September 1 – December 31, 2025
Dear Members and Esteemed Stakeholders of Özyeğin University,
It is with great pride and excitement that we present the first issue of Beyond, a new space created to regularly share our collective accomplishments and results toward becoming an “Entrepreneurial Research University with High Global Impact,” dedicated to student transformation and excellence in education and the university experience.
We spoke with Assistant Prof. Aslı Zuluğ and Prof. Evren Balta, the inaugural recipients of Özyeğin University’s Impact Award, to explore how they create impact within their respective disciplines, united by a shared vision.
Assistant Prof. Aslı Zuluğ reflects on her journey from the laboratory to the classroom and from academia to industry, revealing how academic knowledge can evolve into new ventures, tangible products, and lasting social impact. Prof. Evren Balta, drawing on the perspectives of political science and international relations, sheds light on how academia can engage with public debate, policymaking, and broader society.
We invite you to explore the full stories of these two inspiring academics, whose work expands the boundaries of academia with an unwavering commitment to Özyeğin University’s vision of becoming an “Entrepreneurial Research University with High Global Impact.”
Özyeğin University has been admitted at the highest level to the Turquality Program, led by the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye, marking a significant milestone for its strategic goals in the fields of internationalization, sustainable growth, and brand development. The program is designed to further strengthen OzU’s global partnerships, enhance access to international research funding, and increase international visibility.
Özyeğin University has once again ranked first among foundation universities in Türkiye in the 2025 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, marking its seventh consecutive year at the top. OzU also placed 89th in the overall ranking among 1,745 universities worldwide, continuing to demonstrate leadership in sustainable campus infrastructure and climate-friendly practices.
The dedication and hard work of OzU students and our Athletic Center team continue to yield remarkable results. Our students consistently make us proud with their outstanding achievements both in Türkiye and across the world, positioning OzU at the forefront of university sports.
A new agreement between Özyeğin University’s Graduate School of Business and Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business offers MBA, Executive MBA, FERM, and Data Science students and alumni the opportunity to earn a second master’s degree in New York. The collaborative program enables participants to pursue advanced specialization and international career opportunities in one of the world’s leading global financial centers.
The Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Program at the Faculty of Architecture and Design has been officially accepted as an Educational Member of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI), effective as of 2025.
Our Undergraduate Hotel Management and Undergraduate Gastronomy and Culinary Arts programs have been honored with the “Contribution to Tourism Education Award” by Skål International Istanbul. This prestigious award is a testament to the national recognition of OzU’s experiential education model, its commitment to cultivating highly qualified professionals, and its strong integration with the tourism and hospitality industry.
The IEEE Türkiye Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has awarded Prof. H. Fatih Uğurdağ, a faculty member in the Electrical-Electronics Engineering Department at Özyeğin University, the 2024 IEEE Türkiye Outstanding Service Award.
Özyeğin University has been awarded funding under Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Centers of Excellence for its new project BRIDGE. The project will establish a new center for research, education, and policy development, with a special focus on Europe’s key agendas in identity, diversity, and governance.
Prof. Burcu Balçık has been honored with the prestigious “Research and Academic Contributions Award” by the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) in recognition of her data-driven, high-impact research in the field of humanitarian logistics. The award recognizes the excellence of Prof. Balçık’s work, which offers innovative methods supporting effective and fair decision-making in disaster preparedness and response.
Prof. Ali C. Beğen, a faculty member in the Computer Science Program at Özyeğin University, has been elected to serve a two-year term on the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), the premier technical advisory committee of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Society (ISOC).
Özyeğin University’s applied, sector-integrated education model continues to translate academic excellence into distinguished achievements.
OzU continues to transform its pioneering theoretical research in engineering into real-world applications, steadily building a strong reputation in the field of space robotics with its achievements.
A project developed by Architecture PhD students Fırat Ali Fırat and İrem Ezgi Çiftçi, together with Architecture master’s students Ece Kıy and Beril Baş, advanced to the finals of The Field Station, an international competition organized by Italy-based TerraViva.
Özyeğin University’s applied education model enables students to transform their theoretical knowledge into real-world practice, allowing them to crown their academic journey with hands-on projects even before graduation.
Berkay Yıldırım, an alumnus of the Civil Engineering Department at Özyeğin University, was invited to speak at the International Conference on Trustworthy Digital Infrastructure, held in September 2025 by The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.
If artificial intelligence is the defining transformative force of the digital age, Özyeğin University stands as one of the leading institutions setting its direction. With a multidimensional strategy spanning education, research, entrepreneurship, and social impact, OzU is forging ahead with unwavering commitment to building a Türkiye-based global network of knowledge and influence in artificial intelligence.
Sometimes, a single success story can spark thousands more. Driven by this vision, Özyeğin University has launched a new program, “Distinguished Leaders at OzU,” offering students the unique opportunity to learn directly from the real-world experiences of accomplished leaders.
Özyeğin University alumni continue their journeys around the world not only as distinguished professionals but also as cultural ambassadors who represent the vision and values of our University on a global scale.
Özyeğin University has taken an important step toward strengthening its academic and research ecosystem through a newly signed memorandum of understanding with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Özyeğin University Hosts Leaders of the Hospitality and Gastronomy Sectors for the 13th Time
Özyeğin University has launched “ThoughtFront: Conversations Shaping Business,” a new panel series led by the Faculty of Business, in response to the business world’s growing need for local insight.
“Hospitality Pioneers in Türkiye Biennale” honored the individuals who shaped the history of Turkish tourism.
As a strong testament to its unwavering commitment to student transformation and excellence in education and university experience, Özyeğin University launched the “Classes Beyond the Classroom” project.
Once again, Özyeğin University’s Çekmeköy Campus came alive as alumni returned for the traditional Homecoming 2025.
