Turkey: a report on computer graphics education

Abstract

In a formal or an informal manner, computer graphics has been a field of research and education since the early 1970s in Turkey. The earlier examples of academic research work came from Istanbul Technical University and Middle East Technical University in Ankara. Istanbul Technical University research efforts were basically on computer-aided design, whereas at the Middle East Technical University, more theoretical computer graphics work has been carried on.Two examples can be given of early theoretical graphics work: A hidden line elimination algorithm by Ibrahim Canbulat, and an automated drafting algorithm by the author [2, 3]. To the best of my knowledge, the earliest official computer graphics course was offered at the Middle East Technical University in 1979. With the establishment of Bilkent University in Ankara, the first private university in Turkey, computer graphics became an official track of study, not only in computer engineering, but in fine arts as well.In this paper, we examine the current state of computer graphics education in Turkey under two main headings. First, the educational activities within the departments of computer science will be examined. Then, the educational activities within the schools of art and design will be looked at. In order to find out the educational activities at various universities, we have written to 52 departments at 40 universities. The information given in this report is based on the responses from these departments. Many departments at various schools offer technical drawing courses by the use of drafting software. These have not been classified as computer graphics courses.