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.

The program invites leaders who have made a global impact across key domains such as art, science, business, diplomacy, and civil society to serve as mentors, instructors, and guides, actively contributing to students’ academic and personal growth.

Bringing Leadership Beyond the Classroom

Each a trailblazer in their respective fields, these prominent leaders will be part of the campus community for an academic year. They will participate in classes, deliver seminars, lead hands-on workshops, and meet students one-on-one during office hours. Beyond sharing knowledge, the program aims to create genuine interactions across generations that foster learning and inspiration.

Emphasizing the importance of this interaction, Prof. Barış Tan, President of Özyeğin University, remarked:
“The leaders we welcome to our campus will not only share their success stories but also bring their real-world experiences to our students, making valuable contributions to their developmental journeys. Distinguished Leaders at OzU will serve as a platform of inspiration and interaction on the path to multidimensional, innovative, and responsible leadership.

First Guests: Gülser Corat and Özgür Tort

The inaugural guests are two distinguished figures recognized nationally and internationally:

• S. Gülser Corat, former Director for Gender Equality at UNESCO and founder of NoBiasAI!, an initiative exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and gender equality.
• Özgür Tort, CEO of Migros Group, is leading digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation in Türkiye’s retail sector.

Corat and Tort, whose leadership has driven transformations in their respective fields, will engage directly with Özyeğin University students through mentorship sessions, classroom sessions, and one-on-one office hours.

A Program Designed Across Disciplines

“Distinguished Leaders at OzU” spans multiple disciplines, featuring exceptional leaders, each recognized for their excellence in their respective fields.

• Distinguished Entrepreneurs at OzU
• Distinguished Artists at OzU
• Distinguished Scientists at OzU
• Distinguished Diplomats at OzU
• Distinguished Civil Society Leaders at OzU

Through these thematic engagements, a new group of leaders will connect with different student cohorts each year, fostering a vibrant, evolving platform for learning, inspiration, and intergenerational exchange.