Thanks to the postgraduate education they received at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), İrem Cabbaroğlu, Melike Demirbağ Kaplan, İsmail Karabaş, and Uğur Turan opened up to the world, transcending continents with their achievements and becoming a source of pride for Turkey. The inspiring life stories of these IUE alumni have taken them from Izmir to Germany, New York, and many other parts of the world, establishing them as exemplary professionals.
Architect İrem Cabbaroğlu has been successfully practicing her profession for about 10 years at one of America's largest firms, while Prof. Dr. Melike Demirbağ Kaplan, with her high-level knowledge in business, became the vice-rector of a German International University. Uğur Turan, who focuses on energy transition, climate policies, and sustainable development goals, was appointed as an environmental expert at the international organization ‘CICA’. Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Karabaş, who specializes in logistics management, has published over 20 academic articles and taught courses in many countries, including the USA, Mexico, the Netherlands, and China. Representing Turkey in the best possible way, these four individuals shared messages highlighting the importance of postgraduate education and choosing the right university to achieve career goals.
“I DEVELOPED ON A GLOBAL SCALE”
İrem Cabbaroğlu, who successfully completed the IUE Master of Architecture with Thesis program, said, “The courses I took from professors with diverse academic backgrounds allowed me to see architecture not just as a design practice, but as a multi-layered discipline in continuous interaction with social, cultural, and economic dynamics. This strong academic foundation enabled me to pursue a second master's degree abroad and further enriched my understanding of architecture on a global scale. For the past 10 years, I've been working at leading architecture firms in New York, and I apply the multifaceted perspective I gained during my education to the spaces I design. I continue my career as a professional who believes that architecture is not only a physical but also an intellectual field of production.”
“A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE”
Stating that her education in the IUE Business Master's and Ph.D. programs played a critical role in her transition to academia, Prof. Dr. Melike Demirbağ Kaplan said, “I moved to Germany in 2018 with the aim of taking my experience as a visiting researcher at Canada's York University a step further, and started working as a Professor of Business in Berlin. Currently, I serve as a faculty member and vice-rector at the German International University. The education I received at Izmir University of Economics was a very valuable experience that prepared me for the future, not only academically but also managerially, and helped me gain a global perspective and vision.”
“ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BUILDING BLOCKS”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Karabaş expressed that he took a strong step into academic life thanks to the knowledge, vision, and skills he gained during his education in the IUE Master of Logistics Management with Thesis program. He said, “In 2013, I went to the United States and began my Ph.D. in marketing at Washington State University, which I completed in 2018. In the same year, I started working as a faculty member at Murray State University in Kentucky. In 2024, I received the title of associate professor. To date, I have published over 20 academic articles. Every year, I teach courses in different programs in the USA, as well as in Mexico, Netherlands, China, and even Turkey. Izmir University of Economics is one of the most important building blocks of my career. The quality education and strong vision I gained during my master's degree were very effective in helping me get to where I am today.”
“DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS FOR GREEN TRANSFORMATION”
Stating that the IUE Sustainable Energy Master's program he graduated from provided him with an international perspective and a deep understanding of energy and environmental policies, Uğur Turan said, “Following this, I completed my doctorate and strengthened my academic expertise. My studies focused on the energy transition, climate policies, and sustainable development goals of Europe, Turkey, and the Slavic geography. Currently, I am working as an environmental expert in the secretariat of The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), an international organization based in Kazakhstan with 28 member countries. Here, I conduct multilateral diplomatic and technical work in the fields of sustainable development, environmental cooperation, combating climate change, and green transformation. I am putting my academic knowledge into practice in the Asian geography.”
