yıldız said, "Our objective is to challenge processes and strategies."
The 26-day program consists of 12 modules. Modules focus on business-critical subjects including strategy, finance, marketing and innovation.