List of Activities Proposed by TASSA Members

LIST OF ACTIVITIES PROPOSED BY TASSA MEMBERS TO ACHIEVE TASSA GOALS

1.) Invited Lectureship between Turkish and American Academic/Research Institutions. Establishment of a mechanism that will help match Turkish institutes willing to organize seminars for North American Scientists who may be visiting Turkey for vacation or other purposes. We believe there may be a demand from Institutes in Turkey to listen to scientists and scholars who are conducting advanced research in a given field. Since most of us visit Turkey for vacation we may be able to take a day off to share our knowledge with our colleagues in Turkey. TASSA web site can serve as a matching tool for those who volunteer and are willing to host. This program can also be collaborated with TUBITAK and if available sabbatical option could also be considered.

2.) Editorial and Scientific Support for Turkish Scientist/Scholars who compete for international funding. As you may know Turkish Institutes can now seek grants from EU scientific network. We may help them by reviewing their grants before they submit their applications. Most of us became acquainted with grant writing here in North America and mentoring has been instrumental in learning to write a successful grant application.

3.) Recognition of achievements of Turkish scientists/scholars by TASSA. Awards can be given in different disciplines or alternatively only one award can be given to a success story. Award criterion can be the best paper published from a Turkish Institute or a jury can determine the awardees considering different parameters.

4.) Guide-New-Members Program. A program to pair new members with senior members who can give survival tips and assistance in other key issues to junior members as they adjust to new environment.

5.) TASSA can provide a platform for ideas, studies and publications that are based on knowledge and scientific inquiry on topics consistent with its mission. a) Organization of an annual conference with specific themes and multi disciplinary cluster streams. Annual meetings may help cultivate interaction/networking among members. Successful, renowned Turkish and American scientists/scholars can be invited to give seminars. Workshops and Open Forums dealing with immediate member issues can be organized during the annual meetings. b) Organization of seminar series and workshops on specific topics.

6.) TASSA can act as a liaison for scientist to communicate with governmental institutes in Turkey and North America. TASSA can help the establishment of bilateral grants for joint projects to promote collaboration between North America and Turkey. Recognition by governmental institutes can also help address issues concerning scientists in respective countries.

7.) TASSA can construct a database and establish a "Career Boards" for Turkish students who would like to pursue a carrier in science or Scientists and Scholars from North America who wish to relocate to Turkey. This program may allow Turkish professors to recruit successful students from Turkish universities, who would otherwise go unnoticed due to the lack of popularity of Turkish Universities in US and Canada. Through the same mechanism, established scientists can give members feedback on their career development whether in Turkey or USA.

TASSA can assist reverse brain drain by acting as consultant for Turkish Universities seeking to recruit qualified academicians from North America.

8.) Information Sharing. TASSA web site will be the key instrument to distribute news and information related to Turkish American scientists. News such as grant announcements, major achievements of member scientists can be posted in the web site. In addition, an electronic newsletter will be published to portray news regarding TASSA members, TASSA activities, as well as newsworthy scientific activities in Turkey and around the globe.