Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Head of the Board of Trustees Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver published a message regarding the IKU agenda which has changed with the New Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

My Dear Kültür Family

In this first message of the new year, as the Head of the Board of Trustees and as a member of the Founding Family, the most important agenda of mine is to know how to increase the happiness and well-being of my colleagues at work.

We are following the promising developments regarding the second wave. The first vaccination process of the COVID 19 was realized in our country last week. As Istanbul Kültür University, we allocated the necessary resources for vaccination in December in order to establish the highest level of health and safety in our work environment. At this stage, we continue to investigate and follow up the applicability of the process.

I would like to take this occasion to state that I follow the studies conducted at our university with interest and appreciation for our psychological health and endurance. I would like to thank both our Department of Health, Culture and Sports that is under the management of Dr. Dilek Baykal, and our Guidance and Psychological Counseling Application and Research Center, which provides intensive service at our university, especially during the pandemic period, with the great effort of the Clinical Psychologist Alev Yıldırım.

The 2020-2021 academic year will be a year in which we will protect and develop our organizational psychology. In this context, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Önder Kavakcı, Head of the Psychology Department of our university, and esteemed academicians of our department are preparing an important study regarding the organizational climate and psychology of Kültür. Our main goal in this evaluation study, which will be held only for our staff in the university, and which  we will share the details in the upcoming days; is to measure the intensity of possible burnout, anxiety, stress we experienced during the pandemic period and even its effect on our lives. In other words, to be able to define the problem in different dimensions. According to the results of this study, which will be shaped by the knowledge of our Head of Department, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Önder Kavakcı, and of our psychology department and by the experience in the field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, we will be able to develop solutions that are relevant for the needs of the Kültür Family. Name and other personal information of any member participating in the evaluation will not be requested. I can assure you on this. It is important that we can express ourselves clearly in the study that will be prepared within the framework of the ethical standards of psychological science. I would like to convey my thanks and wishes to our Head of Department Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Önder Kavakcı and our Psychology department. I would like to state once again that this study, which will be carried out for the first time to reveal the big picture regarding our organizational psychology, is very valuable for Kültür climate; I especially ask you to support the study with your participation and opinions.

My Dear Kültür Family,

Our Rectorate Office shares with you weekly the calendar of the remote working process that we have put into use as of December 1, 2020. At this point, we will continue our business processes with the remote working system until February 1, 2021. However, according to our academic calendar, we are about to complete the fall semester of our university. Finals, perhaps the most sensitive period of the academic year for our students, academic staff and families, started last week. We have experience in digital measurement and evaluation in the first phase of the pandemic. With the CATS V3, which we put into use in the 2020-2021 academic year, improvements were made to increase the performance of exam applications. Of course, every exam has a mental, emotional and intellectual weight. The reflections left by students and academics are also different. Measurement and evaluation, which is inherently difficult, have become even sharper during the pandemic period. When I interpret the events from both our students and academics’ point of views, I am aware that the process is not easy at all. However, this is a different period. The recovery of learning is always possible. I trust our academicians in managing this final period with an approach that will strengthen and reinforce the communication between student and academician and set an example for other universities.

My Dear Kültür Family,

2021, in spite of everything, has brought good developments that make us smile and worth sharing. We met in the first week of the year for the 95th anniversary of our Honorary President Master of Civil Engineering Fahamettin Akıngüç. The messages of our Honorary President on living in this meeting that we held digitally due to the circumstances were hopeful for us. Our Honorary President shared with us that living is so beautiful that it cannot be left to chance, it will not be given up, and it is meaningful enough to be worth all struggles and stubbornness, and then conveyed his love and salutations to our university members.

Hoping to meet again on our campuses as Kültür Family as soon as possible,

Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver
İKÜ Head of the Board of Trustees

'CoronaVac' vaccine develepod in China against Covid-19 arrived in Turkey. With the introduction of the vaccine, the number of topics about vaccine types and vaccine application is increasing. Assoc. Prof. Pınar Obakan Yerlikaya, a faculty member of the Faculty of Science and Literature, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, who continues her research on the development of various drug active ingredients against COVID-19 with her work team and cooperation partners, gave information about the COVID 19 virus vaccines and vaccines.

As a biomedical initiative that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies, as in the case of exposure to the disease, and thus enables to develop immunity without getting sick, the vaccine is known as powerful weapons to prevent diseases in children, adults and the elderly. Vaccines that prevent the disease individually and control the spread of the pathogen in the society in terms of public health, prevent diseases. It is also important in terms of sustainability in health systems, as it limits processes such as diagnostic tests, treatment and hospitalization.

Genetic Factor in Vaccine Protection 

Stating that vaccines against more than ten viruses have been developed and successfully applied all over the world, Assoc. Prof. Pınar Obakan Yerlikaya stated that the prevalence of diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, rubella, which can be fatal, thanks to the routine vaccination strategy for children, especially in Europe has fallen. Stating that vaccination plays a critical role in preventing some cancers such as cervix and liver triggered by viruses other than viral diseases, Yerlikaya explained the limits of the protective effect in a vaccine: While talking about vaccines developed for SARS-COV-2, which is a disease factor of COVID-19, individuals started to read and hear the term protection in the press. It is explained that the vaccines developed are protective between 62% and 95%. The term protection over a percent of the vaccine explains how many of the hundred people who receive the vaccine will be protected from the disease by the vaccine. So if a vaccine is 90% protective, 90 out of 100 vaccinated people are protected from the disease. Although it is always set out as 100% protection in the development of vaccines, this is not possible because the genetic structures of the individuals who make up the society may be different and their responses against the virus may also differ. The effectiveness of vaccines therefore varies. For measles and rubella vaccines, the efficacy after two doses was 99%, while this rate was 80% for mumps. Some vaccines have also been shown to decrease in effectiveness over time. Social immunity studies have shown that there is no limit to talk about the protective effect of a vaccine. For example, this value was stated as 33-44% for influenza and 92-95% for measles. At this point, the higher the efficiency, the more effective the protection from the disease should be considered, because the higher the percentage value, the more people will be immune and the more effective the ending of the pandemic.

Our teacher, who also gave information about the vaccine types, which is another issue that the public is curious about with the COVID-19 vaccine studies, states that the vaccines are generally examined under two main headings, conventional (classic) and biotechnological. Noting that the vaccines developed against SARS-COV-2 are designed following both classical and biotechnological methods, our teacher summarized the current COVID19 vaccines as follows: CoronaVac, owned by Sinovac company, is an inactive vaccine. When inactivated SARS-COV-2 is administered to individuals as a vaccine, the immune system develops a response. BNT162 vaccine, developed in partnership with BioNtech / Pfizer, is an RNA vaccine. RNA vaccines have the advantages of being produced faster and less costly.

Vaccine Development Is a Process

The operation of the process is another topic discussed in the public when there are mutations or side effects that occur following the vaccine administration. Pınar Obakan stated that following the development of vaccines, they were first tested in laboratory environment (in vitro on various cells) and experimental animals (in vivo), and then clinical trials with volunteers were started, and Yerlikaya stated that development was a process, not a result. Phase I-II-III and IV studies are conducted with an increasing number of volunteers to collect information about the vaccine's operation, dosage, safety and protection. It is developed to make the vaccine the most effective with the feedbacks made at these stages. After the phase studies, with the scientific evaluation and permits obtained from the health authorities, large-scale production is realized and individuals are vaccinated in line with appropriate strategies. Within the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, the evaluation period of vaccines has been shortened by the FDA in the USA and the EMA in Europe. Following the phase studies, the safety and side effects data of the vaccine are continuously evaluated. The vaccine development processes continue because of it. In particular, evaluations are made in direct proportion to the mutating capacity of viruses.

About Vaccination and Side Effects

Stating that the side effects of vaccines are generally classified under two main headings, common and rare. Our teacher summarized the side effect symptoms as follows: Generally, common side effects for all vaccines include pain, swelling and redness at the injection site, muscle pain, headache, weakness, and fatigue. Rare side effects may develop depending on the type of vaccine. Reactions such as anaphylaxis (allergic shock), decreased platelet count, convulsion, and not responding to environmental stimuli can be counted. In order to understand the side effects, especially in phase studies, volunteers are monitored for these reactions at certain intervals after the application, in comparison with the group receiving placebo.

In our country COVID19 Turkey Platform, as well as many research groups of vaccines and stating that walked through the success of drug studies Assoc. Prof. Obakan Yerlikaya, COVID19 Turkey Platform vaccines and drugs virtual conference in the that is currently in our country supported nine different conventional and biotechnological vaccine candidates as shared and continue the work that stated. Drawing attention to the breakthroughs in the development of test kits, our professor stated that the graduates of the molecular biology and genetics department are working actively in the processes related to diagnosis. Obakan Yerlikaya said that this process can be overcome as soon as possible with the devotion of individuals, the strategic continuation of the vaccination processes and the efforts of scientists.

Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Graduate Education Institute Spring Term applications have started. Online applications to IKU Graduate Education Institute, which has 67 master's with thesis and non-thesis and 11 doctorate programs in 20 main branches of science and 4 main branches of art, will continue until February 5, 2021.

Istanbul Kültür University offers a wide range of graduate education programs for candidates who aim to turn the COVID 19 pandemic into opportunities for individual and career development. Graduate education programs, where applications can be made online at ensititu.iku.edu.tr, also attract attention with alternative scholarship opportunities.

IKU, which has been offering alternative programs for people who have recently received their undergraduate degree, those who have recently graduated and are currently working but want to continue their education and improve their professional development, and those who want to receive postgraduate education for many years, also stand out with scholarship opportunities in this field.

Offering 25% discount to the members of Istanbul Bar Association in Private Law / Public Law graduate programs, our university offers a 50% discount for the permanent teachers in private schools and subject to the civil servant staff numbered 657 working in Istanbul.

The scholarship criteria of IKU in graduate education, which has achievement scholarships up to 100 percent in graduate and doctorate degrees according to ALES and undergraduate diploma grade, are as follows: Students whose ALES score is 85 and above and a bachelor's degree of 3.50 and above is 100 percent; Candidates with an ALES score of 80 and above and a bachelor's degree of 3.25 and above are 75 percent; Candidates with an ALES score of 75 and above and a bachelor's degree of 3.00 and above can receive a master's degree with 50 percent scholarship.

In order to do doctorate with scholarship at IKU, for 100 percent scholarship: ALES score of 85 and above, undergraduate diploma grade of 3.00 and above, graduate diploma grade of 3.50 and above; For 75% scholarship, ALES score of 80 and above, undergraduate diploma score of 3.00 and above, graduate diploma score of 3.25 and above must meet the criteria at the same time. The criteria determined for 50 percent scholarship in the doctorate are as follows: ALES score should be 75 and above, undergraduate diploma score should be 3.00 and above, and graduate diploma score should be 3.00 and above.

Stating that during the pandemic period in IKU, the postgraduate education service was provided through the corporate distance education solution CATS, IKU Graduate Education Director Prof. Dr. Tunç Mısırlıoğlu summarized the master's and doctorate education processes in the digital environment as follows: “In the past nine months, it has been observed that our students have learned how to conduct research, organize research findings and ideas, formulate their views on certain topics, form more academic sentences and put them in writing. Of course, this process can be slow and difficult; however, it can change students' habits as a form of physical and mental exercise. Eventually, skills such as mental development, creativity, critical-analytical thinking, innovativeness, communication, emotional intelligence and problem solving abilities will be developed. These skills are the elements that employers increasingly demand from graduates in the 21st century. ”

Candidates can apply for detailed information and application of master's and doctoral programs within the Graduate Education Institute until February 5, 2021 at enstitu.iku.edu.tr.

“Start-Up Celebration” organised by the supports of Turkey Entrepreneurs and Job Mentors Association (TUGİM) and EntreCom, with the moderation of Istanbul Kültür University the Department of Entrepreneurship.

Applications for the idea challenge which aims to encourage entrepreneurs come up with new ideas about new normal, with its theme “Make Your Ideas About New Normal Come True”; in almost every field from our new normal social life to our health, from the education system to working methods and hours, from clean energy to economic models will be accepted between 1-21 February. 

Website: https://startupsoleni.iku.edu.tr/

IKU Vocational School held the third of its "Dream from New- Workshop Series" on Friday, January 15, 2021. This month's guest of the e-workshop with the slogan “Fikrim sen’de” was Writer İbrahim Metin. “What Does Language Tell Us?" themed event focused on topics that will give students different perspectives, such as the language used in daily life, the relationship between language and culture, questioning the language.

www.ikuyayinevi.com, which brings together the works published by IKU Publishing House and IKU Publications with the readers with a discount of up to 50% on the web, has been put into use as of January 12, 2020 with its new design.

"Dear Alumni,

We continue "Kültür Solidarity" under the head of "finding a job" for our young graduates. We expect, especially from our senior graduates to enter "ikum.network" and provide new graduates with job opportunities by leaving the job post they are looking for

With IKU Alumni Network, you can get news from our university and share it with your old classmates.

Let's continue "Kültür Solidarity".

Best regards,
İKÜMED”

Program of Office Management and Executive Assistance held an internship and motivation meeting for 2nd grade students on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 20:00 with the participation of Program Head Lecturer Tuğba Çedikçi and Program Advisor Lecturer Fatma Kömürcüoğlu.

IKU Vocational School held a webinar for the senior high school students of Şafak Okulları on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. In the event, which was held with the attendance of 80 people, our programs of Electric Electronic, Aircraft Technology, Alternative Energy Resources were introduced in detail. Topics that senior high school students wonder about our university were explained with the contributions of Lecturer Faruk Kara, Lecturer Gizem Yavuz and Lecturer Eylem Bayram Tuncay.

In cooperation with KKB and the Program of Banking and Insurance, an online information meeting was held on the Adobe Connect Virtual Classroom Application on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at 19:00  in order to inform Istanbul Kültür University students about the "You Imagine, We Realize Social Innovation Idea Competition". In the meeting that the head of Banking and Insurance Program Lecturer A. Berrak Köten was the moderator, and Aslıhan Öncel and Merve Çavdar from KKB Corporate Communication Unit were the guests, the questions of the students were answered.

The deadline for applications is January 25, 2021.

To watch the meeting…

For detailed information about the competition...

Ömür Kınay, one of the members of the Executive Board of the “Disabled Student Uni”t, who is the event speaker under the title of “Those Who Create Their Own Opportunity in the Traditional 5 Expert 5 Advice” project organized by Etiler Rotaract Club every year, and one of our lecturers from the Department of Communication and Design, was openly invited by the Rotaract 2420 Regional Representation to another meeting.

On January 20, Wednesday under the coordination of Rotaract 2420th District Awareness Committee and Career Development Committee, about 120 listeners, 14 clubs including Ataköy, Bakırköy, Etiler, Fatih, Galatasaray, Istanbul, Kalamış, Körfez, Ortaköy, Sarıyer, Şişli, Tarabya, Tuzla, Zekeriyaköy Rotaract attended the meeting. The meeting, which proceeded interactively with the questions and occasional contributions of regional rotaractors from young age and different occupational groups to Ömür Kınay, lasted two hours. Discussions in Kınay, earthquakes and the development of disability studies in the world and Turkey and was conveyed to the audience the experience in conjunction with the current requirement. During the meeting, ideas about what Rotaract clubs can do regarding the problems of disabled individuals, how to meet with Ömür Kınay in joint projects and to provide social benefits were also discussed. At the end of the event, our teacher was given a “Rotaract Appreciation Certificate”.

The Department of Radio, Television and Cinema released the clip that Res. Assist. Berkay Şatır shot for the new single of Italian musician Sunbernardo. The clip of the song Chiaramente was shot in Istanbul during the pandemic process and has already been accepted to many festivals such as Lift-Off Global Network and Standalone Film Festival.

One of our academicians from the Department of Industrial Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Murat Ermiş's article titled "A novel genetic algorithm-based improvement model for online communities and trust networks" was published in the journal of "Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems".

The project team including Hasibe Simay Karabunar, one of the students of the Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, was entitled to receive support for Acıbadem University Incubation Center Pre-Incubation with the wheelchair and application designed to facilitate the lives of individuals with SMA in the "Acıbadem University Solution Awareness SMA Biodesign" competition. We congratulate our student and wish her continued success.

The Fashion Design Program will organize a webinar titled "Sustainable Design" to inform IKU and vocational high school students about sustainable design. The event, in which Mavi Jeans Design Manager Vildan Altun Seylan will be a speaker, will be held on Monday, January 23 at 17:00 via Adobe Connect Virtual Classroom Application.

IKU Vocational School will organize a webinar titled “How Zeynep Tosun Brings Two Different Worlds Together: Traditional & Innovative” in order to convey all the details from the collection preparation process to the fashion show stage. The event, where Fashion Designer Zeynep Tosun will be a speaker, will be held on Monday, January 25, at 17:00 on Adobe Connect Virtual Classroom Application.

"Göbeklitepe Virtual Tour" will be organized in cooperation with Jolly Tour and Kültür Point on Monday, January 25, 2021, at 21:00. Jolly Tour guides will explain the trip to be held on the Adobe Connect Classroom Application.

IKU Vocational School will organize a webinar titled "New Generation Governance Approach" in order to share the features, advantages and application examples of the digital change and new generation governance understanding, which started with the inclusion of the Z generation in business life and gained momentum during the pandemic period. The event, where founder  of IT Governance Turkey Cantekin Ertekin will be a speaker, will be held on Monday, January 25 at 20:00, via Adobe Connect Virtual Classroom Application.

In cooperation with the Financial Literacy Club and the Program of Business Management, a webinar titled “Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Fintech Future with Devrim Danyal” will be organized to inform students about the world of fintech and its trends. The event, where Physics Engineer & Blockchain Cryptocurrency Instructor Devrim Danyal will be a speaker, will be held on Monday, January 25 at 20:00 on Adobe Connect Virtual Classroom Application.

IKU Vocational School will organize a webinar titled “New Generation Business Models” to inform students about business models shaped in line with the new world dynamics. The event, where Author & Management Consultant Asst. Prof. Fatih Anıl will be a speaker, will be held on Thursday, January 28, at 19:00, via Adobe Connect Virtual Classroom Application.

Vocational School continues to organise the “MICROSOFT TURKEY PEAKUP ONLINE EDUCATION WEBINAR SERIES” in order to gain students skill in subjects such as Microsoft Office, coding, simulation, 3D process. The event, moderated by Hande Tarhan, PEEKUP Senior Business Consultant will be carried out on January 29, Friday at 10.00, via Microsoft Teams.

Department of Business Administration will organise a webinar titled “CV Preparation Techniques” in order to teach the effective CV preparation techniques. The event in which Sena Mertel, Defacto Human Resources Business Partner is the speaker, will be on January 29, Friday, at 18.00 via CATS Meetings.

I was born in 1988 as the second child of a civil official family in Istanbul. Unlike my peers, I became an academic at Istanbul Kultur University, where I completed my undergraduate education, because it always gives me great pleasure to be at school, to spend time with teachers and to gain new knowledge. It is an indescribable happiness for me to leave the house saying that I am going to school, not work. In short, I can say that being an academic is the majority of my personality that I have now.

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