Alumni in profile
Ilker Abak
Master of Education (TESOL) 2006 and Bachelor of Computing (Applied Computing) 2001
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For secondary school teachers Ilker Abak, the chance to make a difference in the lives of his students and colleagues through education has brought with it great personal rewards.
'The fact that I can make such a difference on many different levels among so many different people's lives is the best thing about my job as a teacher. I love forming relationships with students, helping them achieve their potential and watching them grow, not only academically but socially, emotionally and spiritually.
'I believe that one of the best things about my career so far is the amount of change that I have been able to bring about in my students and colleagues through IT education. I never thought that I could play such a pivotal role in the world from such a local realm,' he said.
Currently teaching at Isik College based in Melbourne Victoria, Ilker has a challenging role that encompasses many responsibilities in the IT area including: developing IT training and professional development sessions for both staff and teachers; administration of the school-wide IT network and curricular computing; improving the level of skills and educational uses of computers for all students and teachers; maintaining security and privacy protocols, especially for network and internet; conducting faculty meetings to develop Key Learning Areas (Domains); developing School Assessment Procedure ( SAP ) for unified assessment; budgetary management and developing and implementing school-wide internet safety policy.
After graduating with a Master of Education (TESOL) in 2006 and a Bachelor of Computing (Applied Computing) in 2001, Ilker explained that Deakin is strong in assisting students to combine study whilst at the same time forging a successful career.
'I undertook my Masters at Deakin because of the convenience of studying off-campus and due to the clear curriculum format of the course. Having a full-time job, it was great to have the flexibility of studying from home with such good online support. The geographical boundaries of off-campus study were eliminated by great online access and the swift responsiveness and human touch from accessible faculty staff. My courses have offered me a convenient and high quality education, which is the standard at Deakin.'
After nearly five years of study at Deakin, Ilker enjoyed the University's culture where student's views are listened to and you are respected as an individual.
'Obviously, Deakin gave me a solid academic foundation. Not so obvious were the communication, social administrative and organisational skills it helps develop. It helps promote a creative outlet through which intelligent ideas can be exchanged and shared with people of all races and ethnicities from all around the world. These are the great qualities of Deakin which I will value through my career and will cherish throughout my life,' he said.
Ilker explained that studying the TESOL course had one very special family upside, in which the process might have created a piece of history at Deakin.
'I'm sure every student who undertakes the course has had their own unique experiences, but for me it was also the fact that I got the opportunity to study alongside my supportive wife, who did the very same course. When you really think about it, this was a truly profound and powerful aspect of the course, as it allowed us to remain united at even the most challenging moments,' he said.
As for the future, he intends to pursue his passion for education through various projects and in the process hopes to further develop both professionally and on a personal level.
'My intention is to continue to develop myself and reach my full potential. I'd like to continue bettering myself in the pursuit of achieving meaningful success - which is certainly not measured in currency or material things.'
'I have some personal projects that I wish to pursue so that I may fuse my passion with my career and that is to work to mould a better society and add to the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of humankind which is a great honour and a duty for me as a practising Muslim.
'Professionally, I would like to remain in the education and training industry while participating at different levels. Education is very dynamic and changes all the time and as the old Latin proverb goes, 'by learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.'
'Mine is a life-long commitment regardless of whether I work directly in the education field or not,' Ilker said.
