Who is Sevinc Atabay?

Sevinç Atabay is a distinguished education professional who began her career in 1980 after graduating from Gazi University’s English Language Teaching Department. She started at the Ministry of National Education, where she served as an equivalence officer, overseeing the recognition of UK and US diplomas within the Board of Education. During this time, she played a significant role in developing foreign language curricula, implementing early language learning initiatives, and leading book-writing commissions.

Atabay’s international experience includes her tenure as an Education Attaché in Chicago, USA, where she pursued further studies at Harold Washington College. In 1994, she completed a Certificate Program in Adult Education at Banbury & Bicester College in the UK and subsequently taught adults at the State Language School.

Between 2000 and 2006, Atabay served as the Coordinator of Community Programs—focusing on education, scientific research, and youth—at the General Secretariat for the European Union in Turkey-Brussels. She retired in 2006, concluding her roles at both the EU Secretariat and the Ministry’s Board of Education.

From 2006 to 2021, she held the position of General Manager of the Turkish Education Association (TED) and TED Ankara College Foundation Schools, where she led strategic initiatives to enhance educational quality.

Beyond her administrative roles, Atabay has been actively engaged with various civil society organizations focusing on education, youth development, and social entrepreneurship. She has also conducted research on climate change and its societal impacts.

A prolific author, Atabay has written books on Education and Teaching as well as EU Education Policies, including works such as EU Education Programs, Comenius-School Education, The 6th Framework Program’s Impact on Turkey, and Education in the EU Accession Process. Her published articles address a range of critical topics, including Understanding Young Generations, The Impact of Space and Architecture on Educational Success, Play and Learning, Innovation in Education, Towards Hybrid Humans, Learning Agility, and From Industry 4.0 to Society 5.0.