Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) 2025–2026 Academic Year Opening Ceremony was held

Opening Ceremony was held at the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Conference Hall on the Avcılar Campus with the participation of academics, students, administrative staff, and many guests in a vibrant atmosphere. Many distinguished figures from public institutions and organizations took part in the protocol. The opening speeches were delivered by Minister of Trade Prof. Ömer Bolat, IGU Chairman of the Board of Trustees Abdülkadir Gayretli, and IGU Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin. In their speeches, they emphasized Türkiye’s economic goals, the strategic importance given to education, and the university’s international vision.

“Number of International Students Has Reached 375 Thousand Today”

In his speech, Prof. Ömer Bolat stated that the investments made in education and healthcare have begun to yield results, saying, “Türkiye has become a hub for international education. While the number of international students was around 5,000 in 2002, today it has reached nearly 375,000. These students contribute approximately 3 billion dollars annually to our economy. However, the most important gain is that these young people become individuals who love Turkey as a result of the education they receive here.”
Minister Bolat noted that the topic of the first lecture held this year at Istanbul Gelisim University was “Gaza and the Israeli Genocide.” He shared information about the period of the Ottoman Empire’s rule in Palestine and the events that followed, discussing the historical processes of Palestine. Bolat explained that with the 1993 Oslo Peace Agreement, a Palestinian state emerged with its governmental center in Ramallah, and that this state has been officially recognized by over 150 countries, including Türkiye. However, he also pointed out that not every country has an embassy there, emphasizing that Türkiye, with its sense of historical responsibility, continues to make great efforts for Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, the holy sites in Palestinian territories, and the Palestinian people — and that these efforts and protection will continue.

“Our University Always Keeps Its Dreams Big with Innovations Not Found in the World”

Abdülkadir Gayretli, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Gelisim University, stated that the university’s founding story began with a dream, saying, “Istanbul Gelisim University is the result of a journey that started with the dream of a high school student. We are a university guided by ideals of raising generations who are loyal to their homeland, future, flag, and the Qur’an. In this regard, we rank among the top three both in the academic community and among students in Türkiye. As a university that creates added value for our country and leads our future, we continue our journey.”
Gayretli mentioned that they were inspired by then-Prime Minister and current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 2012 call, “Is there a brave person to produce a domestic car?” He said, “The night I heard this announcement, I gathered my professors the next morning and said, ‘We must be that brave one.’ In just eight months, we succeeded in producing a completely 100% electric car that recharges its battery through kinetic energy as the wheels turn.”
Emphasizing that they oppose the common mindset in Turkey that says, “You can’t do it,” Gayretli added, “As a university, we produced an electric car that recharges its battery through kinetic energy, no matter the cost, to break this perception. You might remember the flying cars from The Jetsons we watched as kids; our next goal is to make that a reality. We are pursuing innovations that do not exist in the world.”
Gayretli underlined that Istanbul Gelisim University continues its path with a vision that is innovative, productive, and fueled by big dreams, saying, “Our university continues to grow as an institution that aims to pioneer innovations not found anywhere else in the world.”

“We Are the University That Contributes the Most to the Country’s Internationalization Goal”

Prof. Bahri Şahin, Rector of Istanbul Gelisim University, stated that the university began its educational activities in 2008 with a vocational school, but as of 2025, it has reached 39,000 students. Şahin emphasized that 11,000 of these students are international, saying, “We are the university that contributes the most to our country’s internationalization goal, and we rank first in Turkey in this field. We expect the number of international students to increase further once registrations are complete this year.”
Reminding that there are a total of 375,000 international students in Türkiye, Şahin said, “One out of every 40 of these students studies at Istanbul Gelisim University. Therefore, we make the maximum contribution to both our country’s and the Council of Higher Education’s internationalization goals in education.”
Şahin also mentioned the university’s structure, stating that it comprises two vocational schools, one school, one graduate education institute, and seven faculties. He said, “We have about 14,000 students in associate degree programs, 24,000 at the undergraduate level, and around 2,500 in graduate programs, including 300 doctoral students. With 860 academic staff and around 550 administrative staff members, we shoulder the educational responsibility of our country.”
Highlighting the importance given not only to the quality of education but also to research and development activities, Şahin added, “Our Technology Transfer Office is actively operating. We make great efforts in university–industry collaboration. Our achievements are recognized and rewarded by national and international ranking organizations.”

Opening Lecture: “Gaza”

The first lecture of the new academic year was dedicated to the people of Palestine under the title “First Lecture: Gaza.” The lecture was delivered by Asst. Prof. Ali Semin, who drew attention to the historical and humanitarian dimensions of Gaza, emphasizing the importance of students developing awareness of global events.

A Strong Start to the New Academic Year

The 2025–2026 Academic Year Opening Ceremony of Istanbul Gelisim University reflected both the sensitivity shown toward economic and social issues and the university’s internationalization goals, marking a strong start to the new term. The messages conveyed during the ceremony once again highlighted the university’s pioneering role in education, science, and social responsibility.