Tell us who you are?
My name is Alp Altıntürk. I’m the MSP of Istanbul University, also attending Computer Engineering (Bachelor’s Deg). With a completely opposite perspective from my branch, I signed up for Business Administration (B.D) at Anadolu University,. Also I have a role as IT Context Responsible in a TV programme.

Tell us about your University?
Our university is the oldest University in Turkey. Founded in 1453, our university started with math and algebra education-that makes us tightly bound to Science. Just for the record, we have more than 50,000 students on a variety of branches.

Tell us about your MSP history, when were you awarded?
I was awarded to this role on October 2009. With my predecessors’ advices and my own enthusiasm, I applied to this program only this year and entitled as MSP for 2009-2010 duration.

What do you do in order to keep up with latest tools and technologies while focusing on your education?
In Turkey, Computer Engineering education, mostly include courses about software design and development topics- which have a huge benefit of giving the “sparkle” about using latest tools. Blogs, Social networks, news and especially community launches are most effective ways to get knowledge about the “technology trends”.

What does being an MSP mean to you? and What makes you a great MSP?
Until now, I would answer that with “having highly technical background”. But at this time, I can say that it’s the passion what makes you a (great) MSP. Technical background is an extremely huge plus, being social and getting active in community also gets you one step forward. But Passion for success is definitely the key trait.

Tell us about faculty support in promoting tools and technologies?
Our department has MSDN Academic Alliance and everyone is getting the benefit from that. As students, we all try to use latest tools but our course topics generally do not have the vision of creating skills on varied technology on IT industry.

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