BAU Culture and Congress Centre Opened: The New Meeting Point of Science, Culture and Events in Beşiktaş

An idea heard at a conference can gain a new meaning through a conversation held after the speech is finished. A theatre performance, on the other hand, can confront the audience with a question they would not think of in everyday life. Considering academic events and cultural-artistic gatherings together can add value to campus life from this perspective. BAU Culture and Convention Centre aims to open up space for different encounters in the university environment in Beşiktaş.

The centre, which opened on the South Campus of Bahçeşehir University, was planned to host conferences, congresses, international summits, corporate meetings, and cultural-artistic events. The centre features the 500-capacity Conference Hall-I and the 270-capacity Dr. Burhan Kara Conference Hall, along with halls of various sizes. There is also a 790-square-metre foyer area. It was noted that at the opening, events such as concerts, theatre, and exhibitions are aimed to be organised, and the BAU Port area is also planned for outdoor events. 

How can the conference experience be enriched?

The value of attending a conference is not limited only to listening to the information presented. The participant developing their own questions, comparing different views, and re-evaluating the topic after the event can deepen the experience.

For students, a brief preparation before the event can be beneficial. Reviewing the topic of the speech and writing down two or three questions of interest determines the points to focus on while listening. Returning to the notes taken after the event allows one to see which questions have been answered.

This approach can also be used for events in different fields. A participant can establish new connections while listening to a topic not directly related to their own department. What is decisive here is to open up space for thought rather than expecting an immediately applicable result from every speech.

What can performing arts add to campus life?

Gatherings such as concerts, theatre, and exhibitions can offer students the opportunity to encounter different forms of expression. Evaluating a stage work requires the audience to pay attention to details and form their own interpretation.

Sharing the cultural and artistic experience can also be a part of campus life. Two people attending the same event might focus on different scenes or ideas. Discussing these interpretations allows a shared experience to be evaluated from different perspectives.

The cultural and artistic goals shared at the opening of the centre provide a framework for such gatherings. However, the date and participation conditions of a specific concert, performance, or exhibition must be learnt from the announcement of the relevant event.

Encounters during event breaks

The social dimension of an event continues outside the hall as well. A short conversation during the break can reveal a shared area of interest. Participants can evaluate the presentation they have listened to or direct different questions to one another.

In such communications, making a clear and concrete start is useful. Sharing an opinion regarding an idea in the presentation starts the conversation through a shared experience. For students, these encounters can also be considered as a practice for expressing their own questions.

For event organisers, the purpose, number of participants, hall layout, and technical needs must be planned together. Comparing the characteristics of the venue with the flow of the programme is one of the important steps in the preparation process.

The Culture and Convention Centre experience at BAU Campus is shaped through the meeting of academic knowledge and culture-arts in the same environment. For those who want to participate in this experience, the first step could be to review the published event announcements. Choosing an event suited to one's area of interest, making a brief preparation beforehand, and sharing thoughts afterwards can transform the time spent on campus into a more meaningful learning experience.