The groundbreaking ceremony for the Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Ataköy II Campus Project was held on Wednesday, October 22. The event brought together the Kültür Family to celebrate this significant milestone in the university’s growth.

Among the attendees of the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Bakırköy Mayor Assoc. Prof. Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu and her deputies; Honorary Member of the Kültür Educational Foundation Gül Akıngüç; Chair of the Board of Directors of the Kültür Educational Foundation and İstanbul Kültür Educational Institutions, and Vice Chair of our Board of Trustees, Ful Akıngüç; Vice President of the Kültür Educational Foundation and Member of our Board of Trustees, Lale Akıngüç; Member of the Board of Directors of the Kültür Educational Foundation and President of our Board of Trustees, Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver; our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe; our Vice-Rectors, Prof. Dr. Gülce Öğrüç Ildız and Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil; our Financial and Administrative Affairs Advisor, Özkan Gül; our Secretary General, Ender Rıza Ekici; our Deans; and our academic and administrative staff.

Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Technology Transfer Office (TTO) officials attended the "EIT Skills Days" event organized by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in Brussels. Representing our university, our TTO Director Cüneyt Genç and ELICIA Project Coordinator Fethi Murat Altunay took part in various sessions and networking activities throughout the event.

EIT Skills Days, is an important platform that brings together higher education institutions, research centers, entrepreneurship support offices and industry representatives across Europe, allowing the sharing of the most up-to-date practices, good examples and cooperation opportunities within the scope of the "EIT Higher Education Initiative" program.

In the event; the Project Officer team of the ELICIA – Empowering Leadership in Creative Innovation and AI-driven Entrepreneurs project, which we coordinate within the scope of the EIT Higher Education Initiative program "Cohort 4", and senior officials of the EIT Higher Education Initiative, EIT Raw Materials, EIT Food and EIT Culture & Creativity KICs came together.

Discussions were held on the project process, the roadmap for the 2025-2026 period, the sustainability plan, and cooperation in new calls.

In addition; in one-on-one meetings with project managers, university representatives and EIT Community stakeholders from different countries, Istanbul Kültür University's research, entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem was introduced, and possible partnership opportunities were evaluated. In contacts which were made particularly with the EIT Community, EIT Digital, EIT Raw Materials, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Culture & Creativity communities, preliminary discussions were held for new cooperation steps that will increase the visibility of our university at the European level.

In the “Networking Brunch” session held as a part of the event, one-on-one contact was established with EIT HEI project coordinators from different countries, connections were developed that will form the basis for future joint ventures, and sessions were held on idea sharing.

In the event, which was very productive, current developments in the European Higher Education and Innovation ecosystem were closely followed, and new connections that will contribute to the international visibility of IKU were established.

As part of the "IKU Science Cafe" event series organized in cooperation with IKU Vocational School and Design Factory, a talk titled "Where Time Bends: A Journey through Einstein's Universe" was held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. At the event, where our Director of the Vocational School Prof. Dr. Mehmet Özer was the speaker, the concepts of space-time and Einstein's understanding of the universe were conveyed to the participants.

The first of the "İİBF Talks: Academic Seminar Series" events organized by the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences (İİBF) was held on Wednesday, October 15 between 12.30-13.15 at the Küçükçekmece Campus Conference Hall.

The first guest of the series was Res. Assist. Dr. Aras Yolusever, one of our faculty members from the Department of Economics.

In his presentation titled "Evolutionary Game Theory and Dynamic Interactions", Res. Asst. Dr. Yolusever discussed the dynamic interactions in economic and social systems with the evolutionary approach of game theory. The participants, in addition to the theoretical framework, learned about current discussions through practical examples and shared their comments on the subject.

Within the scope of the "IAD5045-Lighting" course given by Assist. Prof. Bilge Şan Özbilen in the Department of Interior Architecture and Design (English), a technical trip was organized to the "Digital Experience Museum-Van Gogh: Chasing the Light" exhibition on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, with the intent of experiencing the light effect in the space on site.

A talk titled "From the Counter to the Classroom: The Art of Communication through the Grand Bazaar Experience" was organized by IKU Vocational School (MYO) on Tuesday, October 21. Participating in the event as a speaker, Grand Bazaar Board Member Assoc. Prof. Rezal Koç; by bringing together years' worth of stand experience and the subtleties of communication, conveyed to the participants the importance of correct communication, building trust and making a difference in human relations.

The Program of Medical Documentation and Secretarial hosted our alumni Adilcan Yürür from Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Sedanur Kara from Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital and Aleyna Seven from Medicana Bahçelievler Hospital at our university. At the event held on Friday, October 17, our alumni shared their professional experiences with our 1st year students who have just joined us in the 2025-2026 academic year. The event, contributing to the career planning processes of our students, was an important guide in terms of their professional development.

Our Head of the Department of Arts and Culture Management Assoc. Prof. Reyhan Uludağ, with her “Lines of Life” themed works, will meet art lovers on Republic Day, October 29. This special exhibition, which crowns the enthusiasm of the Republic with the unifying power of art, will bring together important names from the art and business world. The exhibition, which will open on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 15:00 at the Grand Harilton Hotel Istanbul, can be visited until November 12.

IKUANTS Technology Development Center (TEKMER) has added a new program to its efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Applications have started for the ANTSPARK Pre-Incubation Program, which will carry innovative business ideas to the commercialization process.

The program, which is open to the participation of the students, academic and administrative staff of our university; aims to support projects at the idea stage, popularize entrepreneurship culture and implement technology-based innovative ideas.

Within the scope of the program, participants will be provided with;

- Comprehensive trainings on entrepreneurship, business model creation and investor relations,
- One-on-one mentoring support from mentors who are experts in their fields,
- The opportunity to benefit from the research infrastructure of our university and the physical facilities of TEKMER,
- Support for developing business ideas and moving them to the prototype stage.

ANTSPARK offers a holistic development journey that aims to transform participants' business ideas into concrete outputs and evolve them into sustainable initiatives.

Application Period: October 15 – November 9, 2025
Education Period: November 17, 2025 – February 2, 2026

We invite all entrepreneur candidates with an innovative idea to this exciting program.

The alumni of Istanbul Kültür University's Department of Architecture gathered with the Department's faculty members at the Architectural Design 6 studio in the Ataköy building prior to the "IKU Alumni Day" event held on Sunday, 19th October, to revive memories and evaluate the current state of the field of architecture. At the meeting, which included graduates from different years, our alumni shared their professional experiences, discussed the working environment, shared the challenges they faced after graduation, and had the opportunity to meet other graduates who studied in different years.

A talk titled "The Role of Flight Dispatcher in General Aviation" was held in collaboration by the Aviation Club and the Program of Flight Operations Management on Tuesday, October 21. Flight Dispatcher Çağrı Sanıcı, who joined the event as a speaker, answered the questions of our students on the flight dispatcher profession.

In the "Artificial Intelligence and Career Management" panel hosted by the Department of Public Relations and Advertising on Wednesday, October 22, MarkeFront CEO & Digital Marketing and Digital Entrepreneurship Strategy Consultant Aytaç Mestçi shared the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in career planning, personal branding and professional visibility with the participants. Our students gained valuable insights into how to stand out in the digital world and shape their career goals.

In the event; topics such as recruitment processes, industry trends and methods to make a difference on LinkedIn were discussed. Brief questionnaires in between made the presentation a more lively and engaging experience. Students who attended the event were given a digital event participation certificate.

In collaboration with the Program of Foreign Trade and the Program of E-Commerce and Marketing, the "Marketing & Trade in Action-II" event was held on Thursday, 23 October 2025, at the İncirli building, Bakırköy Campus.

Organised with the support of the Financial Literacy Club, the event welcomed Serkan Ünal, Sales and Marketing Manager of Museum of Illusions Türkiye, as a speaker. He shared valuable insights with students on marketing strategies, current trends in trade, and digital transformation processes within the industry. Our students had the opportunity to reinforce their theoretical knowledge with practical market examples and enhance their industrial expertise.

Within the scope of the “Furniture Design” course conducted by Assist. Prof. Arzu Erçetin and Lecturer Tolga Erdem in the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, a seminar titled “Wooden Cladding in Furnishings and Its Applications” was held. The event, held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, with the participation of our department’s students, featured Interior Architect Merve Nur Ay from Burç Wood Cladding Company as the speaker.

In collaboration with Avicoaching, Istanbul Kültür University Vocational School organized an event titled “Selection Process in Aviation – The Codes of Interviews” on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Gökhan Beyaz, Founder & Managing Director of Avicoaching UK, participated in the event as the guest speaker and shared insights into current interview processes in the aviation industry, evaluation criteria, desired competencies, and strategies for preparing for these challenging stages.

In cooperation with ATAMER, Atatürkist Thought Club and Alumni Association, the "Traditional October 29 Republic Ball" event will be held within the scope of October 29 Republic Day. The event, where the tradition of the Republic Ball, which is a product of the great modernization project designed by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in public and social life, will be kept alive, will be held on Monday, October 27 at 19.00 in the 6th floor VIP Restaurant in the Ataköy building.

Theme: 1920s, Concept Outfit: Dress and Suit

In cooperation with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, ATAMER and the Department of Common Courses and within the scope of the "102nd anniversary of our Republic Anniversary Events", the conference titled "The Republic of Türkiye and the Treaty of Lausanne Amid the Geopolitical Storms of the 21st Century" will be held. The event, where writer Reha Bilge will be the speaker, will be held on Thursday, October 30 at 10:00 at the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy campus.

"Analogue Photography and Film-Soaking Techniques" workshop will be held by the Department of Communication and Design in order to teach students analog photography techniques. The event, which will be held with the participation of photographer Umut Sokolovic, will be hosted at by the B2 Photography Workshop on Monday, October 27 at 13.00 in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy campus.

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Club, in collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and Technology Development Centre (TEKMER), will host a discussion titled "The Entrepreneurial Journey: From Idea to Project," which will address entrepreneurship and the project development process. The event, where Ömer Ertuğrul Meral, Director of the Technology Transfer Office at İstinye University, and Assist. Prof. Kübra Telli, Lecturer at MOBIGEN, will share their experiences, will be held on Monday, 27 October at 2 p.m. in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall.

The Psychology Club will organise "The House: Film Analysis" event to create a discussion platform on psychological approaches through film analysis. The event, featuring Clinical Psychologist Büşra Keleş as the speaker, will be held on Monday, 27 October at 3:00 PM in the multi-purpose hall on the 2nd floor of the Ataköy Campus.

Dean of Students Office - Kültür Point will organise "Turkish Sign Language Training" to support healthy communication with hearing-impaired individuals, raise social awareness and promote a sense of social resposibility among students. The training, to be delivered by instructor Ahmet Tombul, will be held online via the CATS platform on 27-28 October 2025 between 17:00 and 20:00. 

In cooperation with the New Media and Communication Club and the Department of New Media and Communication, a talk titled "LinkedIn 101" will be held to support students' career planning processes. The event, where Efe Anğın from the Dean of Students Office- Kültür Point will be the speaker, will be held on Monday, October 27 at 19.00 via the CATS platform.

An event titled "The Journey to Code with Artificial Intelligence to Design in Figma" will be held by the Mathematics Computer Club in order to show students how to transform the design process that started in Figma into a real product with the support of artificial intelligence. The event, where Digital Product Designer Ramazan Güler from Userspots will be the speaker, will be held on Tuesday, October 28 at 13.30 at the Design Factory in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

"Children's Rights: The Value of the Child and a Multidisciplinary Perspective on Family Relations Panel" will be organized by the Faculty of Education. The event, where our Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Alim Kaya and our academicians Assoc. Prof. Münevver Mertoğlu, Assoc. Prof. Meryem Demir Güdül and Assoc. Prof. Ayhan Erbay will be speakers, will be held on Thursday, October 30 at 10:00 at the Akıngüç Auditorium and Art Center in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

Within the scope of the "Knowledge Of Interior space" course given in the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, a seminar will be held in order to understand, analyze and interpret the relationship between the theoretical knowledge learned and the applications in the practical field. The event, where Interior Architect Selami Yılmaz from MONOBLOK will be the speaker, will be held on Thursday, October 30 at 13.30 at the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

The Architecture Club will organize an introductory meeting in order to bring together the students who started the Department of Architecture in the 2025-2026 academic year, senior students and faculty members on Thursday, October 30 at 17.00 at INNSide in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus

In collaboration with the Aviation Club and the Program of Flight Operations Management, a seminar will be held to celebrate the International Day of Air Traffic Controllers. The event, featuring Gözen Air Dispatcher Manager Rahmi Rahmioğlu as the speaker, will take place on Friday, 31 October at 11:00 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall at the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

The Department of Computer Programming will organise the event "The Future of Coding with Artificial Intelligence: Interview with Caner Şekerci" to help students understand the impact of artificial intelligence technologies on software development processes, identify current application areas, and learn about the dynamics of transformation in the industry. The event, featuring Caner Şekerci from Boğaziçi Institute Instructors as the speaker, will be held on Friday, 31 October at 14:00 at the Design Factory in the Ataköy building.

In collaboration with the Department of Computer Engineering and the Department of Software Engineering, a seminar titled "The Role of Open Source LLM in Customised Artificial Intelligence Services" will be held to support students in their career planning processes. The event, featuring Data Scientist Muhammet Furkan Özara from Next4biz Information Technologies as the speaker, will be held on Friday, October 31 at 14:00 in the B1-5 amphitheatre of the Ataköy Campus.

In collaboration with the Faculty of International Affairs and the Dean of Students Office - Kültür Point, the "Halloween'25" event will be held on Friday, 31 October at 17:00  in the back yard of the Ataköy Campus to bring students together.