Beste Demircan and Alp Buğra Nazar, graduates of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), were awarded for their living space projects in the "Student Graduation Projects" competition organized by the Association of Izmir Free-Lance Architects. The projects, 'Urban Implant' and 'Creative and Coexisting Living', which succeeded in receiving the 'exhibition award' by designing environmentally friendly, aesthetic and disabled-friendly projects, will be shared with residents of Izmir at various events to be held in the upcoming period.
Bilge Türköz (39), a mother of two children living in Izmir, followed her childhood dream by ignoring those who say, "You cannot study at this age, do not go on adventure, you cannot finish school", and she graduated from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) with the first place.
Arda Kıpçak, who graduated from Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Izmir University of Economics (IUE) this year, was accepted to the world-renowned University of Virginia in the United States (USA) with a full scholarship. Kıpçak, who will receive 5 years of doctoral education in the field of 'Systemic and Behavioral Neuroscience', became one of the 7 people who were entitled to go to the USA as a result of the examination held among 400 successful students from different countries. Kıpçak will work on how the learning and memory processes work in the brain, and what diseases can be caused by the disruptions in this process. In his research, Kıpçak will try to give hope for finding new ways to diagnose and treat neurological diseases such as visual learning disorders, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Kıpçak's living expenses in the USA will also be covered by the University of Virginia.
After graduating from Izmir University of Economics (IUE), Müge Güvensal, who decided to live in England where she went for her master's degree and founded a travel company here, brought together all the places and memories she traveled in 12 countries in a book. Stating that she accomplished successful studies about Europe at the university and that the two foreign languages she learned opened new doors for her, Güvensal took a completely different path in her life by carrying her passion for travel to business in England. Güvensal said, “When I chose to be a tourism professional in England, people were surprised. I made this decision by listening to my heart. I successfully represented my country in England. I have traveled to 23 countries so far. In my book titled ‘Gezi Notları’ (Travel Notes), which I published this year, I included my impressions in 12 countries. My book, which is first put on sale digitally due to the pandemic, attracts great attention.”
By establishing a company called QReal in New York and applying "3D and augmented reality" technology to different sectors such as e-commerce, fashion, and food, Alper Güler and Caner Soyer, entrepreneurs from Izmir, have developed projects for 100 world-famous brands in 5 years, causing international companies seeking interest in Izmir. The United States (USA)-based Glimpse Group, which makes investments for the development of augmented reality and virtual reality content, started R&D studies in Izmir Bilimpark (science park) by establishing a team of 10 under the leadership of Güler and Soyer. Güler and Soyer, who have had the opportunity to work with many important brands such as Google, Sony, and Hyundai so far, said, “We want to create opportunities for new graduates in our country and contribute to the creation of new success stories.”
After graduating from university, Dilara Aldemir(27), who refused job offers and went to live with her musician brother in America, started her career as a waitress in New York, then returned to Izmir and started her business. Dilara Aldemir, a graduate of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), who developed herself and learned the details of the business while she was working, opened the branch of the foreign based "Good for You" brand in Alsancak. Stating that she dreamed of having her own business since her youth, Aldemir said, “When I said that I would open a coffee shop during the pandemic period, there were those who said, "It is too risky to start a business in the pandemic, are you crazy?" But thinking that waiting would disadvantage me, I wanted to start work as soon as possible. I am very happy in my little coffee shop; I think I made the right decision.”
Çağıl Saydam and Begüm Aksoy, graduates of Department of Cinema and Digital Media, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), collected awards at the "Rofife International Rotary Short Film Festival" held for the 13th time this year. Saydam ranked second in the experimental category with her “61 Sokak No 4” (61st Street No.4) titled film based on the dialogues of a woman living alone at home. Aksoy, on the other hand, ranked second in the documentary category with her “Smirna’nın Çukuru” (Smyrna’s Pit) titled work in which she describes the Basmane region on the land known as the "Basmane pit". Aksoy and Saydam, whose films were chosen among hundreds of films, and brought awards to Izmir, said, “Winning an award is very important, but we must sustain this achievement. We know that for this, we need to work harder and make a great effort. We started preparations for new projects.”
Graduates of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) have become the favorite of companies abroad by highlighting their academic achievements in business life, proving once again that women overcome all kinds of difficulties. Success stories of IUE graduates that started in Izmir continued with senior positions in different countries such as America, Australia, Norway and Kuwait, and became a source of inspiration and energy for young people. Damla Eytemiz Gibson, Ece Sağlam, Hande Arı, Sinem Çelik and Özgül Akcan, working in different sectors such as retail, logistics, maritime and construction, were selected among thousands of people around the world and represented Turkish women duly.
With the pandemic, Dilara Karaca, a fashion designer from Izmir University of Economics, created her own brand by turning the intense demand, for clothing made of natural fabrics, used for multipurpose and bring health rather than aesthetics to the fore, into an opportunity. Karaca, who started the "healthy fashion" era by creating sweat-free, ecological and recyclable designs, put the products of her brand called "in d’tales" for online sale. Karaca, who designs special, functional products such as pants with removable hems, jackets that can be worn both ways and sleeveless said, “Since I was a kid, I was interested in design and dreamed of creating my own brand one day. I did not want the pandemic to interfere with this dream and I brought my brand to life by considering the needs of people. I am very pleased with the attention.”
