The “Twice Special” Project International Congress was held at Ondokuz Mayıs University Distance Education Center (UZEM) on October 2-3, 2025. The event was organized within the framework of the project supported by the Erasmus+ Program School Education Cooperation Partnerships (KA220-SCH) and led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şener Şentürk.
The project, with a budget of approximately 250,000 Euros, involved: was carried out with the participation of national and international partners such as the MEB General Directorate of Special Education Services, İlkadım District National Education Directorate, Asociaçia Dyslexia (Bulgaria), DYS-centrum Praha (Czech Republic), Fondazione Istituto dei Sordi di Torino (Italy), and Uniwersytet Slaski (Poland).
Intense Participation Over Two Days
The program began with opening speeches followed by a concert by the Samsun Bilsem Children’s and Youth Choir. Throughout the event, invited speakers, simultaneous sessions, and workshops created a broad academic sharing environment. Workshops at the conference included “Self-Acceptance Against Perfectionism,” “Unlocking Double Doors: 2E Learners,” “Activity Design for Psychoeducational Programs for Twice-Exceptional Individuals,” as well as numerous papers on AI-supported measurement models, digital storytelling, social-emotional learning, and inclusive education models.
Throughout the event, OMÜ Distance Education Center’s advanced technological infrastructure and multipurpose halls were utilized. Thus, participants were provided with a high-quality academic environment by utilizing both face-to-face and digital opportunities.
“A Project That Touches Every Segment of Society”
Within the scope of the project, important outputs such as the “Double Special Awareness Training Program,” “Socio-Emotional Education Program,” and “E-Learning Platform” were presented. In this context, dissemination and multiplier activities were also carried out. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şener Şentürk stated that the project aimed to raise awareness not only among teachers and parents but also across all segments of society, saying, “We dedicate this work to children with special needs and their teachers who accompany them.”
