Bridging Academia and Industry: A Transformative Learning Model through Branded Course Integration

The CO-OP Education Model offers branded courses that smoothly integrate partner companies’ experiences and practices into program curricula through departmental electives. This creates an effective learning environment in which the companies are brought to students on campus. The model shifts the traditional internship-based collaboration by embedding companies into the classroom environment, which allows students to engage with industry professionals throughout the semester.

Call to Action

As the workforce evolves and Gen Z students seek more practical and dynamic learning experiences, Bahçeşehir University recognizes the need for stronger partnerships with businesses. Motivated by a desire to enhance the alignment between education and industry needs, the CO-OP Branded Courses initiative was born.

The university’s Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences has been integrating branded courses into its curriculum since 2017. Companies open branded courses around their own fields, products, or services to train qualified candidates for employment and ensure they are equipped with up-to-date information.

In collaboration with the university’s CO-OP Unit, the faculty’s departments offering undergraduate programs incorporate these branded courses as electives, which allows students to choose from a variety of industry-driven courses.

By design, this collaborative effort equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, closing the gap between academic training and real-world applications.

Innovation Description

The branded courses initiative at Bahçeşehir University is a unique model of collaboration between academia and industry. Departments select these courses as part of their elective offerings, enabling students from various disciplines to benefit from industry expertise.

Each branded course is co-developed by a faculty coordinator and a company representative to ensure that the course content not only meets academic standards but also addresses current industry demands. Faculty members act as liaisons, working closely with company partners to structure the courses to maximize student learning and career readiness.

This collaboration begins with course design and continues throughout the semester. Bridging the gap between companies and students, faculty coordinators deliver academically rigorous courses while facilitating company executives’ delivery of sector-specific knowledge.

The courses cover a wide variety of emerging industry topics, which provides students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on insights. With 16 branded courses offered through the faculty’s undergraduate programs during the 2023–24 academic year alone, this initiative is a testament to the faculty’s commitment to preparing students for the future through innovative and practical learning solutions.

Innovation Impact

The impact of the CO-OP Branded Courses initiative has been profound for both students and partner companies. By integrating these courses into department curricula, Bahçeşehir University has ensured that students across multiple disciplines receive a well-rounded education and benefit from direct industry involvement.

Over the last five years, the university has offered a total of 93 branded courses with a total enrollment of 3,465 students. Students have gained practical knowledge and professional connections, while companies have gained access to a pool of trained and talented graduates.

This initiative enhances student employability as well as reinforces the faculty’s role as a pioneer in industry-academic partnerships. As the program expands, its influence is expected to grow, providing even more students and businesses with opportunities to collaborate and innovate.

Reference Links

• “Branded Courses,” BAU CO-OP website
• “2024–25 Fall Semester Branded Courses,” BAU CO-OP website
• “BAU CO-OP 2024,” YouTube video