Message from Alumni

After completing my undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, I began a Master’s program in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at Yıldız Technical University, in line with my interest in materials science. During my undergraduate studies, I focused particularly on advanced materials. Based on the data I obtained during this period, I published an article in Materials Today: Communications and presented my work to an international academic audience at the IMMC 2024 conference.In addition to my academic work, I took an active role in experimental design and analysis processes in laboratory environments. I was awarded support under the TÜBİTAK 2209-A Program, which allowed me to conduct my research with a scholarship. I also gained hands-on field experience in project development and engineering applications through the TEKNOFEST Mid-Altitude Rocket Competition.All of these experiences have significantly improved my ability to transform theoretical knowledge into practical application.

After graduating from the Industrial and Systems Engineering (English) program at Istinye University, I started working at Borusan, the official distributor of the BMW brand in Turkey—one of the leading companies in its field—under the BMW Motorrad division.The companies I have worked for have greatly valued the responsibilities and duties I took on during my education, including roles such as university student representative, faculty student representative, and department student representative, as well as my active participation in various student clubs and committees.

 I work as a pilot in a private company. Although my field of study and my current profession may not seem closely related, the courses I took during my undergraduate education have been highly beneficial in areas such as team management, risk perception, and risk management. In addition, I believe that the knowledge and skills I have gained will also help me advance into a managerial position in this profession.   

Due to my interest in e-commerce, I chose Istinye University (ISU), a community that has guided me throughout my journey with mentors whose competencies I trust. It is a diverse environment that encourages the integration of various perspectives and learning approaches. My department represented a progressive mindset that focuses on developing and evolving expertise, offering an approach that goes beyond conventional academic paths.I am currently pursuing my master’s degree at the Toronto School of Management.

I graduated from the Political Science and Public Administration Department at Istinye University, the comprehensive and interdisciplinary education I received gave me strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of economic and administrative structures, these competencies have been highly valuable in my role as a Retail Portfolio Manager at VakıfBank which I continue to build upon the foundations I established during my university years, I am grateful to my instructors and my university for equipping me with the tools necessary for professional success.

I graduated from the Political Science and Public Administration Department at Istinye University and the knowledge and experience I gained in this field provided a strong foundation for my career, thanks to the education I received here I am able to move forward with confidence in both the public and private sectors.

Supportive advisors, knowledgeable professors, a positive campus environment, and amazing friends made my university journey truly special. I, not only have a International Trde diploma but also have a minor degree in radio, TV and Cinema. It was an amazing opprtunity to have them both.

My time at İstinye Üniversite was academically enriching, with supportive faculty, active student clubs, and valuable real-world learning opportunities. I’m especially grateful for the Erasmus experience, which broadened my perspective by connecting me with diverse cultures, people, and communities. As someone with a weaker passport, Erasmus made It possible for me to travel across Europe; an opportunity I otherwise wouldn’t have had. The university’s warm and personal admission process also stood out; they welcomed my family’s concerns and took the time to make my parents feel reassured and included as I prepared to study in Turkey. This level of care made a lasting impact on me. 

I am Ömer Faruk Atak, a Mechanical Engineer currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Istanbul Technical University. Throughout my university years, I developed a strong interest in the applied fields of engineering. In particular, my research on advanced engineering materials led to a publication in the international journal Materials Today: Communications, and I had the opportunity to present this work at a major international conference, IMMC 2024.During my research, I gained significant experience in experimental studies and managing laboratory processes. As a project leader, I received official support through the TÜBİTAK 2209-A Program. In addition, by participating in the TEKNOFEST Mid-Altitude Rocket Competition, I improved myself in interdisciplinary teamwork, production process management, and field applications.Currently, I work as an Airbus Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at Turkish Airlines, and I am highly motivated to bridge my academic background with industry practice.

Studying my dream department while being taught by academics who have achieved significant success in this field was a great advantage, as I had the opportunity to benefit from their experience. Their open and friendly approach in communication made our journey much easier. Although it seemed challenging at first, the events we organized starting from the first year helped us get to know the industry and build our confidence, while the articles we wrote allowed us to gain experience in academic writing. At the end of this process, I feel very lucky to have had a meaningful educational journey full of good memories, preparing me to do the work I truly love.

As a graduate of the Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department at Istinye University, I am extremely satisfied with my educational journey. Our university prepared us not only for the kitchen, but also equipped us with comprehensive skills in theoretical knowledge, presentation, hygiene, sustainability, and teamwork—shaping us into well-rounded and competent chefs. Our professors were always approachable, supportive, and inspiring, which greatly contributed to both our professional development and our self-confidence. This educational structure, aiming to train disciplined, creative, and contemporary chefs, laid a strong foundation for my professional journey. At Istinye University, we underwent a well-planned and carefully coordinated educational process that provided us with in-depth and qualified knowledge not just in a specific field, but across all aspects of the culinary world. Upon graduation, I had clearly defined my career goals and focused on my area of specialization. At the same time, thanks to the broad culinary knowledge I had gained, I 

I believe that the most important factor for a future career in Public Relations and Advertising is connections. Thanks to events and seminars held by professionals from the industry, as well as our experienced academic staff, this is a university and department where you can build those connections. Meeting these people one-on-one and listening to their career journeys can be highly influential in shaping our own careers. The Public Relations and Advertising department at Istinye University has consistently had a positive impact on my life, and for that reason, I am very happy and would highly recommend it.

I am a 2022 graduate of the Political Science and Public Administration Department at Istinye University, thanks to the university’s distinguished academic staff and high quality education I had the opportunity to complete internships at important institutions during my student years, these experiences provided a strong foundation for my career journey, I am currently working as an Assistant Specialist in the R and D and Technology Unit at the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, I continue to work in areas that create societal impact such as technology, innovation, digital transformation and entrepreneurship, I would like to sincerely thank my university and my instructors who have greatly contributed to the development of my knowledge and vision throughout this process.

Visual Communication Design has been the best choice of my life. Being in an environment where my ideas are valued has made my education more effective. The education and effort of my instructors have started to bear fruit, and with the skills I have gained, I am now working in the industry.

 From the very first day I began my undergraduate studies in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, I never saw this journey as merely a path to a diploma. My goal was to turn what I learned into real-life experience—to think like a true engineer by working in the field and actively participating in projects. In line with this vision, I took an active role in numerous projects throughout my university years and gained valuable hands-on experience by working part-time.One of the greatest advantages during this period was the technical infrastructure provided by my university and the trust our professors placed in students. The laboratories were always open to us—not only during class hours but also whenever we wanted to bring our own ideas to life. This freedom allowed us not only to improve technically but also to apply our theoretical knowledge in practice and develop original solutions.Undoubtedly, one of the most meaningful steps I took during my university life was founding the Energy and Engineering Club. This club was built on the idea of being part of the solution, bringing together engineering students from different academic years, and fostering a culture of production, collaboration, and solution-oriented thinking. Our goal was not only to learn, but to learn together—not only to grow individually, but to contribute to each other’s development.Believing that engineering advances not only through individual effort but through collective collaboration, we established a structure where students from different engineering disciplines could come together, freely share ideas, and value every contribution. Through the laboratory work and collaborative projects we carried out within this structure, we not only improved our technical skills but also directly experienced what it means to be a team, take responsibility, and create together.As my undergraduate capstone project, we carried out an interdisciplinary engineering study by developing a robotic arm system that maps the magnetic field measurements of particle accelerators. Supported by TÜBİTAK 2209-A, we developed this project as a product prototype and had the opportunity to present it at the “Particle Accelerators and Detectors Local Infrastructure and R&D Workshop.” This process, which combined theoretical knowledge with practical application, provided a highly productive environment where we actively experienced not only technical development but also teamwork and research discipline.After completing my undergraduate education, I began a thesis-based master’s program in Computer Engineering at Istinye University. During this time, I worked with the High Energy and Particle Physics team within the Physics Department of my university, developing engineering projects focused on particle physics applications. In August 2024, I joined the ATLAS collaboration at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), becoming a member of this international scientific research community. Through our work on the ATLAS detector, I had the opportunity to directly contribute to such a large-scale international project on behalf of my country and university.Today, I continue to maintain strong ties with my university and the community we built. By sharing my experiences with new students, I aim to support their journeys and contribute to the continuity of this culture. Because I believe that engineering develops not only through individual competence, but through a shared vision of thinking and creating together.

My Visual Communication Design education was more intensive and practice-oriented than I expected. I discovered myself. With the education I received and the knowledge and skills I gained, I stepped into the industry as a professional.

The Public Relations and Advertising department at Istinye University has enabled me to discover the power of communication while also improving my creative thinking skills. Thanks to an education model supported by expert academics and hands-on projects, I feel ready to make a strong and well-equipped start in the industry. This comprehensive education, which transforms theoretical knowledge into practice, has helped me gain skills that will make a difference in my professional life.

I graduated from the Department of International Trade and Business Administration in 2024. Alongside our highly competent, supportive, and inspiring professors, I completed my education with a wide range of foreign language course options taught by expert instructors, all of which made significant contributions to my career.Thanks to the internship opportunities provided by our university, I had the chance to complete long-term internships at various companies. Currently, I am working at Migros Ticaret A.Ş. as a Recruitment Assistant Specialist in the Human Resources department.

 During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to take courses from highly competent and experienced academics, which allowed me to deepen my theoretical knowledge and build a solid foundation in global trade dynamics.Following a voluntary internship I began in my third year, I started working in the Human Resources department at Collins Company through the Workplace Practice course that covered my final semester. The hands-on experience I gained during this period provided me with a significant advantage in my transition to professional life.Currently, I continue my professional career at the same company as an Overseas Warehouses Specialist, where I actively take part in international logistics processes.

The Department of Mathematics at Istinye University offers a strong educational program grounded in theoretical foundations while also supporting students in applied fields. With a highly qualified academic staff, the department aims to equip students with analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Its interdisciplinary approach not only provides career opportunities in various fields but also offers students numerous possibilities for conducting research and developing projects.

The quality of the instructors in the Mathematics Department was remarkably high; they were experts in their fields and had strong communication skills with students, which made the lessons highly effective. The educational process was well-balanced between theoretical and practical knowledge, allowing us to reinforce what we had learned. Moreover, the department offered opportunities for collaboration with other disciplines, providing a chance to engage in multidisciplinary work. This helped us gain different perspectives.

I graduated as the top student from the Political Science and Public Administration Department at Istinye University and also completed a double major in Psychology, thanks to the support of our instructors and the opportunities provided by the university I had a productive and fulfilling academic journey where I continuously improved myself, even after graduation I understand more each day how valuable this foundation is.