The countdown has begun for the “Iron Women: The Power of Women in Welding Art” project, which was developed to socially and economically empower women who settled in Istanbul after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake.

The academic and vocational training process of the project, which was designed by the Women’s Association in Business World with the support of the General Directorate of Relations with Civil Society of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Türkiye, will be carried out by Istanbul Kültür University and Istanbul Gedik University.

The first stage of the project, in which comprehensive trainings will be provided to reduce the social, economic, and psychological vulnerability of women affected by the earthquake, will take place at Istanbul Kültür University.

The training program of the project, in which women affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquake will be included within the scope of “Iron Women,” will last for 3 weeks in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy campus of Istanbul Kültür University.

Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil: Women's Empowerment is Our Main Agenda

Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil, Vice Rector of Istanbul Kültür University and Director of the Sustainable Development Center, outlined the Iron Women project as an exemplary initiative for the development of our country and women. Noting that the extraordinary effects caused by natural disasters can be managed with the cooperation of universities and ministries, Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil summarised the support process for the project as follows: “Iron Women: Women's Power in Welding Art’ project was shaped by the Women’s Association in Business World, Istanbul Kültür University, and Istanbul Gedik University, whose architecture has been systematically and selflessly working for women's labour. It is an honour for us to take part in the academic side of such a project for the benefit of the country and society. The Iron Women project has a special value as it is the first project that our Sustainable Development Center, which was opened in the 2024-2025 Academic Year, meets with society. We structured the project by taking inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Decent Work and Growth, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, and Partnerships for the Goals. Faculty members of our university will be with women with a 44-hour training series within the scope of the project. Subjects such as methods of coping with violence, physical and sexual health, psychological well-being, economy, and sustainable development that will strengthen women's vital reflexes along with their professional gains will be presented in our trainings. At the end of the trainings, participants will be entitled to receive a certificate of participation.”

Within the scope of the “Iron Women: The Power of Women in Welding Art” project, after a 44-hour training process to be offered at Istanbul Kültür University, participants will receive welding training from experts at Istanbul Gedik University. After the training, which will help to achieve gender equality in a male-dominated sector, successful participants will be given a welding master certificate in order to find employment opportunities in the sector.

A protocol has been signed between T.R. Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Business Development, Industrial and Sectoral Relations Unit (IGESIB), and Başak Akın Coaching regarding collaboration on activities related to the Coach Level 6 Personnel Certification Examination, and Online Professional Coaching Training.

The signing ceremony was attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe, Head of the Business Development, Industrial and Sectoral Relations Unit Lecturer Selen Çeliköz, Project Assistant Ceyhan Tekel, MBA & PCC Başak Akın, and ACC Business Coach İlknur Ergün Tuncay.

Prof. Dr. Çağla Gül Yesevi, Head of the International Relations Department at Istanbul Kültür University (I), has been honored with an honorary doctorate by the Journalism and Mass Communications University of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The title was presented by the Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Mirvohid Azimov, at the General Secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States.

IKU IEEE Astra Rocket Team which participated in the TEKNOFEST 2024 Rocket Competition under the consultancy of Assist. Prof. Okay Işık, one of our academicians from the Department of Industrial Engineering, came 5th in the "Medium Altitude" category among 33 teams and was entitled to receive the "Best Design" plaque award. We congratulate our team and wish them continued success.

The short documentary titled “Things I Learned at the Age of 30” directed by Sezer Ağgez, our research assistant from the Department of Communication and Design, was deemed worthy of an award at the Niğde National Short Film Competition organized by Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University. The award ceremony, during which the rankings will be announced, will be held at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University between October 9-11, 2024.

The NanoNeuroGenius group, in collaboration with Yıldız Technical University, and including IKU Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MOBIGEN) faculty member Research Assistant Simge Emlik, participated in the 2024 Teknofest Biotechnological Innovation Competition with their project titled “Investigation of the effectiveness of miRNA-carrying ultrasound-active smart nanoparticles targeting the PDGFRA gene in glioblastoma cancer.” NanoNeuroGenius was among the 40 finalist teams selected from 1.300 projects and earned the right to present their projects.

The opening meeting of the project titled "Integration of Artificial Intelligence Technology Tools in Secondary Education English Language Teaching", which was carried out by Prof. Dr. Birsen Tütüniş, a faculty member of the Department of Foreign Languages Education at Istanbul Kültür University, and was entitled to be supported within the scope of TÜBİTAK 4005 Science and Society Innovative Educational Practices program, was held by Prof. Dr. Birsen Tütüniş and IKU TTO Director. It was held on September 23, 2024, with the participation of Cüneyt Genç, District Director Zekeriya Artar from Büyükçekmece District Directorate of National Education, İlker Bayrak from the Project Unit, representatives of the project partners and 40 secondary school English teachers selected by Istanbul Büyükçekmece District Directorate of National Education.

Within the scope of the project, the 5-day training program aims to offer students an innovative and motivational learning environment by integrating teachers' artificial intelligence technologies into their English language teaching processes. Various applications such as artificial intelligence-supported grammar games, virtual word cards, international language exchange programs and project-based learning will be introduced in the training program. Project coordinator Prof. Dr. Birsen Tütüniş pointed out the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in language teaching and stated that these technologies will enrich teachers' classroom practices. The training will be held between 23-27 September 2024, and project partners include Istanbul Büyükçekmece District Directorate of National Education, Mersin University, Hacettepe University and Istanbul Arel University.

The Department of International Trade and Finance has launched a student project based on university-industry cooperation involving students from our university, guest students and academics from DHBW Mannheim, our Erasmus partner university. The project aims to provide students from both countries with international experience academically and professionally. In this context, the project was launched on Friday, September 20, at the Küçükçekmece Campus Conference Hall. Within the scope of the project, which offers an important opportunity for students to apply theoretical knowledge and learn the real business world dynamics in the fields of international trade and information, technical visits were made to Kurstan and Hatemoğlu with the DHBW Mannheim team from Germany and a tour of Istanbul was organized. The project team also paid a visit to our Rector Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe.

A “Department Orientation Meeting” was held by the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MOBIGEN) on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 11:00 am, at Prof. Dr. Atilla Özalpan Seminar Hall for the newly enrolled first year students of the 2024-2025 Academic Year. In the meeting, where the academic staff of the department was introduced, a detailed presentation was made by Assist. Prof. Alp Ayan about course selections, CATS usage, regulations and university life.

If you are a 3rd or 4th-year university student, you could be one of 393 candidate researchers to start your career at TÜBİTAK and secure your place in the future of science.

What Awaits You in the Program?

- An active role in Türkiye’s scientific and technological development
- An opportunity to work one-on-one with expert researchers in their respective fields
- A chance to become a full-time researcher upon graduation

Application Deadline: October 14, 2024, at 17.00
For application and details: www.kariyer.tubitak.gov.tr

Prof. Dr. Martin Kornmeier from our partner university in Germany, DHBW Mannheim, attended the opening lecture of the Academic Year organized by the Department of International Trade and Finance (Turkish-English) on Monday, September 23, within the scope of the 2024-2025 Orientation Program. At the opening, Prof. Kornmeier touched upon the importance of cultural transfer in terms of education and also talked about Erasmus opportunities. Then, Assist. Prof. Ayşegül Ketenci, one of the academicians of the Department of International Trade and Finance, held an orientation program for the Turkish and English departments.

Our students from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MOBIGEN), Hilal Nur Çalışır and Sıla Akçay, participated in the “2nd international Workshop on Cancer and Lipidomics” hosted by Istanbul Medipol University on September 10-11, 2024, with their poster presentation. Our students presented their project titled “The investigation of fatty acid metabolism related to AMPKa/miR33a expression in renal cell carcinoma” which was conducted with MOBIGEN academics Assist. Prof. Burcu Ayhan Şahin, Assist. Prof. Pelin Özfiliz Kılbaş, and Assist. Prof. Özge Rencüzoğulları.

A technical trip was organized to Kurtsan Group of Companies, one of our sector collaborations, on Friday, September 20, with the participation of our students from the Department of International Trade and Finance, guest students and academicians from our Erasmus partner university, DHBW Mannheim. Within the scope of the tour, Kurtsan officials, one of the most important companies in Türkiye, gave a tour of the working environments and detailed information about the departments.

Under the leadership of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), in cooperation with the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Türkiye (TEPAV) and TOBB University of Economics and Technology (TOBB ETU), the “TOBB Türkiye 100” program has been organized since 2011 to identify Türkiye’s fastest-growing companies, strengthen their global connections by showcasing their success on a global scale, and facilitate their access to the right business partners, new customers, and investors by ensuring that their success stories are featured in national and international print and broadcast media. The companies ranked in the Türkiye 100 program are determined based on completely objective criteria. In these evaluations, where the rate of sales revenue growth is the main performance criterion, the company with the highest growth rate in sales revenues secures the first place.

In 2024, the eighth TOBB Türkiye 100 award ceremony was held at TOBB Twin Towers, with the participation of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, and Minister of Trade, Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, where Türkiye’s top 100 fastest-growing companies received their awards.

In the TOBB Türkiye 100 program, the growth rate of companies' average annual sales revenues in the 2021 - 2023 period will be taken into account. Companies that meet the application criteria will be ranked according to their growth rate, and the fastest growing company will take the first place.

Applications for the TOBB Türkiye, which will enable the Turkish private sector to strengthen its connections with the world, must be submitted via https://turkiye100.tobb.org.tr by September 30, 2024, at the latest.

A technical trip was organized to Hatemoğlu, one of our sector collaborations, on Monday, September 23, with the participation of our International Trade and Finance Department students, guest students and academicians from our Erasmus partner university, DHBW Mannheim. During the trip hosted by Hatemoğlu, one of Türkiye leading textile companies, their offices were visited and information was given about their workflow.

The Industrial Engineering Club organized a “First Date with EMK” event on Monday, September 23rd in order to help members get to know each other.

In collaboration with the Active Healthy Living Centre, Istanbul Kültür University Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation will organize the “5th Osteopathy and Manual Therapy Congress” where the latest approaches in osteopathy and manual therapy will be discussed. The congress, featuring expert speakers in the field, will be held on Saturday, September 28th, from 9.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. at the Akıngüç Auditorium and Art Centre, located in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

The Department of International Relations will host a seminar titled “Understanding Palestine: State and Political Life” to inform our students about the Palestinian problem. The speaker will be Assoc. Prof. Umut Uzer from Istanbul Technical University. The event will take place on Monday, September 30th, at 11.00 a.m. in the Küçükçekmece Campus Conference Hall.

IKU Music Club will hold Turkish Classical Music Choir auditions on Monday, September 30th, between 16.00 and 19.00 at the 1st floor multi-purpose hall in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy campus.

IKU Design Factory is organizing an event titled “Edutalks: Inspirational Talks” where inspiring stories and insights in the field of design, innovation, and education will be shared. Among the speakers will be Ahmet Gökhan Uluçay, IKU BST Software Development and Innovation Manager and Design Factory Manager. The event where experts will deliver inspirational speeches will take place on Monday, October 1st, at 10.00 a.m. in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall.

The "TÜBİTAK-2209: The First Step on the Research Journey" event will be organized by the IKU Technology Transfer Office, where the Sustainable Development Goals will be introduced and information about the TÜBİTAK 2209-A and 2209-B projects will be provided. The event, where our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil and Dr. Merve Durmuş from the Technology Transfer Office will be speakers, will be held on Wednesday, October 2 at 10:00 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy campus.

The Turkish Folk Music Choir auditions will be held by the IKU Music Club on Tuesday, October 1st, between 16:00 and 19:00 in the 1st floor multi-purpose hall in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy campus.

Orchestra IKU auditions will be held by IKU Music Club between October 2-4, 2024 (12.30-17.00 hours) at the IKU Music Studio on the B2 Floor of the Ataköy building in the Bakırköy campus.

The first screening of the documentary film titled "Things I Learned at the Age of 30", produced and directed by Res.Assist. Sezer Ağgez, one of our faculty members from the Department of Communication and Design, will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at 13.00 at the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy campus.

A talk titled "Constructed Cosmologies and Oral Tradition at Göbekli Tepe" will be organized by the Department of English Language and Literature. The event, where PhD student Charlotte Moroz (Pacifica Graduate Institute, California, USA) will be the speaker, will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at 15.00 in the Erdal İnönü Seminar Hall in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy campus.

Dean of Students – Kültür Point Professional Career Development Coordinatorship will organize “Life Development Trainings” to show individuals what is wrong in their personal lives and teach them new information. The training to be given by Psychologist Dr. Serap Duygulu with the title of “Self-Awareness, Self-Recognition & Self Respect and Saying No” will be held on Thursday, October 3, between 16.00-19.00, at the 3rd floor multi-purpose hall in Bakırköy Campus Ataköy building.

An "Open Air Cinema" event will be organized by IKU Cinema Club on Friday, October 4, in the backyard of the Bakırköy campus Ataköy building.