Within the scope of the cooperation protocols signed between İstanbul Kültür University and SKY Foreign Trade, as well as the special benefits provided by Pearson Türkiye, discounts of up to 63% are offered on foreign language education, employability skills, and international English proficiency examinations for our students, alumni, and academic and administrative staff. Within the scope of the collaboration, a 63% discount is offered on Mondly by Pearson, a digital foreign language learning platform, and a 45% discount is offered on the digital educational materials of Step Up by Pearson, which supports the development of employability and career-oriented competencies in addition to foreign language skills. Our students, alumni, university members, their spouses, and their dependent children can benefit from these opportunities.

In addition, in line with the special benefits offered by Pearson Türkiye, our University's students, members, and alumni will be able to benefit from a 10% discount on the internationally recognized PTE Academic English proficiency examination. Candidates who register for the examination will receive 18 hours of exam preparation videos worth USD 75 and an online question bank worth USD 20 free of charge. Thus, the aim is to support candidates' exam preparation processes for their international education and career goals.

These collaborations, which align with the student-centered approach of our School of Foreign Languages that promotes accessibility and lifelong learning, aim to strengthen independent learning opportunities by extending foreign language development beyond classroom learning. Providing access to high-quality international educational resources, exam preparation materials, and opportunities to certify language proficiency under advantageous conditions contributes to the academic, personal, and professional development of our students and all stakeholders, while also supporting international mobility and career opportunities.

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In collaboration with İstanbul Kültür University (İKÜ), the Artificial Intelligence Industry Association, İstanbul Organized Industrial Zone, and Mutlusan Electric, the “Artificial Intelligence Industrial Organizations Workshop” was held on Thursday, October 22, 2026. At the workshop, held at the Design Factory in the Ataköy Building of the Bakırköy Campus, topics including artificial intelligence integration in industry, regulations, transformation processes, and the conversion of artificial intelligence research into industrial value were addressed.

The program began with opening speeches, followed by panels titled “Industry's Readiness for Artificial Intelligence,” “Regulations and the Transformation Roadmap,” and “Artificial Intelligence Integration Processes in Industry.” Presentations on transforming artificial intelligence research into industrial value and large language models (LLMs) were also delivered as part of the program. In the afternoon session of the workshop, working groups were formed to discuss various topics related to the use of artificial intelligence in industry.

The opening speeches of the workshop were delivered by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe; İstanbul Organized Industrial Zone (İOSB) Chairman Mehmet Mutlu; Fatih Tümen, General Director of National Technology and Artificial Intelligence at the Ministry of Industry and Technology; Mehmet Şah Çelik, Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence Industry Association; and Yaşar Tütek, Chairman of the AI Industry Human Committee. The opening session was moderated by İlknur Kaplan, Administrative Affairs Manager of İOSB.

“We Collaborate with Industrialists through the Projects We Develop”

Speaking at the program, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe, said, “We are holding our workshop under the strong coordination of the Artificial Intelligence Industrialists Association and İstanbul İkitelli Organized Industrial Zone. As you know, artificial intelligence is now with us in every field. Determining strategies and accurately identifying needs in this field are very important. This workshop will also serve this purpose. There are many industrial organizations in our İkitelli Organized Industrial Zone. Our Artificial Intelligence Industrialists Association also works in collaboration with these organizations. As a university, we are hosting the academic component of the workshop. Through the projects we develop as part of our academic studies, we collaborate with industrialists, and we are holding this workshop today to make joint decisions addressing their needs,” she said.

“We Are Always Ready to Provide Academic Support for All Work in the Field of Artificial Intelligence”

Stating that İstanbul Kültür University is always ready to provide academic support for all work in the field of artificial intelligence, Prof. Dr. Yüksektepe said, “Many speakers who are experts in this field will join us. In the afternoon session, a workshop will be held at tables focusing on the identified areas. Within this scope, all needs and the necessary strategic steps will be identified. I believe that the workshop will guide both the academic studies at our university and the new ventures our students will develop in this field. Similarly, I believe it will help industrialists adapt more easily to this transformation in the age of artificial intelligence and continue their activities successfully. I hope that, following the workshop, we will be able to evaluate and analyze the outcomes together. As İstanbul Kültür University, we are always ready to provide academic support for all work in the field of artificial intelligence. We continue to pursue our goal of being a pioneering university in this field,” she said.

Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Vice Rector and Coordinator of the Center for Sustainable Development Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil attended the workshop titled “Carbon Economy and Sustainable Energy Policies in the Green Deal Process” at the invitation of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA). During the workshop, Prof. Dr. Tiftikçigil evaluated policy perspectives on the design of Türkiye’s carbon market, drawing on the experience of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

Held on 16–17 October 2026 in collaboration with TÜBA and Uşak University, the workshop brought together academics and representatives of relevant institutions to discuss climate change mitigation, the carbon economy, the green transition, and sustainable energy policies.

The programme, which was also attended by Prof. Dr. Halil Hasar, Head of the Directorate of Climate Change, addressed key topics including Türkiye’s 2053 net-zero emissions target, alignment with the European Green Deal, carbon pricing mechanisms, and the transition to a low-carbon economy. 

From the European Union Experience to Türkiye’s Carbon Market

At the “Carbon Markets and Pricing Mechanisms” session, IKU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil delivered a presentation titled “Lessons from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) Experience and a Policy Framework for Türkiye’s ETS Design.”

In her presentation, Prof. Dr. Tiftikçigil examined the development of the EU ETS and the policy lessons that Türkiye could draw from this experience. She also evaluated the economic and institutional dimensions of an emissions trading system to be established in Türkiye.

The discussions emphasised that carbon markets are not merely environmental regulatory instruments in the fight against climate change, but also play a strategic role in industrial transformation, international competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth. In this context, the importance of assessing the European Union’s experience in light of Türkiye’s national circumstances was highlighted. 

Organized by the Faculty of Engineering, the “Faculty of Engineering Day 2026” event was held on Tuesday, October 20, from 13:30 to 16:30 at the Ataköy Building of the Bakırköy Campus. At the event, attended by our Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver; our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe; and our Vice Rectors, Prof. Dr. Gülce Öğrüç Ildız and Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil, certificates of achievement were presented to our students who represented our university in various fields. The university's technology clubs also exhibited their projects at the event.

A collaboration protocol has been signed between the Istanbul Kültür University Design Factory and Creatix Digital, aimed at strengthening university-industry cooperation and supporting the professional development of students. Under this protocol, training sessions within the Design Factory Apprenticeship Program have commenced, involving students selected from various departments. The training is being conducted by Mehmet Safa Yalçıntaş, the founder and owner of Creatix Digital. 

Creatix Digital, which provides strategic and creative solutions to brands in line with the evolving dynamics of the digital landscape, stands out for its work in digital marketing, brand strategy, and creative communication. The firm operates across diverse areas, including social media management, digital advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), web design, creative design, and video production, offering solutions designed to enhance the digital visibility and communication processes of brands. 

Industry Experience Brought Directly to Students 

The fact that the training sessions within the Design Factory Apprenticeship Program are delivered personally by Mehmet Safa Yalçıntaş allows students to gain industry experience directly from the company owner. By sharing his professional expertise and industry insights, Yalçıntaş contributes to the students' development in fields such as digital marketing, brand communication, and creative production. 

The training, which includes students from various departments, fosters interdisciplinary interaction while enabling students to reinforce their academic knowledge through practical application. The program aims to enable students to become familiar with current industry dynamics, gain knowledge about professional work processes, and acquire experience within a learning environment that helps shape their career goals. 

Supporting Professional Development through University-Industry Collaboration 

The Design Factory at Istanbul Kültür University connects students with professional life through initiatives that foster strong and sustainable ties between the university and the industry. By collaborating with industry representatives, the program seeks to help students combine their theoretical knowledge with practical experience, enhance their professional competencies, and gain a clear understanding of the expectations of the business world. 

This partnership with Creatix Digital is significant, as it integrates industry experience into the educational process and provides students with the opportunity to learn directly from seasoned professionals in the field. Through its collaborations with organizations across various sectors and its practice-oriented programs, the Design Factory continues to support students in their creative endeavors, production capabilities, and career development.

An information seminar on the TÜBİTAK 2209-A and 2209-B Support Programmes was organised by the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of Istanbul Kültür University to support students in their research and project development processes.

Held on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, from 10.00 to 12.00 at the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall in the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy campus, the seminar provided information about the Research Project Support Programme for Undergraduate Students (2209-A) and the Industry-Oriented Research Project Support Programme for Undergraduate Students (2209-B).

The seminar covered the scope of these support programmes, application procedures, and the stages of project preparation. It also focused on encouraging students to turn their research ideas into scientific projects, strengthening their project development skills, and helping them make effective use of research funding opportunities.

On Tuesday, October 20, at 13:00, the Fine Arts Application and Research Center (GSUAM) hosted an event titled “The Unseen Side of Art: Organization, Communication, and Creativity.” The session featured curator and art director Yeşer Yelmez as a guest speaker and was moderated by Lecturer Dr. Bilgen Kuzu. 

Held in conjunction with the exhibition “Atilla Ekşinozlugil: 16th and 17th-Century Ottoman Textile Collection”, currently on display at the IKU Art Gallery in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus, the event included a guided tour of the exhibition led by Yeşer Yelmez, during which participants learned about the historical and artistic characteristics of the pieces. The discussion highlighted that art is not limited solely to the finished works themselves; rather, organization, effective communication, creative ideas, and hard work play a vital role in the process of bringing these works to the audience. Attendees, including graduate students from the IKU Art and Culture Management Program and artists from painter Gökhan Uğur’s studio, gained insights into the preparation, planning, and execution processes that take place behind the scenes of art events. The gathering provided a valuable platform for participants to explore various dimensions of art management and curatorial practice, while fostering a deeper awareness of the processes involved in connecting art with its audience.

The Head of our Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema, Assoc. Prof. Perihan Taş Öz, was a guest on the program "Sinema+," broadcast on TRT 2. 

In the episode aired on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the discussion focused on the relationship between cinema audiences and film festivals in Turkiye. Serving as the National Film Coordinator for the 63rd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, our Department Head shared her insights regarding this year’s festival selection with the audience.

Assoc. Prof. Esra Saatçı, Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, attended the Medical Technologies Congress (TIPTEKNO’26), held in Gaziantep on October 15–17, 2026, to present our students’ paper entitled “PPG-Based Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Estimation: A Performance Comparison of Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform and Discrete Gabor Transform,” co-authored by Şafak Beşkanat, Yusuf Kaya, and Esra Saatçı.

Lecturer Dr. Ceren Çilek, an academic staff member of the Department of Common Courses, attended the 8th International Mount Ağrı and Noah’s Ark Symposium, held in Ağrı on 15–17 October 2026 and hosted by Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University in collaboration with the Ağrı Governorship and Andrews University.

At the symposium, Lecturer Dr. Ceren Çilek presented her paper titled “The Image of Mount Ağrı in Armenian Periodical Titles,” examining the place of Mount Ağrı in the cultural memory of the Armenian community and its symbolic role in the naming of Armenian-language periodicals.

Faculty members from the Department of Industrial Engineering Assist. Prof. İbrahim Ethem Tarhan, Assist. Prof. Zeynep Gergin, Assist. Prof. Tuğçe Apaydın, and Res. Assist. Gökçe Mol participated in "The 26th International Symposium for Production Research (ISPR 2026)," held from October 15–17, 2026. The studies presented at the symposium are as follows:

- Product-Based Evaluation of Local Food and Beverage Venues through the Design of a Multi-Criteria Recommendation System – Nilay Yıldız, Elif Eyüpoğlu, Tuncay Özcan, Kemal Konyalıoğlu, Tuğçe Apaydın
- Assessment of Sustainable Digital Suppliers Using an Integrated Hesitant Fuzzy MCDM Approach – Merve Güler Kesmez, Tuğçe Apaydın, Aziz Kemal Konyalıoğlu
- Managing Visitor Congestion in Heritage Sites: An Empirically Calibrated Discrete-Event Simulation Approach – Yağız Yılmaz, Kerem Tanrıverdi, Tuncay Özcan, Aziz Kemal Konyalıoğlu, Tuğçe Apaydın
- A Two-Stage Fuzzy AHP and Mixed-Integer Programming Framework for Post-Earthquake Emergency Resource Allocation: A Case Study of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake – Amal Choukri Abdullah, İbrahim Ethem Tarhan
- Data Mining Applications for Quality Improvement in an OEM Auto Parts Manufacturer – Zeynep Gergin, Bora Kaan Haydar, Barış Akman, Melike Tosun, Emir Özbay, Asil Aytaç Özer
- Bi-Objective Temporary Facility Location for Post-Disaster Debris Management: A MILP and ε-Constraint Approach for Istanbul Districts – Gökçe Mol, Nadide Çağlayan Özaydın

We congratulate our academics and wish them continued success. 

Assist. Prof. Fatma Sevil Malcıoğlu, an academic staff member of the Department of Civil Engineering, attended the “ESC2026 – 40th General Assembly of the European Seismological Commission,” held in Istanbul from 6 to 11 September 2026.

She contributed to three studies presented at the congress:

- “Broadband Ground Motion Simulations for Istanbul: A Hybrid Deterministic-Stochastic Approach”
- “Local Site Effects in Istanbul due to H/V Spectral Method”
- “Tomorrow’s Earthquake-Resilient Cities: An Exhibition for Risk Communication and Public Engagement”

We congratulate Assist. Prof. Malcıoğlu and wish her continued success.

Organized in collaboration with the New Media and Communication Club and the Department of New Media and Communication, the “Digital Photography Workshop” was held on Tuesday, October 6, at 15:00 at the RTS Studio in the Ataköy Building of the Bakırköy Campus. At the event, Lecturer Selin Okumuş, Head of the Graphic Design Program at the Vocational School, participated as the speaker, and the fundamental principles of digital photography were addressed. The role of light, framing, angle, and composition in creating effective visual storytelling was discussed.

The workshop aimed to help students understand both the technical and narrative aspects of photography. It was intended to contribute to students' production of visually effective photographs that also tell a story by drawing on the knowledge they acquired.

The sixth seminar in the “Academic Talks Seminar Series,” organised by the Department of Industrial Engineering, was delivered by Res. Asst. Gökçe Mol, an academic staff member of the department.

Held on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at 13.00 in the multi-purpose seminar room on the second floor of the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy campus, the event featured Res. Asst. Gökçe Mol’s presentation titled “Genetic Algorithms vs. Particle Swarms: Breaking Polyalphabetic Ciphers.”

The “Text and Visual Content Creation with Artificial Intelligence” workshop was organised by the New Media and Communication Club of Istanbul Kültür University on Thursday, 8 October 2026, from 16.00 to 18.00 in the multi-purpose hall on the first floor of the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy campus.

The workshop featured Res. Asst. Fırat Baydilek, an academic staff member of the Department of New Media and Communication, who discussed creative content production and small-scale application development using artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. Participants developed purpose-specific prompts and created applications using the Vibe Coding approach, which involves generating code through natural-language instructions. The workshop also explored how these applications could be used to create static and carousel posts for Instagram.

Practical exercises focused on combining creatively developed texts with visual designs generated using artificial intelligence. Students were encouraged to solve problems encountered during application development, refine their prompts based on the results they obtained, and create original content. The workshop aimed to enhance students’ problem-solving skills as well as their creative thinking and content production skills through AI-assisted production.

Offered through a partnership between the Dean of Students Office at Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) and Kyung Hee Cyber ​​University in South Korea, the "Korean 1" and "Korean 2" courses provide students with the opportunity to learn the Korean language and gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture. 

Spanning a 13-week period, the "Korean 1" course focuses on basic Korean speaking and daily communication skills, while "Korean 2" aims to further develop students' listening and speaking abilities. Conducted through a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods, these courses allow students to participate in interactive sessions while also managing their own individual learning processes. 

By integrating language acquisition with cultural exploration, these courses help students engage with diverse cultures and foster an awareness of intercultural communication. Recognized within the framework of micro-credentials, these courses serve as a significant learning opportunity that supports students' personal development.

As part of the "Architectural Surveying" (Rölöve) course offered by the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, a field trip to Kuzguncuk will take place on Monday, October 26, from 09:00 to 18:00. The trip aims to analyze residential building types, conduct on-site measurements, and examine methods for surveying building facades.

The Dean of Students Office – Kültür Point will organise the “IKU 4th Traditional Republic Day Sports Festival 2026” from 26 to 30 October 2026 as part of the Republic Day celebrations on 29 October.

The festival will feature individual and team competitions in chess, arm wrestling, sit-ups and reverse sit-ups, foot tennis, table tennis, pickleball, and 2-on-2 basketball. For further information, please contact i.cakit@iku.edu.tr or a.saral@iku.edu.tr.

The Nursing Club will organise the “Breast Self-Examination Training and Pink Ribbon” event to inform students and staff about breast cancer, early diagnosis, and breast self-examination, and to raise awareness of these issues.

Held as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the event will take place on Tuesday, 27 October, from 09.00 to 16.00 on the ground floor of the Bahçelievler campus.

In collaboration with ATAMER, the Atatürkist Thought Club, and the Alumni Association, the “Traditional October 29th Republic Ball” will be held to celebrate the founding of our Republic, strengthen the spirit of national unity and solidarity, and provide an enjoyable social setting for all attendees. Aiming to keep alive the tradition of the Republic Ball—a symbol of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s vision for modernization—the event will take place on Wednesday, October 28th, at 19:00 in the 6th-floor VIP Restaurant at the Ataköy Campus. 

Theme: 1920s; Attire: Formal wear (dresses and suits)

In cooperation with the Department of Digital Game Design and the Game Design and Development Club, a "Halloween Game Jam" event will be organized to enable students to turn the knowledge they have acquired during their theoretical education into practice. The event, in which playable digital game prototypes will be developed in line with a determined theme within a limited time, will be held between October 30th and November 1st at the AK 1st floor in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

The DJ Club, GEEK Club, Dance Club, and Travel Club will jointly organise the “Halloween’26” event to encourage students to socialise, strengthen communication, and foster solidarity among student clubs.

Bringing students together through entertaining and interactive games, the event will take place on Friday, 30 October 2026, at 17.00 in the rear garden of the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy campus.

Organized by the İstanbul Kültür University Alumni Association (İKÜMED), the “Sarı Zeybek Night & Alumni Gathering” event will be held to revive memories, renew friendships, and share the privilege of being a member of the Kültür community around the same table.

Reservations are mandatory to attend the event, which will be held on Friday, October 30, at 19:30 at Şark Sofrası, located in Ataköy 5th Section.

Information and reservations: 0212 559 04 88 / 1445