Entrepreneurs from Izmir University of Economics, who adopt the understanding of quality and personalized service in the e-commerce sector and support domestic brands, bring the world's most prestigious international business awards to Izmir. The siblings, Esra and Melis Sarıhan, both graduates of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), were crowned with awards they received consecutively for the success of their e-commerce initiative named baskasindarama.com. Sarıhan siblings qualified to receive the USA based "Stevie International Business Awards" bronze award in the category of company of the year in small retail company, an award they also received last year.
Çağıl Saydam, who graduated from Department of Cinema and Digital Media, Izmir University of Economics (IUE) this year, came in first place at the 27th International Adana Altın Koza Film Festival with her “61 Sokak No 4” titled film based on the dialogues of a woman living alone at home. Competing in the "experimental" category in the National Student Films Competition held within the scope of the festival, Saydam was awarded the "Best Experimental Film" award for her film that she acted in and directed. As a result of the evaluation made by the jury consisting of screenwriter Banu Bozdemir, actor Baran Şükrü Babacan and director Can Evrenol, Saydam came in first place among the 5 films that made it to the finals. Saydam said, “I aim to improve myself in the film industry. The award I received gave me happiness and courage.”
After graduating from Izmir University of Economics (IUE), Okan Ataman, who went to Germany for a master's degree, took a completely different path in the restaurant where he started to work by washing vegetables and fruits to make use of his spare time. With the advantage of a foreign language he learned in the University, Ataman, who self-improved in a short period of time at the "Extrablatt" named restaurant in Siegen and became a chef assistant, returned to Turkey and decided to establish his business in the food area. During this time, Ataman, who also completed his master's degree in accounting, taxation and auditing, and speaks English and German, opened a small rice pilaf restaurant in Karşıyaka with the brand "Rice & Nice". Ataman, who serves a variety of rice pilaf such as with salmon, tenderloin, curry and currants, has succeeded in making a name for himself quickly. “We started selling rice pilaf to restaurants, gyms and business centers in Izmir by establishing a cold chain. Demand is very good, we sell about 450 kilos of rice pilaf, including sales at our restaurant, every month,” said Ataman.
Asena Tuğcu Altay, who developed her passion for design, which started by sewing clothes for barbie dolls when she was only 8 years old, developed her own brand in the field of home textiles and started to export her special designs about Izmir to all over the world. Altay, a graduate of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Department of Architecture, attracted attention with her work that add zest to home decor including bedspread to pillowcase design, and she managed to establish a production facility in Menderes in a short time. Stating that she sends the products she designs and produces to countries such as the United States of America (USA), Sweden, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, Altay said, "The designs I have prepared inspired by the nature, sea and historical points of Izmir attract a lot of attention and are appreciated abroad".
Yağız Şenoğlu, student at Graphics Design Program, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), started to work at Leo AR, a company operating in the field of "augmented reality" in Silicon Valley in the USA, which is known as the technology center of the world. Şenoğlu, who has attracted the attention of the world-famous company with his graphic design works so far, achieved great success by getting into business life before he even graduated. In his new job he started online in Turkey, as well as graphic design, Şenoğlu also does video editing to be used in social media. Şenoğlu said, “Starting to work in such a well-known company made me proud and very happy. My goal is to develop myself quickly and build my own company.”
Onur Güzey, graduate of Department of Business Administration, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), established Turkey's first Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) approved finance portal and helped firms to find the source of about 50 million in a short time. The www.hamilinden.com, which enables SMEs, in addition to major companies, to meet their financial needs in the most accurate way, has reached 40 thousand users with its accounting integrations in the last year. The portal, which is the indispensable address of companies in many subjects including export finance, check, invoice assignment transactions and finding the most suitable loan for individuals and SMEs, has reached a valuation of 6 million dollars (42 million lira).
Aydolun Petenkaya, who completed Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Department of Genetics and Bioengineering as a top student with a full scholarship and conducted many research studies during her education, entered the radar of universities in America. Receiving a PhD scholarship offer from 3 different universities, Petenkaya used her preference for the world-famous University of Illinois in Chicago, USA. Petenkaya, who was chosen among hundreds of students from across the world, and qualified to receive scholarship for the university’s "bioinformatics" program from Turkey this year, will go to America on August 24 and stay there for 5 years. All education and living expenses of Petenkaya will be covered by the university in America.
Suna Kayra Paköz, a graduate of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Department of Visual Communication Design, was included in the design team of the World Cup, which will be hosted by Qatar in 2022. Being invited to the country by the “Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy”, which is affiliated with the state of Qatar, Paköz will prepare special designs for the giant organization, which will be the scene of great enthusiasm and excitement. Paköz, who will be in Qatar for about 3 years, will work in many different fields from stadium dressings to digital and printed advertisements of tournaments.
Graduates of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) have become the first choice of world-renowned companies by carrying their academic achievements to business life. As 239 people, who have graduated from IUE, seized the opportunity to continue their careers in 43 different countries, they also experienced the honor to represent Turkey successfully at a young age. 36 of the IUE graduates who have started their own business or have taken a senior position in international firms live in Germany, 27 in USA, 23 in Italy, 19 in England, 15 in Poland, 10 in Canada, 8 in Belgium and 7 in Holland.
While seniors of Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), successfully complete their education journeys with distance education due to Covid-19 measures, they will exhibit their graduation exhibition and fashion show with the theme of "New - D" in digital environment. The event, which refers to the new normal period, will be presented to the audience through a joint broadcast from the social media accounts of the Faculty and its departments. The fashion show and exhibition, which will be held with the digital catalog interface, will start on Monday, 13 July at 20.00.
