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.

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.

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.

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.

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.