The Spring Concert, organized by the Dean of Students Office as part of the “2026 Art Tunnel” events, provided our students with an unforgettable evening on Friday, May 8, 2026, in the back garden of the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

The event program, which brought together art, music, and sports, was held with high participation and great enthusiasm.

Organized by the Design Factory of Istanbul Kültür University on April 28, 2026, Ants Fusion 2026 was successfully completed as one of the most comprehensive experience-oriented organizations within the university, with its unique structure positioned at the intersection of digital culture, the gaming ecosystem, and performative arts.

In line with the innovative approach of the Design Factory, the event offered a dynamic structure that was more than just a scheduled organization; it was a multi-layered experience area shaped by participants and transformed by instant interactions. Every component, from spatial design to content diversity, was designed to ensure that visitors were active participants in the process rather than just spectators.

Ants Fusion 2026 brought together stakeholders from different disciplines, creating a strong ground for interaction and cooperation among content creators, game developers, brands, and creative communities. The data obtained clearly demonstrated the scope of the impact created by the organization. With over 3,800 participants, 170 cosplayers contributed visually and performatively to the atmosphere. While over 610,000 impressions were achieved on social media channels, reaching a total of 886,990 impressions globally via the Steam platform consolidated the event's digital visibility at an international level. Additionally, the event, which featured more than 30 companies, clearly demonstrated the strengthening interaction between the sector and academia.

The “Kültür Cup Sports Events,” organized by the Istanbul Kültür University Dean of Students Office Sports Coordination, concluded with an award ceremony following

competitions held between May 5-8, 2026. This year, the event, which included seven different branches – volleyball, streetball, futsal, chess, tennis, table tennis, and arm wrestling – was completed with great student interest and a high spirit of fair play.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Sports Coordinator Assist. Prof. İsmail Çakıt emphasized that the Kültür Cup is not only a sports event but also an important social and cultural movement that strengthens university culture. He stated that the main goal throughout the organization was to make the discipline, solidarity, and unifying power of sport a permanent part of university life.

During this year's comprehensive “Kültür Cup,” students had the opportunity to forge new friendships and experience team spirit while competing in various branches.

Thanks were extended to Sports Expert Ali Saral, Sports Club Presidents Alp Kaya and Hasan Hüseyin Karakoç, referees, staff, and all athletes involved in the organization for their contributions throughout the sports competitions.

The SineKültür Interuniversity Short Film Festival, organized for the seventh time this year by the Istanbul Kültür University Faculty of Art and Design, Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema, concluded with an awards ceremony held on Friday, May 8, 2026, following three days of action-packed events. Throughout the festival, short films from various universities met with the audience, creating an atmosphere full of cinema and enjoyment.

The awards ceremony, the closing event of the festival, began with the opening speech of our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe. Emphasizing that opening spaces for the artistic productions of young people is one of the fundamental responsibilities of universities, Prof. Dr. Yüksektepe highlighted the contribution of such festivals to the development of young filmmakers. Expressing that she found the progress the festival has made over seven years to be very valuable, our Rector congratulated the students and academics involved.

Following the Rector’s speech, our Head of the Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema, Assoc. Prof. Perihan Taş Öz, delivered a speech thanking everyone who contributed to the festival process and shared our department's vision for young filmmakers with the participants.

As the ceremony continued, the awards found their owners. The most beautiful part of the festival was watching the productions of young filmmakers together, exchanging ideas, and sharing the same excitement.

The Intellectual Property Rights Application and Research Center (FİHAMER) organized an event titled Protection of Well-Known Trademarks Against Dilution on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Bahçelievler Campus. Moderated by FİHAMER Director Prof. Dr. M. İlhan Ulusan, the event featured Assoc. Prof. Gül Büyükkılıç from the Faculty of Law at Marmara University as the keynote speaker. Attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Cemile Gökyayla, the session evaluated the concepts of well-known trademarks and trademark dilution. Within this scope, legal remedies against actions referred to as dilution, which damage the distinctiveness and reputation of well-known trademarks, were examined under the Industrial Property Law No. 6769, comparative law, and judicial decisions.

The fourth installment of the "Social Media School" event series, organized in cooperation with the Istanbul Kültür University Design Factory and the Creative Club, was completed on Monday, May 11, with high participation and intense interaction. The program, which was originally planned as three events but expanded to a fourth due to high demand, was carried out in line with the Design Factory's learning-oriented approach. Social media production was handled not merely as a visibility-based process, but within a framework of strategic thinking, sustainable production, and long-term value building. In this context, the session aimed to develop a holistic perspective on content production processes.

Merve Kutlu, who participated as a guest in the 4th session of the program, evaluated content production as a long-term discipline. Kutlu shared evaluations on establishing production continuity, creating a lasting impact on social media, and the decisive elements in revealing real influence. Stating that content production does not consist only of instantaneous posts, our guest shared comprehensive information on how it requires a planned and sustainable approach.

The event, which proceeded interactively, strengthened information sharing and contributed to the emergence of different perspectives on content production.

The "Social Media School," brought to life by the Design Factory, continues its activities with a structure that encourages qualified information sharing in the field of content production. The program is planned to continue in the coming periods with different topics and an expanding participant profile.

Prof. Dr. Rana Kutlu and Assistant. Prof. Arzu Erçetin, academics from our Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, participated as invited speakers at the “23rd Meeting of Interior Architecture Department Heads” held at Çankaya University on May 8, 2026. At the meeting, our professors presented their paper titled “SPACE; A Reading on the Educational Outcomes of Different Universities in the Context of the Interior Architecture Diploma Projects Competition.”

Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Center for Sustainable Development (SÜRKAM) organized the GreenSpark events between May 4–8, 2025, at the Design Factory located in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

Part of an international project supported by the European Union and coordinated by Università del Salento, the event series focused on both theoretical and practical aspects of sustainable development. The program included design workshops centered on recycling and upcycling, idea development for campus sustainability, pilates exercises, and campus visits where sustainability practices were examined on-site.

On the final day, a closing ceremony was held with the participation of national and international guests. The program concluded with gift presentations to the students who contributed to the project and evaluation speeches.

In collaboration with the Istanbul Kültür University Dean of Students Office-Kültür Point and the Vocational School, an event titled “CV Preparation Processes and Interview Techniques” was held on Monday, May 11, 2026, in the multipurpose hall on the 4th floor of the Ataköy building in the Bakırköy Campus. The event, featuring Tuğba Aydınlı, Human Resources

Manager at Ali Raif İlaç, provided students with comprehensive information on effective resume preparation methods, points to consider in recruitment processes, and interview techniques. Participants had the opportunity to gain valuable experiences that will benefit their career journeys.

The Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design organized an Alumni Meet-up on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in the 3rd-floor multi-purpose hall of the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus. Moderated by Inst. Dr. Elif Gelmez, the event featured alumni Inst. Dr. Handan Güzelci, Interior Architect Nilay Dağlar Özcan, and Interior Architect Tuğçe Dilara Kızrak as speakers.

Our Head of the Department of Common Courses, Assoc. Prof. Selda Salman, participated as an invited speaker in the event titled Under the Skin: Power, Desire, and Resistance, organized by the Department of Sociology at Istanbul Gelişim University on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

In her speech titled Hegemonic Masculinity and the Body, Dr. Salman addressed the pressure exerted by patriarchal masculinity on all bodies and how this pressure shapes individuals' body perceptions. Examining the processes and reasons behind the spread of idealized body forms on today’s social media platforms, she drew attention to the impact of this perception on younger generations, particularly starting from the teenage years.

A rooftop tour was held in the Grand Bazaar on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, with the participation of Vocational School academics and students from the Program of Tourism and Hotel Management. In the event held in a historical atmosphere, participants had the opportunity to discover Istanbul from a different perspective and observe the cultural fabric of the city closely.

An event titled “Participation Insurance in Türkiye: Opportunities and Areas for Development” was organized by the Program of Banking and Insurance on May 11, 2026. Neslihan Neciboğlu, General Manager of Neova Katılım Sigorta & Board Member of the Insurance Association of Türkiye, participated as a speaker in the event, which was held with great student interest, and shared her experiences in the insurance sector and her career journey. In the event moderated by Lect. Serpil Akyol Erden and Lect. Esra Erik Akyol, current developments in participation insurance, opportunities in the sector, and professional requirements were discussed in detail. Participants found direct answers from an expert to their questions regarding the insurance sector and gained an inspiring perspective for their career planning.

Eda Karakaya participated as a speaker in the seminar held on Thursday, May 7th, as part of the “IEU0001-Marketing for Everyone” course offered in the Department of Industrial Engineering.

An interview titled “Logistics Operation Processes and Career Opportunities” was organized by the IKU Vocational School (MYO) on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the İncirli building of the Bakırköy Campus. HR Experts Baran Çınar, Fatma Nur Sucuoğlu, and Ezgi Altunkeser from Karınca Logistics took part as speakers in the event, which drew heavy interest from students.

Within the scope of the interview, information was provided regarding career opportunities in the logistics sector, recruitment and operation processes, and the participants' questions were answered.

As part of the "Personnel Certification Activities" conducted within the Istanbul Kültür University Continuous Education Application and Research Center (IKUSEM), Accreditation & Audit Specialist Ceyhan Tektel represented IKU-SEM at the "Sustainability and Quality Assurance Workshop in the National Qualifications System," organized by the Vocational Qualifications Authority in Ankara on May 7-8, 2026.

The workshop was attended by the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, as well as Deputy Ministers, Board Members, high-level representatives from public institutions and organizations, social partners, academics, and representatives of Authorized Certification Bodies.

The workshop followed the evaluations conducted in sessions focusing on the sustainability of the national qualifications system, quality assurance practices, examination and certification processes, digital transformation efforts, and the development of uniformity in application. The workshop, where industry experiences were shared, also addressed solution proposals and areas of collaboration for the future of the national qualifications system.

During the two-day program, significant assessments were made regarding strengthening quality assurance, improving audit structures, increasing institutional capacity, and more effective use of digital capabilities. The aim is for the views and suggestions put forward at the workshop to contribute to making the national qualifications system more effective, transparent, and sustainable.

The Istanbul Kültür University Program of Fashion Design held a seminar titled “Sustainability in the Textile Sector” on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Kemal Say, General Manager of Ibertex Nonwovens Türkiye, participated as a speaker, evaluating the concept of sustainability specifically within the textile and apparel sector, drawing on his more than 20 years of industry experience and international perspective.

The event covered fundamental concepts of sustainability, its historical development, ecological processes, green transformation, circular economy, and zero-waste approaches; while the European Union Green Deal, the CBAM process, and Türkiye’s adaptation efforts towards this transformation were presented with sector-focused examples.

The seminar, which shared concrete examples of current practices in the textile and apparel field, offered students a guiding experience both theoretically and practically. Participants gained a comprehensive perspective on the critical role of sustainable production in the fashion and textile sector.

The Head of the Program of Civil Aviation Cabin Services Inst. Oğuz Sönmezoğlu, Safety and Compliance Monitoring Officer Inst. Sinem İkien, and the Head of the Program of Flight Operations Management Inst. Evren Yılmaz—who previously visited SHGM to discuss the KDM system and changing educational processes—introduced the system to academics during an information meeting held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, as part of the new KDM system launched by SHGM.

During the meeting held by academics who closely follow current developments in aviation and take a leading role in sectoral transformation processes, the operation of the KDM system, training and implementation processes, and its contributions to aviation education were discussed in detail. Furthermore, the importance of the system in terms of strengthening university-industry cooperation and ensuring compliance with SHGM standards was emphasized.

The Department of Nursing held an "Alumni-Student Meeting" on Thursday, May 7. Our alumni Damla Akay, Leyla Akboğa, Özgenur Dağ, Emre Eser Saba, and Nisanur Çaça, who participated in the event as speakers, answered our students' questions.

In collaboration with the Program of Flight Operations Management and the Civil Aviation Club, a talk titled "From Dream to Cockpit: Career Talk with Pegasus Captains" was held on Friday, May 8, 2026. Pegasus Airlines Captain Pilots Gizem Avşar Yamak and Hamdi Berker Yücel, who participated as speakers, shared their experiences and career journeys in the aviation sector with the participants. The talk, moderated by our Flight Operations Management Program Head, Lecturer Evren Yılmaz, covered in detail the process of becoming a pilot, current developments in the sector, and professional requirements.

Our students, who received direct answers to their questions about the aviation sector from experts, also gained an inspiring perspective for their career planning.

Elif Kemal from the Istanbul Kültür University Department of English Language and Literature gave a presentation titled "The Use of Mythological Elements in Advertising and the Analysis of Mythological Signs According to Roland Barthes" to the students of the Department of Public Relations and Advertising. The talk, where the use of mythic signs by brands in advertisements was discussed with examples, ended with the presentation of a commemorative plate.

The Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema will organize the 1st Documentary Film Production Days event on Monday, May 18, at 10:00 in the 3rd-floor multi-purpose hall of the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus.

The Promotion Days for the Integrated Master’s Program, which is being prepared by the Institute of Graduate Studies to be implemented as of the Fall Semester of the 2026-2027 Academic Year, will be held. The event, where the Assistant Director of the Institute of Graduate Studies, Assist. Prof. Artür Yetvart Mumcu, will be the speaker, will take place on Monday, May 18, at 13:00 in the Küçükçekmece Campus Conference Hall.

In collaboration with the Performing Arts Club and the Turkish Art Music (TSM) Choir, the Devr-i Daim 3: Singing Together event will be held on Monday, May 18, at 13:30 in the front garden of the Ataköy building at the Bakırköy Campus to strengthen the bond between our alumni and students.

The Faculty of Education will organize the Florya Atatürk Forest Technical Trip: Environmental Education in Early Childhood event on Tuesday, May 19, between 10:00 and 17:00, in order to increase the environmental awareness of teacher candidates.

In collaboration with the Atatürkist Thought Club and the Atatürk Principles and Revolution History Research and Application Center (ATAMER), the "Traditional May 19th Atatürk March" event will be held as part of the "May 19th Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day" celebrations. A bus will depart from the front gate of the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus at 10.00 on Tuesday, May 19, for the march to take place in Belgrad Forest.

In collaboration with UZEMER and the Dean of Students Office, a "Python Programming Training" will be organized for students preparing for and interested in the subject of TEKNOFEST competitions. The training, given by Computer Engineer Boran Toktay, will be held on Tuesday, May 19, between 14.00 and 18.00 in the multipurpose hall on the 4th floor of the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus.

The Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences will be holding the "II. Student Workshop" on Wednesday, May 20, from 10.00 to 17.00 at the Küçükçekmece Campus to support students' academic development.

The IKU Molecular Sciences and Spectroscopy Application and Research Center will be organizing the "1st IKU-SPECTRA International Spectroscopy Congress (ICS 2026)" on May 21-22, 2026, at the Akıngüç Auditorium and Arts Center. The congress aims to strengthen university-industry-public sector collaboration by bringing together researchers working in the fields of basic and applied molecular spectroscopy. Detailed information about the congress can be found at https://ics2026.iku.edu.tr/.

The "Interview with Ayhan Usta" event will be organized by the Department of Architecture to support our students in their career planning processes. The event, where Prof. Dr. Ayhan Usta, a faculty member from the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, will share his experiences with students, will take place on Thursday, May 21 at 11.00 in the Erdal İnönü Seminar Hall at the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

In cooperation with UZEMER and the Dean of Students Office, "LLM and NLP Training" will be organized for students interested in the subject and those preparing for TEKNOFEST competitions. The training, provided by Computer Engineer Boran Toktay, will be held on Thursday, May 21 between 14.00-18.00 in the 4th-floor multi-purpose hall at the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.

In cooperation with UZEMER and the Dean of Students Office, "LLM and NLP Training" will be organized for students interested in the subject and those preparing for TEKNOFEST competitions. The training, provided by Computer Engineer Boran Toktay, will be held on Friday, May 22 between 14.00-18.00 via the CATS platform.

The Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation will organize an "Alumni Panel" event at the Bahçelievler Campus on Friday, May 22, to strengthen the bond between our graduates and students. As part of the program starting at 15.00, students and graduates will meet in the B1 seminar hall to listen to alumni talks. At 17.00, a music recital and refreshments will be provided in the front garden.

Organized by the Dean of Students Office - Kültür Point, the "Club Best of Awards Ceremony" will take place on Wednesday, May 20 at 16.00 at the Akıngüç Auditorium and Art Center in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus.