Team Member Photo

Betul Oktay

Position: Founder of USEB

Expertise: Editor, Author, Content Creator, Web Designer of USEB

Contact: betuloktay267@gmail.com / Inst: @betuloktay267

Betul Oktay, from Turkey, is the founder of USEB, a student-led educational platform created from students, for students. Her career combines years of teaching with her ongoing academic journey.

She studied at a science high school, where she won a bronze medal in the National Biology Olympiad, which led to a TÜBİTAK scholarship and specialized training from university professors. While still a student, she taught lessons to students from higher grades, helped younger classmates prepare for Olympiad exams, and at the age of 17 began working as a Biology Olympiad teacher at another science high school.

In 2011, she was admitted to the Department of Biology at Ege University as the top-ranking student of the entrance exam. She graduated in 2015 and obtained a Pedagogical Formation Certificate for teaching. That same year, she took the national Public Personnel Selection Examination (KPSS) and ranked 15th among 30,000 candidates, after which she started her career as a state teacher in Antalya.

Between 2015 and 2019, she worked in different types of schools, including science-focused high schools, general secondary schools, vocational and technical high schools, fine arts high schools, private high schools, exam preparation centers, and private tutoring institutions. In 2019, she joined the central organization of the Turkish Ministry of National Education, where she worked on digital education materials and contributed to the launch of EBA TV in collaboration with TRT, Turkey’s largest television network. Her lessons were broadcast nationwide. She also wrote for Hürriyet newspaper’s education supplement and prepared digital content for OGM Materyal, the official website of the Ministry. For these contributions, she received several certificates, including one from Minister of Education Ziya Selçuk.

Inspired during her time at the Ministry, she decided to study medicine. While beginning her medical studies, she was still a state employee in Turkey. After completing her first semester, she resigned from her post and received a plaque from the Deputy Minister of Education.

USEB was founded to provide clearer and more motivating study resources for students. What began with her own lecture notes soon grew into published books. In its first year, she authored six titles, and the platform expanded into a team of writers, editors, illustrators, reviewers, and media creators. Today, USEB books are used by students in different institutions, with growing interest from graduate students as well.

She has also been involved in social projects, including Perfect Date Nights, events focused on personal reflection, and the Eyes of Stars initiative, which supports visually impaired children and their families.

Achievements and Certifications

Olympiad Medal

2009 – National Biology Olympiad Bronze Medal
Awarded by TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) at the 17th National Science Olympiad in the field of Biology.

Olympiad Certificates

2009–2010 – TÜBİTAK Certificates
Certificates of Participation and Achievement from the National Olympiad Committee, including Summer and Winter Schools of the International Science Olympiad (Biology category).

Plaques for Contribution

2014–2017 – Educational Contribution Plaques
Recognition plaques awarded by local education authorities and institutions in Turkey for contributions to student education and academic projects.

Academic Diplomas and Certificates

2015 – Academic Degrees and Certifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology (Ege University, Faculty of Science), Pedagogical Formation Certificate (Ege University Faculty of Education), and Certificate in Laboratory Animal Experimentation (Gazi University).

Hürriyet Newspaper

2020 – Articles in Hürriyet Newspaper
Articles published in Hürriyet during the COVID-19 pandemic and a plaque awarded by the newspaper’s editorial board for contributions to educational support.

Ministerial Award

2020 – Certificate of Achievement by the Minister of National Education
Special Achievement Certificate and honorary plaque awarded by Prof. Dr. Ziya Selçuk, Minister of National Education, in recognition of contributions to EBA TV and national digital education projects.

Seminar and Course Certificates

2016–2018 – Educational Seminars and Courses
Multiple seminar and course certificates issued by the Turkish Ministry of National Education, including training on teaching methods, curriculum development, and quality monitoring in education.

Social Projects

2019–Present – Social Responsibility Projects
Initiated and organized Perfect Date Nights, events promoting personal reflection and self-discovery, and the Eyes of Stars project, providing support for visually impaired children and their families.

Books Written By The Author

Book Overview

Anatomy: Upper Limb

Author: Betul Oktay

75 pages

A comprehensive guide to the upper limb, covering bones, joints, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and important regions.

See Details

Why USEB ?

Why Teaching?

From a young age, I knew teaching was my calling—it felt like a natural talent I couldn’t ignore. In many education systems, the focus is often on the best students, while those struggling are left behind. For me, true teaching talent lies in helping those whom others overlook. I became a teacher to support students who needed the most help, and I was ready to stand by my ideals, even if it meant going against the grain.

Over the years, I’ve taught hundreds of students, and the most valuable lesson I’ve imparted is to never give up. People often ask me how I maintain such a positive outlook, and the answer is simple: persistence. I’ve learned that those who keep going, despite setbacks, will eventually succeed. This belief drives me to move forward, even when I’m walking the path alone. Failures are part of the journey, and I embrace them with a smile, knowing they are steps toward success. As long as I’m walking that path, I’m never truly alone.

Founding USEB

I founded USEB to provide students with the motivation and tools they need to succeed, particularly in challenging fields like medicine. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for students, and I wanted to create a platform that not only offers academic support but also encourages them to stay motivated. At USEB, we believe that when students are motivated, they perform better, develop essential skills, and overcome obstacles.

Success isn’t about meeting others’ standards—it’s about reaching your own potential. That’s the core philosophy at USEB. We are here to show students that learning doesn’t have to be difficult when the right methods are used. Every student can succeed, and no one should feel hopeless. We are here to guide and support them every step of the way, helping them discover that learning can be an enjoyable, empowering experience.

What does USEB stand for?

USEB stands for "Use Brain." Throughout my teaching career, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of students, each with unique learning abilities. Some grasp concepts quickly, while others take more time. However, I can confidently say that with the right teaching methods and patience, there hasn’t been a single student who couldn’t learn. Every mind has the capacity to learn, but how each mind processes information varies. The key is discovering the method that works best for you and understanding how your brain processes information. This is also part of a larger journey of self-discovery.

A teacher’s role is not simply to transfer knowledge into students' minds but to help them learn how to use their own brains effectively. USEB encourages active learning rather than passive memorization. Under the guidance of a skilled teacher, every student can learn how to utilize their brain most efficiently and continue their learning journey independently.

The USEB platform aims to teach students how to progress based on their own mental capacities, taking individual differences into account. The name USEB, meaning "Use Brain," reflects our approach to education by emphasizing the importance of motivation in active learning. A motivated brain is essential for self-directed learning, and USEB team operates with a strong focus on both individual and collective motivation. This approach enables us to accomplish great, high-quality work as a team in a short amount of time. Our main goal is not just to impart academic knowledge but to empower students to become self-sufficient in their learning.

- Betul Oktay

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