A closer look at Eaquals’ Newest Trustees:

Meet Erdem Hacıfazlıoğlu

Today, let’s shift our focus to another familiar face and esteemed individual – Erdem Hacıfazlıoğlu, as we continue exploring the dynamic narratives of Eaquals Trustees.

Not only is Erdem a passionate advocate for Eaquals’ mission, but he also serves as the Regional Sales & Marketing Director for Western Europe at Macmillan Education. Let’s delve deeper into Erdem’s story and learn more about his contributions and experiences.

The Start of Erdem’s Language Path

Erdem Hacıfazlıoğlu’s journey with the English language began before his middle school years with an intensive English preparatory education in Istanbul. At the age of 12, he ventured into a summer school experience in Bournemouth, laying the groundwork for his future pursuits in language teaching and learning sales.

Following university, Erdem entered the sector of ELT sales, accumulating over 26 years of experience in various regional senior positions within multinational publishing companies. His expertise extends across sales, marketing, language education, channel management, business development, change management, educational solution development and more.

Outside the ELT sector, Erdem is an enthusiastic sportsman with a passion for competitive sailing and a dedication to half-marathon running spanning 15 years.

What inspired your decision to become a trustee at Eaquals?

Since 2019, I’ve been deeply engaged with Eaquals, focusing on elevating awareness of quality assurance and accreditation, particularly in Turkey and North Cyprus, where Eaquals boasts 19 accredited members. As an education solution provider, our mission revolves around emphasizing the significance of quality standards and aiding institutions in enhancing their impact. This commitment entails addressing the needs of language institutions by providing guidance and resources to enhance their quality standards and encouraging their journey towards Eaquals accreditation.

Leading this collaboration with Eaquals has granted me valuable insights into diverse educational settings, including K-12 schools, university language centers, and private language schools. This firsthand experience provides me with a unique perspective on the distinct needs, viewpoints, and expectations of Eaquals’ varied accredited membership cohorts.

Furthermore, I’ve played an active role in organizing numerous joint events with Eaquals, offering complimentary CPD opportunities for educators, focusing on key areas outlined in the Eaquals inspection scheme. These events not only foster professional development but also serve as platforms to promote Eaquals on a national scale. It’s gratifying to note that our efforts have been recognized, with Eaquals being acknowledged by the Higher Education Quality Council (YOKAK) in Turkey as the sole international accrediting organization.

My personal desire to contribute more substantially to this remarkable international organization and network fueled my decision to deepen my involvement as a trustee, aiming to make a tangible, positive impact.

Erdem’s Skills: Contributing to the Role’s Effectiveness

Throughout my career in the ELT sector, I’ve played pivotal roles in driving business development and growth within the organizations I’ve been part of. One noteworthy accomplishment includes spearheading the transition from print to digital formats, achieving significant success in selling online/digital content between 2006 and 2012. During this period, Turkey emerged as one of the top three global markets in digital content sales, underscoring the effectiveness of our strategies.

Moreover, I’ve excelled in developing innovative solutions to capitalize on existing global partnerships and forge new collaborations tailored to meet the evolving needs of educators and educational institutions in the ELT/ELL domain. By offering compelling value propositions, these initiatives have enabled sustainable expansion and growth for the companies I’ve worked with.

I aim to leverage my extensive experience in business development to contribute to the continued expansion and advancement of Eaquals in alignment with the association’s strategic objectives.

Erdem Hacıfazlıoğlu’s journey and contributions reflect his strong expertise and commitment as a trustee at Eaquals. With a focus on raising awareness of quality assurance and accreditation, paired with extensive experience in the ELT sector, Erdem is well-positioned to support Eaquals’ mission. As Eaquals continues to evolve and expand its reach, Erdem’s skills and insights will undoubtedly play an important role in shaping the future direction of the organization. We look forward to witnessing his continued contributions and the positive impact they will have on the Eaquals network and the broader educational landscape.

Stay tuned as we get to know the third and last addition to the Eaquals board of trustees – Serkan Aras, who has stepped into the role of Treasurer.