The Social Media Awards, organized by İstanbul Gelişim University for the 11th time this year, brought together prominent figures from media, arts, sports, science, technology, and the business world. The awards, determined by student votes, were presented at a ceremony held in the Mehmet Âkif Ersoy Conference Hall.The program opened with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem. The opening remarks were delivered by İstanbul Gelişim University Board of Trustees Chair Abdülkadir Gayretli.
At the ceremony, the Special Award for Contribution to Communication and Education was presented to veteran news anchor Cem Öğretir by IGU Board of Trustees Member Betül Gayretli. Journalist and news anchor Deniz Bayramoğlu, winner of the Public Interest Journalism and Public Awareness Award, received her award from IGU Board of Trustees Member Ahmet Gayretli.
"It Serves as an Important Bridge Inspiring Future Generations"
Drawing attention to the importance of bringing together individuals who contribute to social development with awards determined by student votes, Gayretli shared the following assessment at the ceremony:“We have brought together distinguished individuals who contribute to social development and leave their mark in their fields, selected by our students' votes, at this meaningful event. These awards not only honor successful individuals; they also give our students the opportunity to meet the figures they look up to as role models and draw inspiration from their experiences. For us, it is extremely valuable that our young people — the professionals of the future — share the same space with individuals who have made important contributions to our country and benefit from their accumulated wisdom. In this respect, we believe that the Social Development and Media Awards serve as an important bridge inspiring future generations.”
Ezel Akay to Young People: "They Must Tell Stories"
Director and producer Ezel Akay, winner of the Award for Contribution to Social Memory and Cultural Heritage through Art, noted that being recognized by students holds a special meaning for him and said:“The most wonderful thing is to be appreciated by students. Because I think the time has come to concern ourselves not with social complaining but with the future of societies. We complain about ourselves too much, but we have no projects for the future. Young people are actually the projects of all of our futures. That the work I do is embraced by young people is the greatest gift for me.”
Akay also offered advice to young people, emphasizing the importance of storytelling:
“Thanks to the global success of Turkish TV series and the widespread reach of the internet, all the stories we tell are now being watched and heard all over the world. With this in mind, stories need to be told with the aim of contributing to the existence of the world and humanity. Young people can send their stories everywhere from South Korea to South America. The best way to learn this craft is to constantly make films. They must absolutely take part in a film crew — write, direct, work as cinematographers, do sound. But they must join this organization of storytelling.”
Şahika Ercümen: "The Environment and the Seas Are My Living Space"
National athlete Şahika Ercümen, winner of the Climate, Environment, and Women's Empowerment Activist Award, noted that the award is an important source of motivation for her and stated:“Awards like these show that what we do has not been in vain, that it is seen by a certain group, and even sometimes that it inspires. So for me, it is a great source of motivation on this journey. As a national athlete, I care deeply about the environment and the seas in particular, because they are my living space. Being able to do this alongside sport, to channel my strength there as well — that really is a life purpose for me. So I am very happy to be here today.”
Saraçoğlu Calls for a Healthy Life
Prof. İbrahim Saraçoğlu, winner of the Health Communication and Social Impact Award, drew attention to the importance of healthy living and stated:“Today, the food on your plate and any herbal tea in your glass determines the fate of your cells. Therefore, your health is entirely dependent on what you eat. There is an unchanging rule going back 2,500 years: let your medicine be what you eat, and let what you eat be your medicine. So if you want to live a life in the future without a cane, without relying on others, what you need to do here is invest in your old age. How will you make this investment? I will always be talking about this in my programs going forward — invest in your old age.”
University Students Present Award to İhlas News Agency
The Award for a News Agency Contributing to Social Development was accepted on behalf of İhlas Haber Ajansı by Corporate News Coordinator Mehmet Tekin.Tekin offered the following remarks at the ceremony:
“As İhlas Haber Ajansı, we have always striven not merely to maintain the high standard we have set, but to raise it even higher. We accepted this award on behalf of our thousands of colleagues, as their representative — like a single drop representing the whole. Every day we strive to produce better news, more accurate news, the most reliable news. Receiving this award from university students makes it all the more meaningful. We will continue our work with even greater effort and care, worthy of their award and the trust they have placed in us.”
Gülden Kalecik Demirtaş: "I Felt Proud"
Gülden Kalecik Demirtaş, winner of the Public Interest Journalism Award, expressed that the significance of the award is deeply meaningful to her:“First of all, I felt proud. Because the category under which we received the award is very, very precious. We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in Türkiye's most deep-rooted media group, beneath a towering landmark. The work we try to do is very valuable, especially in such a dynamic period.”
In her message to young people, Demirtaş stated:
“I am fortunate to be one of the rare people who both studied at this faculty, graduated from this university, and is now doing the work, the profession, she loves. I hope young people are also blessed with doing their professions. But discipline, working hard, loving your work deeply, and always standing behind it — that would be my humble advice to them as an older colleague.”
Cem Öğretir: "Building a Relationship with the Younger Generation Shows Your Work Is Still Relevant"
Cem Öğretir, winner of the Special Award for Contribution to Communication and Education, noted that being appreciated by students holds a special value for him and said:“As you get older, as you grow older in journalism, as the years pile up, a fear creeps in — are we losing our connection with young people? But I received this award, and so did my wife. And we realized: young people are still watching us and still appreciating us. That is a very important thing. Because building a relationship with the younger generation means showing that what you do is still relevant. It is a very important value for us. I thank them very much, I thank our professors very much. And the name is the Special Award for Contribution to Communication and Education — I think that is very precious.”
Lifetime Achievement Award for Ali Saydam
Journalist, author, and communications expert Ali Saydam, winner of the Lifetime Professional Achievement Award, expressed that the award's being determined by students' choices holds a special meaning for him.Saydam said: "It is an award formed by both the university's and the students' preferences. That is very powerful, very precious. Hopefully we will try to be a model. Türkiye's prospects are very bright and its future is very promising. I believe that these students will bring very great added value to Türkiye as they advance on this path."
Prof. Burcu Özsoy: "Being a Role Model for Young People Is Very Precious"
Prof. Burcu Özsoy, winner of the Scientist and Technology Ambassador of the Year Award, expressed her pleasure that their work in polar research is being recognized with awards.Özsoy stated: "That the work we have done and continue to do in the polar regions under the patronage of our President is also being crowned with awards is very precious to us. Being chosen by our students in particular is of course a great source of joy. I wish young people every success. I think we will be a fine role model for them as well."
Awards Presented
The award recipients and categories at the ceremony were as follows:- Technology and Future Initiative of the Year Award: Selçuk Bayraktar
- News Agency Contributing to Social Development Award: İhlas Haber Ajansı
- Best Public Interest Journalism of the Year Award: Gülden Kalecik Demirtaş
- Scientist and Technology Ambassador of the Year Award: Prof. Burcu Özsoy
- Climate, Environment, and Women's Empowerment Activist Award: Şahika Ercümen
- Global Sports Achievement and Youth Sports Ambassador Award: Ayşe Begüm Onbaşı
- Best Social Agenda and Public Awareness of the Year Award: Saynur Tezel
- Best Public Interest Journalism and Public Awareness of the Year Award: Deniz Bayramoğlu
- Best Social Impact and Journalism of the Year Award: Fulya Öztürk
- Best Social Analysis and Commentary of the Year Award: İdris Kardaş
- Best Social Communication and Broadcasting Special Award of the Year: Yalçın Alaca
- Young Generation Journalism and Social Awareness Award: Ebrar Nur Arslan Bakırtaş
- Successful Women's Representation in Media Award: Şeyma Kan
- Special Investigation and Field Reporting Award: Emre Bayıroğlu
- Cultural and Arts Impact of the Year Award: Oya Eczacıbaşı
- Social Benefit and Cultural Arts Ambassador Award: Fecir Alptekin
- Lifetime Professional Achievement Award: Ali Saydam
- Special Award for Contribution to Communication and Education: Cem Öğretir
- Special Media and Education Achievement Award: Seda Öğretir
- Health Communication and Social Impact Award: Prof. İbrahim Saraçoğlu
- Special Award for a Sustainable Future: Mert Fırat
- IGU Social Solidarity and Corporate Social Responsibility Special Award: Esra Erol
- Presidency of Communication, Public Communication, and Social Impact Award: Dr. Zeynep Zelan
- Social Memory and Visual Arts of the Year Award: Ahmet Güneştekin
- Social Awareness and Accessible Life Award: Serkan Bayram
- Social Sensitivity and Arts Award: Deniz Uğur
- Award for Contribution to Social Memory and Cultural Heritage through Art: Ezel Akay
- Artist Inspiring the Younger Generation Award: Erdem Yılmaz
- Social Sensitivity and Artistic Contribution Award: Sultan Sarohan
- Rising Young Actor Creating Social Impact Award: Merve Üçer
- Best Digital Content Creator of the Year Award: Cemre Sıla Atılgan Otar
