The UI GreenMetric data, which evaluates universities’ policies, practices, and performance in environmental sustainability based on various indicators, were discussed at the UI GreenMetric Sustainable Universities Ranking 2026 Results and Awards Ceremony held in Azerbaijan. At the meeting, where Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) was represented by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil, the data entry and analysis processes carried out by the Sustainable Development Center of Istanbul Kültür University were also presented. In the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2026, Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) increased its total GreenMetric score from 3,720 to 5,472.5 over the past three years, representing a 47.1 percent increase.

Energy and Climate Change Show Notable Improvement

Istanbul Kültür University Rector Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe evaluated the university’s progress in the UI GreenMetric rankings as follows: “Last year, by signing the Magna Charta Universitatum 2020 document, we demonstrated our responsibility not only to our own campus but also to the world. We have continued our activities with the awareness that sustainability is a holistic approach that is not limited to environmental indicators but also encompasses social justice, economic resilience, and cultural continuity. Therefore, this awareness also lies at the foundation of our steady progress in UI GreenMetric. Our goal in the coming years is to maintain this progress.”

Drawing attention to IKU’s particularly notable performance in the Energy and Climate Change category in the 2026 results, IKU Rector Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe stated that the score in this category increased from 720 in 2025 to 885 in 2026, representing an increase of 165 points in one year. Rector Prof. Dr. Üney Yüksektepe summarized IKU’s progress in the digitalization and environment categories as follows: “The score in Water Management increased from 350 to 455. In the Transportation category, the score rose from 897.5 to 947.5. In 2026, IKU received a score of 647.5 in the Governance and Digitalization category, which was newly included in the evaluation. The university’s total GreenMetric score increased from 4,970 to 5,472.5 in just one year, representing a 10.1 percent increase.”

Sustainability: A Continuous Improvement Approach

Istanbul Kültür University Sustainable Development Center Director and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil summarized IKU’s UI GreenMetric process as follows: “As a university, in 2024 we ranked above approximately 20 percent of the universities participating in the evaluation. In 2026, we increased this rate to approximately 48 percent. This result demonstrates the importance of evaluating the university’s development in sustainability not only in terms of its position in the ranking but also in terms of its position within an increasingly expanding international participation.”

Pointing out that IKU’s development is not limited to the increase in its total score, Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil said, “GreenMetric data contribute to monitoring changes between years and identifying priority areas in sustainability efforts. Between 2024 and 2026, the university advanced 129 places in the world ranking. One of the indicators that makes this development particularly significant is the substantial increase in the number of universities participating in UI GreenMetric. While 1,477 universities from 95 countries participated in the evaluation in 2024, the number increased to 2,016 universities from 110 countries in 2026. In a broader and more competitive environment, with the number of participants increasing by approximately 36 percent, IKU also significantly strengthened its relative position.”

From Data to Development: Sustainable Development Center

IKU’s UI GreenMetric process is carried out under the coordination of the Sustainable Development Center of Istanbul Kültür University. The Center manages the processes of collecting data related to the university’s sustainability indicators, entering the data into the GreenMetric system, and analyzing the results.

The results obtained are evaluated not merely as a ranking indicator but also as a continuous improvement tool that identifies the university’s strengths and areas open to development. Accordingly, the UI GreenMetric 2026 results demonstrate the outcomes of IKU’s approach to sustainability as a long-term and measurable development process rather than a series of one-time initiatives. The 47.1 percent increase in the total score over three years, progress in areas such as energy and climate change, water management and transportation, and the strengthening of the university’s relative position within expanding international participation constitute concrete indicators of the steps taken toward the goal of sustainable campuses. Istanbul Kültür University will continue its efforts under the coordination of the Sustainable Development Center with a sustainability approach based on data, measurement, analysis, development, and continuity.

The new term application of İKÜANTS TEKMER, operating within Istanbul Kültür University, to the KOSGEB Technology Center Support Program has been approved. Through the program, it is aimed to strengthen the infrastructure, mentoring, training, consultancy, and business development capacity that İKÜANTS TEKMER offers to entrepreneurs.

Istanbul Kültür University (İKÜ) stated that it continues its efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem through İKÜANTS TEKMER. The new term application submitted by İKÜANTS TEKMER within the scope of the Technology Center Support Program of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB) was approved as a result of the evaluation by the KOSGEB Board. The renewed Technology Center Support Program offers various support mechanisms to TEKMER operating organizations in order to support the establishment, development, scaling, and commercialization of R&D, innovation, and technology-oriented ventures. Within the scope of the program, İKÜANTS TEKMER will be able to benefit from three main support components: establishment, performance, and acceleration.

Dr. Akıngüç Günver: The Program Offers a Strong Opportunity Area

Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of İKÜ and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of İKÜANTS, explained the importance of the KOSGEB Technology Center Support Program for the university as follows:

“Opening up spaces for entrepreneurial minds to think and put their ideas into practice is one of our core values. Kültür, which is the brand of our university and schools, is also the work of a leader, our Honorary Chairperson, Civil Engineer Fahamettin Akıngüç, who thought beyond his time and understood the presence and importance of R&D in education in Türkiye in the 1960s. Therefore, being involved in all areas that strengthen our support for entrepreneurial minds is part of our mission. İKÜANTS TEKMER was established with this vision and made a strong start last year. The partnership within the KOSGEB Technology Center Support Program also creates a very strong opportunity area for technology projects that will provide added value to the development of the country. We are ready to support all project owners, especially our students and graduates, who are making efforts to turn their ideas into products in this field.”

Prof. Dr. Yüksektepe: Our Goal Is to Support Projects That Will Contribute to the Development of the Country

Evaluating the new term application process of İKÜANTS TEKMER within the scope of the KOSGEB Technology Center Support Program, Istanbul Kültür University Rector Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe stated that the program offers important opportunities in terms of entrepreneurial ideas and R&D projects with commercialization potential. Prof. Dr. Yüksektepe said, “As İKÜANTS TEKMER, we have provided services to 25 entrepreneurs since February 2025. İKÜANTS TEKMER Innovative Technologies; Design, Development and edutech, medical devices, biomedical, biotechnology, and fintech are the fields of activity of our Synergy clusters. We have a strong infrastructure for transforming the knowledge produced at the university in these fields into an innovative service ecosystem. We have great confidence in the expertise of our team in developing technology-based ventures and providing the infrastructure, mentoring, and business development opportunities needed by entrepreneurs. Contributing to the youth and development of the country is our priority. Therefore, we are excited to evaluate the project proposals that will reach us with the newly approved application period,” she said.

KOSGEB İKÜANTS Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors and İKÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Gülce Öğrüç Martins Ribeiro da Silva Lourenço stated that the approved program would expand the opportunities offered by İKÜANTS TEKMER to the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Prof. Dr. Lourenço said, “The KOSGEB support that İKÜANTS TEKMER has qualified for will significantly increase the infrastructure and mentoring capacity we offer for the projects of our academics, students, and entrepreneurs. The renewed KOSGEB Technology Center Support Program offers TEKMER operating organizations multifaceted opportunities for the establishment, scaling, and commercialization of R&D, innovation, and technology-oriented ventures. As İKÜANTS, we also structured the program application process through a portal that candidates can easily manage,” she said.

Establishment Support for Three Years

Within the scope of the new program, İKÜANTS TEKMER will be able to benefit from three main support components: establishment, performance, and acceleration. Within the scope of establishment support, software, personnel, training, consultancy, organization, and promotional expenses within TEKMER will be supported at 100 percent on a non-reimbursable basis for three years. The annual upper limit of the support amount for 2026 is TL 6,506,000, and this amount will be updated in the following years in line with the relevant increase rates. Following the establishment period, 100 percent non-reimbursable Performance Support may be provided for seven years in line with the activities and performance indicators of İKÜANTS TEKMER. Through the Acceleration Support component of the program, it is also aimed to support acceleration programs to be carried out in order to enable entrepreneurs to enter national and international markets and connect with investment networks and funds.

Academic and author Prof. Dr. h.c. (mult.) A.M. Celâl Şengör, who was a guest at the opening of Istanbul Kültür University’s (IKU) 2026-2027 Academic Year, was hosted at the Design Factory Green Screen Studio with the support of the Department of New Media and Communication.

As part of the program held to mark the beginning of the new academic year, a recording featuring Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör was made on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Design Factory’s Green Screen Studio, which is equipped with professional technical infrastructure.

Lecturer Dr. Sadiye Oya Işıkçı, a faculty member of the Civil Aviation and Cabin Services Program at the Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Vocational School, participated in the 11th National Aviation and Space Conference (UHUK), hosted by Eskişehir Osmangazi University from September 17–19, 2026. At the conference where current developments in aviation, space sciences, and technologies were discussed in an academic setting Dr. Işıkçı presented a paper titled "Human-Automation Trust Balance in Highly Automated Cockpits: An Analysis of the Automation Paradox from a Flight Safety Perspective." We congratulate Dr. Işıkçı and wish her continued success.

The second event in the "Promotion and Information Seminar Series," organized by the Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Design Factory, took place on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

The seminar was held to help students get to know the Design Factory better and to provide information about activities for the new term. Participants were briefed on the Design Factory’s operations, application and evaluation processes, workspaces, and the opportunities awaiting students. 

During the seminar, the Design Factory’s revamped website was introduced, and students had the opportunity to explore the Design Factory through the site. The students also examined the application processes and saw firsthand how to submit their applications.

The seminar concluded with the answering of students' questions.

An orientation event was held by the Department of Psychology at the Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Faculty of Science and Letters for students joining the department for the 2026-2027 academic year. During the event, held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Classroom ZD 1 at the Bakırköy Campus (Ataköy Building), students were provided with information regarding the Department of Psychology, academic processes, course structures, and the educational opportunities offered by the department. The event included briefings designed to support students' adjustment to university and departmental life, as well as a session to answer their questions.

Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Vocational School (MYO) Logistics Program Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökhan Kırbaç visited Alışan Logistics as part of industry-university collaboration efforts.

Discussions were held regarding internship opportunities, R&D projects, and employment prospects.

An orientation program was conducted by the Department of Nursing on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, for first-year students joining the department in the 2026-2027 academic year. As part of the program, students were informed about the department's academic structure, educational processes, course schedules, clinical practice areas, and the process of adapting to university life. The program enabled students to get to know the faculty members and the department better, and also provided an opportunity to answer questions regarding topics of interest.

The IKU Amateur Angling Club participated in the 7th Istanbul Surf Casting Fishing Competition held in the Semizkumlar Neighborhood of Silivri on September 26-27, 2026. Organized in collaboration with the Istanbul Surf Casting Sports Club and Silivri Municipality, the competition brought together athletes from Türkiye and abroad who are interested in sport fishing.

The “Mail Writing & Effective LinkedIn Use Training” was held by the New Media and Communication Club on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Design Factory in the Ataköy Building of the Bakırköy Campus. PUMA Business Analyst Mert Efe Anğın took part in the event as a speaker, which was attended by more than 40 students.

The training, which aimed to improve students’ professional communication skills, addressed email writing in business life and the effective use of LinkedIn. Participants were provided with information on points to be considered in professional correspondence and on establishing professional connections in digital environments.

The training aimed to support the communication skills that students will need in their career journeys and contribute to their more effective use of digital platforms in their professional lives.

A diving event will be held by the Istanbul Kültür University Underwater Society (IKUSAT) in the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir on October 3-4, 2026. 

For detailed information: 0545 647 57 57 (Cemal Turan)

The "International Human Rights Academy 25th Summer Symposium" will be organized by the IKU Criminal Law Application and Research Center (CEHAMER) to discuss current human rights issues, particularly in light of rulings by the European Court of Human Rights and national courts. The symposium, which will bring together academics, legal practitioners, and students, will be hosted by the Proxima Hotel in the Kuşadası district of Aydın from October 5 to 10, 2026.

The Dean of Students Office - Kültür Point will organize “Turkish Sign Language Training” to support effective communication with individuals with hearing impairments, raise social awareness, and foster a sense of social responsibility among our students. The training, to be delivered by instructor Ahmet Tombul, will be held online via the CATS platform on October 5-6, 2026, from 17.00 to 20.00.

In collaboration with the Interior Architecture Club and the Architecture Club, a “Welcome Party” will be held at INNSide in the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus at 12.00 on Tuesday, October 6, to bring together students newly enrolled in the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design and the Department of Architecture, introduce the clubs, and provide information about the events to be held throughout the academic term.

The New Media and Communication Club is organizing a "Workshop on Text and Image Generation with Artificial Intelligence" on Thursday, October 8, at 16:00. The event will take place in the 1st-floor multi-purpose hall of the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus, with the aim of helping students effectively utilize artificial intelligence. Research Assistant Fırat Baydilek from the Department of New Media and Communication will lead the session, which will feature practical exercises on generating text and visual content using tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, as well as the development of micro-application scenarios for social media workflows.

The Faculty of Law is organizing a webinar titled "Preparation Process for Legal Profession Entrance Exams" to inform students about the process. The event, featuring Erhan Kaya (General Manager of İlkuzem Judicial Academy) as the speaker, will be held online via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 20:00. 

Microsoft Teams Meeting 

Join:  https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/324959997858074?p=NVONo47pdMLB2YcmNm Meeting ID: 324 959 997 858 074
Passcode: 9KF7Ty3C

The Department of Library and Documentation will host a screening of the film "Manchester by the Sea" on Wednesday, October 7, at 14:00 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall, located in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

A talk titled "Setting the Course – On Aviation, Leadership, and the Future with Mehmet T. Nane" is being organized with the collaboration of the Program of Flight Operations Management and the Civil Aviation Club to support students in their career planning processes. The event will feature Mehmet T. Nane, Chairman of the Board of Pegasus Airlines as the speaker and will be held on Thursday, October 8, at 15:00 at the Akıngüç Auditorium and Art Center, located in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

A “Digital Photography Workshop” is being organized in collaboration with the New Media and Communication Club and the Department of New Media and Communication. The workshop aims to teach students the fundamental principles of digital photography and to enable them to produce effective, story-driven visuals by helping them grasp the rules of lighting, framing, angles, and composition. Lecturer Selin Okumuş, Head of the Graphic Design Program at the Vocational School, will serve as the speaker. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 6, at 15:00 in the RTS Studio located in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.