The second-term certificate ceremony of the “Energy School for Women,” conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Family and Social Services, REGES Elektrik, and Istanbul Kültür University (IKU), was held at the Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with the participation of Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş. Our university was represented at the ceremony by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe, and Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil.

Designed to increase women's employment and strengthen their representation in the energy sector, the programme has now completed its second term. The ceremony featured speeches by Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, REGES Elektrik Board Member Dr. Cansu Ünal Öngören and our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe. The programme was coordinated at IKU by our Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil.

Minister Göktaş: “Women Will Help Shape the Future of Energy”

Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş said: “Today, the Energy School for Women is celebrating the graduation of its second cohort. Launched in partnership with REGES Elektrik to increase women's employment in the energy sector, the programme is now celebrating the achievements of its second group of graduates. This is the clearest indication that the initiative has become a lasting programme.”

Highlighting IKU's academic expertise, REGES Elektrik's industry experience and the contribution of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) to the programme's development, Minister Göktaş emphasised that the initiative offered much more than a training programme. She added: “This school represents our commitment to shaping the future of energy together with women. Our graduates here today are the strongest testament to that commitment. They began this journey with curiosity, and today they are ready to take their next steps with knowledge and confidence. Each certificate they receive today represents hard work, perseverance and the determination to believe in themselves.”

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe: “The Strongest Answer to ‘How?’ Is ‘Together’”

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe, recalled that the project had begun with a question they had explored together with REGES Elektrik: “How can we increase women's representation, visibility and influence in the energy sector?” Reflecting on the project's second term, she said: “As we come together today to celebrate the second term of the project, I can see that we have also found the answer to our question. The strongest answer to ‘How?’ is ‘Together’.”

Speaking about IKU's work in the energy field, Prof. Dr. Üney Yüksektepe continued: “For us, people have always been the most valuable asset in the energy sector. Our Vocational School's Program of Alternative Energy Sources, along with our Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department and Program of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, provides a strong academic foundation for training qualified professionals. Our Centre for Sustainable Development also conducts research on energy and climate-related issues. Our University's overall score in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings has increased by 47.1% over the past three years. Reducing energy consumption across our campuses and raising awareness of energy efficiency are also among our key commitments.”

The Dean of Students Office at Istanbul Kültür University showed great interest in the Istanbul Marathon, held on November 1, 2026. Our Rector Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil, Dean of Students Assoc. Prof. Gamze Alptekin, along with our academic and administrative staff and students, gathered at the Galata Bridge "Cheer Zone" to share in the excitement and enthusiasm of the marathon. Reflecting the unifying power of sports and the spirit of solidarity and togetherness, the group cheered on the runners throughout the event. 

The occasion served as a delightful gathering, fostering the promotion of sports and strengthening the spirit of solidarity among members of our university community. By engaging with the energy of the Istanbul Marathon, our academic and administrative staff and students enjoyed an unforgettable day marked by unity and togetherness. 

Representing our university in the marathon, our alumna Rabia Köse successfully completed the 42-kilometer course, demonstrating remarkable perseverance and endurance. 

Meanwhile, Batuhan Coşgun, a student from the Faculty of Law, took part in the excitement by completing the 15.5-kilometer course. Both participants made our university proud through their determination and resolve. 

Sports is Kültür! 

The 103rd anniversary of the founding of our Republic was celebrated with great enthusiasm, pride, and excitement at the traditional October 29th Republic Ball, held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. 

Organized through the collaboration of ATAMER, the Atatürkist Thought Club, and the İKÜ Alumni Association, the traditional October 29th Republic Ball was held to uphold the achievements of our Republic, keep the principles and reforms of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk alive, and pass on the spirit of the Republic to future generations. 

Bringing together those who cherish the Republic under one roof, the evening served as a meaningful event that highlighted the spirit of national unity and solidarity. At the ball, held to mark the anniversary of the proclamation of our Republic, attendees shared in the pride and joy of Republic Day. 

Throughout the evening, the founder of our Republic, the Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and his comrades-in-arms were commemorated with respect, gratitude, and longing; the importance of preserving the values ​​of the Republic and passing them on to future generations was emphasized once again. 

Featuring tango, waltz, and zeybek performances, as well as a DJ set, the ball, infused with the spirit of the Republic, offered attendees an unforgettable experience. A shared belief in the bright future of the Republic and a steadfast commitment to the principles and reforms of Atatürk emerged as the most powerful, unifying message of the night. 

Happy 103rd anniversary of our Republic!
Long live the Republic!

Istanbul Kültür University Art Gallery (IKUSAG) has unveiled a curated exhibition titled “WORDS: On the Threshold of Speech, Forms of Silence.” The exhibition, which opened on Wednesday, November 4, at 15:00 at the IKU Art Gallery located in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus, features over 50 works by approximately 25 national and international artists. 

The opening remarks were delivered by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe, and the co-curators, Aslı Kırmızıer and Mojgan Dalatabadi. Attracting significant interest from artists, art enthusiasts, and our students, the exhibition once again highlights the vital role of art in shaping cultural memory and transmitting it to future generations. 

The exhibition holds special significance as it was curated by Aslı Kırmızıer and Mojgan Dalatabadi, both alumni of our Master’s Program in Arts Management. The fact that our alumni held their debut curatorial project at the very university from which they graduated serves as a meaningful example of how we support the professional endeavors of our alumni in the fields of art and culture, enabling them to translate their academic knowledge into practice. 

Bringing together narratives from diverse geographies, generations, and experiences, the exhibition invites the audience to reflect on the idea that “words” can exist not only when spoken, but also within the realm of silence. At this threshold, where words run out, yet discourse persists, the curatorial exhibition titled “WORDS: On the Threshold of Discourse, Forms of Silence” remains open to visitors at IKUSAG until December 11, 2026.

The patent application numbered 2026/005647, titled "A Measuring Device for Measuring the Torsion of Body Structures (Torsiometer)," for which Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adnan Apti, one of the academics of our Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, is among the inventors, has been granted.

We congratulate Assoc. Prof. Adnan Apti and wish him continued success.

Istanbul Kültür University Flight Operations Management Program celebrated "World Dispatchers Day" with great pride and excitement on Monday, November 2, with the participation of industry representatives, our university administration, our students and their families. 

In the event, where the importance of the dispatcher profession, which assumes important responsibilities in the safe and effective conduct of aviation, was once again emphasized, experienced names of the sector shared their knowledge and experiences with our students. 

After the interview where sector experiences were shared, our students were presented with their epaulettes.

Our Head of the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema, Assoc. Prof. Perihan Taş Öz, served as Coordinator of the National Feature Film Competition at the 63rd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.

A total of 493 films were submitted for consideration in this year's festival selection, with 114 films ultimately selected for screening. The festival, one of Türkiye's longest-running and most prestigious film events, brought together leading directors, actors and professionals from the Turkish film industry.

IKU students Eren Asılbay, Kaan Efe Dur and Selin Karakurt from the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema also contributed to the festival organisation, serving as departmental assistants under the coordination of Assoc. Prof. Perihan Taş Öz.

On Monday, October 19, 2026, the Department of Industrial Engineering hosted a workshop titled “COP31 Simulation: The Sustainable Future of Air Transport in Turkiye” in classroom 4-B-04/06 at the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus. Moderated by the Head of the Industrial Engineering Department, Assist. Prof. Duygun Fatih Demirel, and attended by 50 students, the event involved an analysis of the sector’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, leading to the development of various recommendations.

On October 19, 2026, final-year students from the Department of Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences conducted health education sessions at the Darülaceze Presidency (a social service institution) as part of the "HEM7001 Public Health Nursing" course. Under the supervision of Assist. Prof. Kübra İncirkuş, the students delivered presentations to the residents of Darülaceze on topics including "Hypertension Management," "Nutrition and Salt Restriction in Hypertension," and "Diabetes Management." Following the presentations, the students addressed questions from the residents who attended the training.

Senior-year students from the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, delivered a health education session at Bağcılar Municipality's Centre for People with Disabilities on 26 October 2026 as part of their “HEM7001 Public Health Nursing” course.

Under the supervision of Assist. Prof. Dr. Kübra İncirkuş, the students gave a presentation on “Exercise for Better Health” to the centre's residents and their families. The session concluded with a question-and-answer segment.

The book titled “Äbuġalisina, Äbilḥaris, the Kazakh Ibn Sina (Introduction-Text-Analysis-Glossary)” by Assist. Prof. Yakup Türkdil, one of the Deputy Heads of the Department of Common Courses, has been published.

How does a historical figure become a legendary hero in the memory of a people?

In addition to being one of the great scholars in the history of medicine and philosophy, Ibn Sina has, over the centuries, transformed into an extraordinary hero in stories told about him: a figure who possesses knowledge of the occult sciences, fights evil, upholds justice, and overcomes difficulties through his wisdom. This narrative tradition, which developed around Ibn Sina, has survived in various regions of the Turkic world in different versions and has been reshaped by local cultural elements.

The text of Äbuġalisina, Äbilḥaris is one of the most extensive and comprehensive examples of this rich tradition in the Kazakh context. Written in the form of a folk tale by the poet Ḳuv̇anış Baymaġambetulı, based on an older work, this 9,313-line text holds a special place among the narratives about Ibn Sina due to its rich content and cultural elements.

This book presents the transliterated text of Äbuġalisina, Äbilḥaris along with its translation into Turkish. The text has been examined in terms of phonetics and morphology and compared with different versions of Ibn Sina stories. The study is complemented by a comprehensive glossary.

Beyond being a folk tale, Äbuġalisina, Äbilḥaris is a powerful reflection of the ideal of the “wise person,” which lives on in the shared cultural memory of the Turkic world, in the Kazakh steppe.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the Department of International Trade and Finance at Istanbul Kültür University’s (IKU) Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences hosted a seminar titled "Beyond IQ: The Power of Emotional Intelligence." Held in English at the Conference Hall on the Küçükçekmece Campus from 11:00 to 12:00, the event featured Nazlı Özek, an INSEAD Global Executive Coach and Board Member at Value Creation and Transformation Partner, as its guest speaker. 

The seminar provided an in-depth exploration of the role of emotional intelligence (EQ), which has become a key determinant of success in both today’s global business environment and everyday life. Nazlı Özek discussed how understanding and effectively managing emotions, practicing empathy, and employing strong communication skills are critical to leadership, value creation, and personal development. 

Noting that IQ alone is insufficient for professional success, Özek emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence for sustainable career growth and the cultivation of strong internal organizational relationships. Drawing on her extensive experience in strategic transformation and leadership at the board level, she also offered valuable advice to the students. The well-attended event concluded with a Q&A session, followed by the presentation of a plaque of appreciation and closing remarks.

Senior-year students from the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, delivered a health education session at Bağcılar Municipality's Vefahâne Living Centre on 26 October 2026 as part of their “HEM7001 Public Health Nursing” course.

Under the supervision of Assist. Prof. Kübra İncirkuş, the students gave a presentation on “Nutrition and Salt Restriction in the Management of Hypertension” to the centre's residents. The session concluded with a question-and-answer segment.

The Istanbul Kültür University Underwater Society (IKUSAT) will host a diving event in the Kaş district of Antalya, taking place from November 7-9, 2026. 

For further information, please contact: 0545 647 57 57 (Cemal Turan)

The first guest of the "Kültürlü Alumni Breakfast" series organized by the Istanbul Kültür University Alumni Association (IKUMED) will be Barış Yegül, Commercial Excellence Director at KOROZO (2012 graduate of the Department of Industrial Engineering). The event, which will be held under the title "Technology and Responsibility," will be hosted by Kültür College on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 10:30.

The Tourism and Hotel Management Program is organizing a talk titled "Let’s Talk Tourism" to support students in their career planning processes. The event, featuring tourism, sales, and marketing professional Deniz Dikkaya as the guest speaker, will take place on Monday, November 9, from 14:00 to 17:00, at the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall located in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

The Faculty of Law is organizing a webinar titled “Current Challenges in European Security Law – Opportunities, Risks and Regulatory Challenges” to support students in their career planning processes. The event, which will feature Prof. Dr. Kristin Pfeffer from the Hamburg Police Academy as a speaker, will take place on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 20:00 via Microsoft Teams. 

Join here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3270504551577666?p=QxMPsZBw08ThM7tlLK
Meeting ID: 327 050 455 157 766 6
Passcode: Pa9WN3V3

In collaboration with the Dean of Students Office and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Directorate of Youth and Sports, a visit to the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye and Anıtkabir will be organized on November 10, 2026, as part of the "November 10th Atatürk Commemoration Day."

The Atatürkist Thought Club and the Atatürk's Principles and History of the Turkish Revolution Research and Application Centre (ATAMER) will jointly organise an exhibition entitled “Atatürk's Path” on Tuesday, 10 November. Featuring photographs of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, the exhibition will be set up in the front garden of the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus to mark the 88th anniversary of his passing.

As part of Atatürk Remembrance Day commemorations, the Law Club will organise a visit to Dolmabahçe Palace on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, from 08.30 to 12.00.

The Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences will host an event entitled “Atatürk's Educational Vision: The Rise of a Generation” as part of the 10 November Atatürk Remembrance Day commemorations.

The event will feature Hülya Öz (Architect, Designer and Curator) and İzzeddin Çalışlar (Author, Editor and Curator) as speakers. It will be held on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at 13.00 in the Conference Hall at the Küçükçekmece Campus.

The Department of New Media and Communication and the New Media and Communication Club will jointly organise an event entitled “Career Development in New Media: Alumni Panel” to support students in planning their professional careers.

The panel will feature IKU alumni Nurcan Melek Çavuşoğlu, Fatma Nur Kadı and Malike Deniz Özdemir, who will share their experiences of transitioning from university to professional life, internships and early career opportunities, social media and influencer marketing, brand partnerships, and digital content creation.

The event will take place on Tuesday, 10 November, at 15.00 in classroom AKB 18 at the Ataköy building, Bakırköy Campus.

In a collaboration between the Department of New Media and Communication and the New Media and Communication Club, a discussion titled "Who Manages Reality? New Realities of Brand Communication in the Digital Age" will be held. The event aims to explore the new realities of brand communication in the digital era through various examples, while examining the journey of news, the evolving responsibilities of communication consultants, and the processes by which reality is constructed, circulated, and managed. Featuring speakers Communication Consultant, Cihan Çakır Sercan and Media Relations Director at Marjinal Porter Novelli, Ceren Moral Aru, the event will take place on Wednesday, November 11, from 11:00 to 13:00, in classroom AK 3B121416 at the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

The Political Science and International Relations Student Club will host a talk entitled “From Palaces to the Ottoman Public Debt Administration: Ottoman Borrowing Through the Lens of Istanbul's Urban Landscape” to broaden students' knowledge of history and the city.

The talk will be delivered by Turan Farajova, author of Istanbul Apartments. It will take place on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, from 12.00 to 14.00 in the multi-purpose hall on the fourth floor of the Ataköy building, Bakırköy Campus.

The School of Foreign Languages ​​will host an event titled "BRIDGE Talks II" on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 14:00, in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall located in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus. The event, which will feature our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe, as a speaker, will cover topics such as post-graduation career paths, the expectations of the business world, and the importance of foreign languages ​​in both academic and professional life.

The Dean of Students Office is organizing a "Student Forum" to provide a platform where students can directly share their views, suggestions, and expectations. The event will take place on Wednesday, November 11, from 16:30 to 17:30, in the İsmet Giritli Lecture Hall located on the 5th floor of the Bahçelievler Campus.

The Faculty of Law is organizing a conference titled "AI-Powered Predictive Technologies in Germany: Between Innovation and Fundament" to inform students about the use of AI-driven predictive technologies in law enforcement, their legal boundaries, and their impact on fundamental rights and freedoms. The event, which will feature Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Martin Waßmer from the University of Cologne as a speaker, will take place on Thursday, November 12, at 17:00 at the Bahçelievler Campus.

An event titled “International Seminar on Regional Politics and Economic Developments” will be held in collaboration with Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Graduate Education Institute, the University of Westminster, Kasetsart University, and The Democratic Education Network. Dr. Farhang Morady (University of Westminster), Dr. Korakit Choomgrant (Kasetsart University), Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cemal Ertürk (Istanbul Kültür University), Prof. Dr. Can Kakışım (Istanbul Kültür University), and Dr. Premruedee Petgoon (Kasetsart University) will participate as speakers. The event will take place on Friday, November 13, from 10:00 to 15:15 at the Multipurpose Hall on the 4th floor of the Ataköy Building, Bakırköy Campus.

In collaboration with the Atatürkist Thought Club and the Research and Application Center for Atatürk’s Principles and the History of the Turkish Revolution (ATAMER), a visit to Anıtkabir will take place on Saturday, November 14, as part of the November 10 Atatürk Commemoration Day. 

Note: The departure time for the event is Friday, November 13, at 23:55.