The "11th Family Business Congress" was organized by the Family Business and Entrepreneurship Application and Research Center (AGMER) at Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) on April 1-2, 2026, at the Akıngüç Auditorium and Arts Center in the Ataköy Building on the Bakırköy Campus. Held under the theme "The Codes of Successful Family Businesses," the congress addressed topics such as sustainability, leadership, intergenerational transition, and digital transformation in family businesses, with speakers from the business world and academia sharing their experiences. 

Speaking at the opening of the congress, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe, emphasized that the topic of family businesses is not merely a label but a field that must be studied and developed, and she expressed the importance of the congress with the following words: 

“In this era of increasing global uncertainty, family businesses play the most critical role in the nation’s prosperity and economic development. The ‘Kültür’ brand, established by M.Sc. Civil Engineer Fahamettin Akıngüç in the field of education in our country, is itself a 65-year-old family business. Guided by the responsibility we derive from our corporate identity and history, we have embraced the mission of establishing a platform for the production and sharing of knowledge that family businesses require, thereby building a strong bridge between academia and the business world. Our Family Business Application and Research Center is one of the strongest outcomes of this commitment.” 

Speaking at the event, Canan Çelebioğlu, Chair of the Board of Directors at Çelebi Aviation Holding, stated, “By 1995, the company had grown into a major entity holding approximately 50% of the Turkish market. At this point, it was recognized that the need for institutionalization also needed to be addressed. Up until then, many matters could be managed and controlled by closely monitoring them at the operational level. However, following the decision to expand internationally and provide services in different countries after 1995, it became clear that the need for institutionalization had to be addressed more swiftly. Accordingly, the decision to go public was made. “While going public is generally known as a decision taken to secure financial support or to allow shareholders to realize the value of their stakes in the company, in this case, the primary motivation was to contribute to institutionalization,” she said. 

The 2026 meeting of the Balkan Universities Association was held in Montenegro, hosted by the University of Montenegro. Representing our university, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil attended the meeting. 

As Istanbul Kültür University, we are pleased to have completed our official membership process on this important platform, following the approval granted last year. 

We hope that strong, sustainable, and multi-stakeholder collaborations in our region will continue to grow.

The play "The Devil Within Us" organized by the Istanbul Kültür University Fine Arts Application and Research Center (GSUAM), met with art lovers on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 19.30. Staged at the Akıngüç Auditorium and Art Center, the play offered the audience both impressive and thought-provoking moments.

From Lütfi Can Bulut's one-man performance, the play brought to the stage the conflicts experienced within the individual, the weakness of will, and the struggle with oneself through the metaphor of "the devil within us." The characters' internal struggles not only presented a story but also offered the audience an opportunity to reflect on their own inner world. The production, notable for its stage design, lighting, and acting performances, powerfully combined literature and theatre, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

The highly acclaimed play, which once again revealed the aspect of art that touches human psychology, received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Organized by the Department of Digital Game Design with the contributions of the İKÜ OTG Club (Game Design and Development Club), Spring Game Jam 2026 was held between April 3–5, bringing together students for three days of creativity, collaboration, and game development. 

Throughout the event, participants had the opportunity to develop both digital and tabletop games, showcasing their creativity, technical skills, and teamwork. From idea generation and prototyping to visual design and gameplay development, students experienced the excitement and challenge of producing games within a limited timeframe. 

Spring Game Jam 2026 was not only attended by students from the Department of Digital Game Design, but also welcomed participants from other departments, including Computer Engineering and Cartoon and Animation. This interdisciplinary structure created a dynamic production environment where students from different backgrounds could collaborate, exchange ideas, and contribute their unique perspectives to the game development process.

 One of the defining aspects of the event was the presence of the jury throughout the jam, not only as evaluators but also as mentors who actively guided students during the development process. Through continuous feedback and support, participants had the opportunity to refine their ideas, strengthen their projects, and gain insight into the iterative and collaborative nature of game design.

The Department of Support Services conducted a "Fire Safety Training" for our security personnel working on our campuses on Saturday, April 4. The training, given by expert trainer Umut Kuruöz, covered topics such as combustion and fire knowledge, types of fires, causes and factors of fires, preventive measures, extinguishing methods, materials and equipment used in extinguishing, and extinguishing drills. Following the training, a practical fire drill was conducted at our Ataköy-2 construction site.

The panels of the “45th Istanbul Film Festival,” organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, will take place between April 9-19 and will host two major panels focusing on screenwriting. 

Moderated by the Head of the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema, Assoc. Prof. Perihan Taş Öz, the first panel titled “Do We Have to Be an Auteur? Being a Screenwriter in Independent Cinema” will feature two prominent auteur filmmakers, Pelin Esmer and Hüseyin Karabey. 

The second panel, titled “Writing the ‘Independent’ Independently”, will examine the scriptwriting processes of two films included in the festival selection. Screenwriter and director Elif Eda (Milk Farm) and screenwriter Ferit Karahan (Ties, Roots and Passions) will participate. 

Both panels will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts in Beyoğlu.

A meaningful historical trip was organized in collaboration between ATAMER and the Atatürkist Thought Club. On Saturday, April 4, 2026, students visited the "Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorials," guided by Lecturer Dr. Emine Eren Çağlar and Lecturer Ceren Çilek. With high participation, the students had the opportunity to see firsthand the sites of the Çanakkale War, a crucial turning point in the Turkish nation's struggle for independence. Visiting the memorials, monuments, and historical sites provided a profound experience, both academically and emotionally. Students, having the chance to feel the spirit of Çanakkale more closely, expressed their gratitude to the martyrs who gave their lives for their country. The visit, filled with emotional moments, left a lasting impression on the participants.

Organized by the Department of Digital Game Design, the thirteenth meeting of the GameTalks event series was held on April 4 at 13:00 in the Ground Floor Seminar Hall II, featuring Özgür Deveci, Business Development Manager at GameDev İstanbul, as the guest speaker. 

Focusing on the importance of pitch decks in game marketing and business development, Deveci shared valuable insights into how game projects can be presented effectively to publishers, investors, and potential business partners. Throughout the event, students had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how strong presentation materials can play a critical role in shaping the visibility, positioning, and commercial potential of a game project. 

In the first part of the talk, Özgür Deveci discussed the fundamental structure of a successful pitch deck and explained which elements should be emphasized when presenting a game to industry professionals. Topics such as game identity, target audience, core gameplay loop, market positioning, visual presentation, monetization potential, and production planning were addressed through practical examples and industry-based observations. 

The event also highlighted the importance of clear communication and strategic thinking in the game industry. Students were introduced to the idea that a pitch deck is not only a presentation tool, but also a way of defining a project’s strengths, direction, and unique value in a competitive market. In this context, the talk offered participants a broader perspective on the relationship between game design, production, and marketing. 

Drawing on his professional experience in business development, Deveci also shared practical recommendations on how students and emerging developers can present their projects more effectively, avoid common mistakes, and better prepare themselves for professional opportunities in the industry. 

During the interactive Q&A session held at the end of the event, students had the opportunity to ask questions about pitching strategies, publisher expectations, presentation techniques, industry communication, and career development. The session provided valuable insight for students interested not only in game development, but also in the business and communication aspects of the industry. 

Through events such as GameTalks #13, the Department of Digital Game Design continues to bring students together with professionals from the field, contributing to both their creative and professional development. 

Our Head of the Department of Art and Culture Management & Painter, Prof. Dr. Reyhan Uludağ, celebrated earning her professorship title with a special event held in Istanbul on April 4, 2026. This one-night exhibition, featuring selected works from different periods of the artist's career, showcased Prof. Dr. Uludağ's unique visual language and intellectual depth to art lovers.

Prof. Dr. Reyhan Uludağ, who stands out with her powerful narrative interwoven with layers of time, memory, and emotion, nourished her artistic production with her academic background, offering viewers a multi-layered experience. The event was a significant gathering that highlighted the artist's years of work and the strong connection between academia and art.

The evening, attended by a limited number of guests, brought together distinguished figures from the art, academia, and business worlds. Among the guests were Tamer Levent, Dilek Türker, Mehmet Çebiç, Belma Mamati, Şenol İpek, Mehmet Mandacı (former Kültür Director, current Vice President), and Bekir Aksoy and his wife; businesspeople, collectors, and leading representatives of the art world also showed great interest in the event.

The event, realized with the contributions of YEF Art Gallery, took place in the distinguished atmosphere offered by the CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel with its Bosphorus view. Yasemin Aslan Bakiri, who curated the evening, evaluated Prof. Dr. Reyhan Uludağ's work as "a powerful space of expression that brings together intellectual and emotional layers."

The Department of Public Relations and Advertising organized an event titled "On Public Relations with Alumni..." on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 13:00. Speakers at the event included Koray Eren Aydemir, Investment Support Specialist at Aytemiz Investment; Rojda Saniye İlhan, Internal Communication Employee Experience Specialist at Go Company; and Neşe Dila Çelikbaş, Human Resources Specialist at Empa Elektronik, all alumni from 2024. They provided students with information about the changing field and practices of public relations, discussed post-graduation job search processes, how to improve themselves, and shared their own experiences. Students attending the event had the opportunity to learn about public relations practices firsthand and gain insight into the experiences of the alumni.

Senior Project students of the Department of Industrial Engineering visited the UPS Türkiye Istanbul European Transfer Center on March 27, 2026, accompanied by the Head of Department, Assist. Prof. Duygun Fatih Demirel. The students had the opportunity to observe logistics and transfer center operations on-site, while also conducting field observations and collecting data for their projects.

The Department of Radio, Television and Cinema held an event titled "From Prompt to Stage: Building a Cinematic World with Artificial Intelligence" on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

The event, featuring Lecturer Dr. Murat Fırat as a speaker, addressed the transformative role of artificial intelligence technologies in cinema and visual narrative production. Extensive discussions were held on production processes ranging from text to visuals, AI-assisted content development methods, and practices for building cinematic worlds.

Our students, who had the opportunity to closely examine the possibilities that current technologies offer to creative processes, participated in a productive discussion on the new perspectives that artificial intelligence has opened up in the field of film and video production.

Organized by the Geek Club to strengthen the bond among its members, a board game event was held on Friday, April 3, between 13:00–18:00 at INNSide in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

Organized by the Program of Public Relations and Promotion of the Vocational School, the talk titled “Personal Branding & Digital Leadership” was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 11:30 in Lecture Hall 1A01 of the İncirli building at the Bakırköy Campus. 

The event featured Selin Batı, President of Piar Communication Agency, as the speaker. Topics such as personal branding and leadership in the digital world were discussed. 

The speaker also shared her professional experience and informed students about building a personal brand, standing out in the digital world, and developing leadership skills.

The Istanbul Kültür University Alumni Association (İKÜMED) organized a "Speaking Club" event on Wednesday, April 8, from 16:30 to 18:00 at INNSide in the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus. The second event, where alumni and students come together to practice language skills, will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

The Dean of Students Office - Kültür Point will be organizing a "Business English" training session on Monday, April 13, via the CATS platform, to support our students and alumni in their career planning processes.

As part of the Istanbul Kültür University Department of Architecture events, a discussion titled "Meeting with Alumni of the Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture" will be held. Moderated by Lecturer Şeyda Şen, the event will feature alumni Orkan Zeynel Güzelci, Baran Taşçı, Gamze Çiçekoğlu, and Şafak Çelik as speakers. It will take place on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 10:30 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall in the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

The Department of Educational Sciences will be organizing a conference titled "Being a Positive Person in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" to foster awareness and support positive personality traits in individuals adapting to the age of artificial intelligence. The event, featuring Dr. Çisem Uzun as the speaker, will take place on Monday, April 13, at 12:00 in classroom BK A-503 at the Küçükçekmece Campus.

The Institute of Graduate Education will be organizing a workshop titled "In Pursuit of Data: Qualitative Research Workshop" to inform participants about ensuring study reliability, transforming qualitative methods into mixed methods, designing publishable qualitative research, sample selection, data collection techniques, and data analysis methods. The event, featuring Ertuğrul Türksever as a speaker, will take place on Monday, April 13, at 18:00 via Microsoft Teams.

The New Media and Communication Club, in collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office and the Department of New Media and Communication, will organize the "AI Summit" event, which will address the transformations created by artificial intelligence in new media fields, especially digital marketing, e-commerce, and design. The event, featuring speakers Gökhan Çam, Orhan Özdemir, Cüneyt Bakıoğlu, and Ata Güneş, will be held on Tuesday, April 14, at 9:00 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall in the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

The Air Logistics Program will be organizing a talk titled "Treasures Above the Clouds: Valuable Cargo Transportation," which will address fundamental concepts, security protocols, logistics processes, and industry practices related to valuable cargo transportation. The event, featuring Ayhan Kaya from Brink's Global Services Türkiye as a speaker, will take place on Tuesday, April 14, at 11:00 in Amphitheater 1A01 of the İncirli building at the Bakırköy Campus.

Organized by the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, a technical visit to DEKA Elektronik will take place on Tuesday, April 14 between 12:00–16:30.

In collaboration with the Department of Common Courses and the Department of English Language and Literature, a "Career Planning Workshop" will be organized to guide students on their career planning journey. The event, featuring İpek Gözütok Sarıtaş and Sinem Özgün from the Liber Culture and Art Association as speakers, will take place on Tuesday, April 14, at 13:00  in the Design Factory located in the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

Organized in collaboration between UZEMER and the Dean of Students, this training is designed for students preparing for TEKNOFEST competitions or those interested in programming. Delivered by Computer Engineer Boran Toktay, the training will take place on Tuesday, April 14 between 14:00–18:00 in the 4th floor multi-purpose hall of the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus.

The E-Commerce and Marketing Program will be organizing an event titled "From Search Engine Optimization to Generative Engine Optimization (SEO to GEO)," which will address the transition process from traditional search engine optimization (SEO) to AI-based generative engine optimization (GEO). The event, featuring Digital Marketing Specialist Sema Koca, an alumni of the program, will take place on Tuesday, April 14, at 14:00 in the 4A01 amphitheater in the İncirli building at the Bakırköy Campus.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science will be organizing an event titled "SQL Query Optimization in Relational Databases," which will address current developments in computer science and database management. The event, featuring Dr. Emilia Loredana POP, a faculty member from Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania, will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 10:00 in the Erdal İnönü Seminar Hall in the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Program will be organizing an event titled "İSKAV Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technologies Sector Information Meeting" to inform students about the sector. The event, featuring ISKAV General Secretary Cem Savcı and İSKAV Education and Laboratory Commission Chairman Turgay Yay as speakers, will be held on Wednesday, April 15, at 10:30 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall in the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus.

Organized by the Faculty of Law, this conference aims to inform participants about the contributions of the first university established in Istanbul to the field of law. Prof. Dr. M. Turgut Öz will be the speaker. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 15 at 11:00 in the Fahamettin Akıngüç Amphitheater at the Bahçelievler Campus.

Students of the Program of Tourism and Hotel Management will attend the “Delta By Marriott Hotel Career Days” event on Wednesday, April 15 at 13:00.

Organized by the Department of Communication and Design, this talk aims to inform students about freelance working practices. Attorney Sertaç Oğul and Dr. Ayşe Erol will be the speakers. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 15 at 13:00 in the Erdal İnönü Seminar Hall at the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

The Department of Radio, Television and Cinema will organize a talk titled “Ways of Communicating the Climate Crisis: Effective Communication Strategies” to inform students about the climate crisis and strengthen their professional skills. Assoc. Prof. İlknur Doğu Öztürk, Head of the Program of Public Relations and Promotion at Doğuş University, will be the speaker. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 15 at 13:00 in the multi-purpose hall on the 1st floor of the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus.

Organized by the Healthy Nutrition Club, this symposium will address the systemic effects of gut microbiota from a multidisciplinary perspective. Expert dietitians Orçun Kürüm, Karanfil Özdemir, Dilay Yavuz, Nazlınur Aydın, and Berna Göbeloğlu will be the speakers. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 15 at 15:00 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall at the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

Organized by the Economics Club, the “EkoZeka Competition” will be held on Wednesday, April 15 at 16:00 at INNSide in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

The Faculty of Law will be organizing an event titled "Protection of Personal Data in E-Commerce Applications" to support the professional development of students. The event, featuring Dr. Serkan Seyhan as a speaker, will be held on Wednesday, April 15, at 16:00 via Microsoft Teams.

Organized by the Faculty of Law, this conference aims to inform participants about mergers and acquisitions, an important field within corporate law. Attorney Onur Ergün will be the speaker. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 15 at 18:00 via Microsoft Teams.

Organized in collaboration between the IKU Creative Club and the Department of Public Relations and Advertising, this workshop aims to engage students in advertising and creative strategy practices. Speakers include Erge Güçlü Ayar, Çağatay Gültekin, İpek Şurdum, and Burak Gürses. The event will be held on Thursday, April 16 at 11:00 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall at the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

Organized in collaboration between the New Media and Communication Club and the Department of New Media and Communication, this talk aims to present the core dynamics of building a strong brand. Brand Consultant İlayda Bilek from Küçük & Co. will be the speaker. The event will take place on Thursday, April 16 at 11:00 in the multi-purpose hall on the 1st floor of the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus.

Organized by the Department of Digital Game Design, this talk aims to examine audience targeting, budget management, and publishing strategies, while introducing students to the dynamics of indie game marketing. Game Marketer & Multidisciplinary Producer Ata Deniz Oktay will be the speaker. The event will take place on Thursday, April 16 at 13:00 in classroom AK-B11 at the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

Organized in collaboration between UZEMER and the Dean of Students, this training is aimed at students preparing for TEKNOFEST competitions or those interested in the field. The training will be delivered by Computer Engineer Boran Toktay and will take place on Thursday, April 16 between 14:00–18:00 in the 4th floor multi-purpose hall of the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus.

In collaboration with the Vocational School and the Design Factory, an event titled "In Pursuit of Light: Where Science and Art Meet" will be held as part of the "IKU Science Café" series. The event, featuring our Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. Mehmet Özer as the speaker, will take place on Thursday, April 16, at 14:00 at the Design Factory in the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

The Career Club will host an interview aimed at raising students’ awareness and motivation regarding entrepreneurship. The event, where jeweler Ersan Gülmez—also known as "Ersan Diamond" on social media—will share his entrepreneurial experiences as a speaker, will take place on Thursday, April 16, at 15:00 in the Akıngüç Auditorium and Arts Center at the Ataköy Building on the Bakırköy Campus.

In collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering and the Graduate School of Education, the event titled “Design the Future with Solid Edge: First Steps into the Siemens World” will be held to discuss Solid Edge’s role in the engineering world and its current application areas in industry. The event, featuring speakers Ahmet Kaya and Öykün Sönmez from İkiz Yazılım and Samet Barış from Siemens, will take place on Friday, April 17, at 10:00 in the Önder Öztunalı Seminar Hall at the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

In collaboration between the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design and the Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema, a discussion titled "Colors III" will be held to demonstrate that color is not merely an aesthetic choice but a powerful narrative tool, and to discuss its role in spatial design. The event, featuring architect Gökhan Avcıoğlu as the speaker, will take place on Friday, April 17, at 13:00 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall at the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics will host an event titled "European Network of Dietetic Students (ENDietS): International Opportunities and Networking" to introduce our students to ENDietS and discuss internationalization. The event, featuring speakers Specialist Dietitian Ezgi Melody Kolay, Dietitian Nilce Özdamar, Intern Dietitian Zeynep Mercanoğlu, and Lecturer Dietitian Sinem Şanlı, will take place on Friday, April 17, at 13:00 in Seminar Room B1, Building C, at the Bahçelievler Campus.

The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering will host an event titled "Engineering in Modern Advanced Healthcare Technologies: Robotic Surgical Platforms" to inform students about engineering applications and career opportunities in modern and innovative healthcare technologies. The event, featuring Muhittin Kopan from Medtronic as the speaker, will take place on Friday, April 17, at 13:00 in Seminar Room 2, Ground Floor, D Corridor, Ataköy Building, Bakırköy Campus.

The Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design will announce the most successful projects of the 2025-2026 Fall Semester and hold an awards ceremony on Friday, April 17, at 15:00 in the Önder Öztunalı Conference Hall at the Ataköy Building on the Bakırköy Campus.