In the workshop, which was shaped around the themes of efficiency, inclusiveness and artificial intelligence-supported learning, the "Digital Learning Vision 2026-2030" document, which will guide the digital transformation processes in higher education, was put forward.

"New Paradigms in Distance Education: Efficiency, Inclusiveness and Artificial Intelligence Supported Learning Workshop" was held by Istanbul Kültür University Distance Education Application and Research Center (UZEMER) on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Design Factory in the Ataköy building of Bakırköy Campus.

The program, which started at 09.30, continued with the opening session after the breakfast organization where the participants came together. The opening speech of the workshop was made by our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil. In her speech, Prof. Dr. Tiftikçigil drew attention to the importance of digital transformation in higher education and the development areas of distance education and emphasized the importance of participatory and data-based approach in terms of institutional development.

Within the scope of the program, our UZEMER Director and Workshop President Assist. Prof. Neslihan Fatma Er made evaluations about the current distance education practices of our university with her presentation titled "Distance Education Situation Analysis". Then, our Software and Innovation Manager Dr. Ahmet Gökhan Uluçay made a presentation titled "New Technologies in Distance Education". In the presentation; he shared current developments in artificial intelligence, learning analytics and digital learning technologies with the participants. Information about the workshop process was given by Competence and Digital Media Specialist Efe Anğın.

In the table studies, which constituted the main part of the workshop, the participants came together in six different working groups. In the sessions structured on the axes of "Efficiency", "Inclusiveness" and "Artificial Intelligence Supported Learning"; Topics such as quality assurance in academic processes, monitoring student performance, measurement and evaluation approaches, accessibility, digital belonging, artificial intelligence literacy, academic ethics, adaptive learning systems and personalized learning designs were discussed. Participants evaluated current practices and developed recommendations for the future of digital learning in higher education.

In the afternoon sessions, the outputs of the desks were presented and joint evaluations were made. The opinions, suggestions and priority development areas put forward by each table were combined in a common framework by addressing them with a holistic approach.

As the most important output of the workshop, the "Digital Learning Vision 2026-2030" document, which was prepared to guide the digital transformation processes in higher education, was put forward. The document includes strategic goals such as the development of a digital learning ecosystem, the effective and ethical use of artificial intelligence-supported educational practices, the strengthening of inclusive learning environments, the restructuring of assessment and evaluation processes, and the dissemination of data-based decision-making mechanisms.

The vision document, which is shaped by the joint contributions of the participants, is aimed to guide the institutional development studies of Istanbul Kültür University in the field of distance education and digital learning and to contribute to good practices in higher education.

Istanbul Kültür University continues to develop innovative approaches for the future of higher education and contribute to the production of academic knowledge with its studies in the fields of digital transformation and artificial intelligence-supported learning.

Our Head of the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema Assoc. Prof. Perihan Taş Öz, as the Competition Director of the International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, participated in the 26th International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival held in Frankfurt, Germany between 12-19 June 2026. She attended the International Frankfurt Turkish Film Festival as an official guest representing our university.

In the festival, which brings together the distinguished productions of Turkish and German cinema; Well-known names of the art world such as Erdal Özyağcılar, Perihan Savaş, Sibel Kekilli, Şebnem Bozoklu, Yekta Kopan and Ozan Akbaba also took part. The festival, which was held for the 26th time this year, brought cinema lovers together with its screenings and competitions in the categories of feature, short and documentary films.

Within the scope of Assoc. Prof. Perihan Taş Öz's participation in the festival as an official guest, evaluations were made to improve our university's academic and sectoral collaborations in the field of national and international cinema.

"Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools and Effective Usage Strategies Training for Academics" was held online on 9-10 June 2026 by Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Distance Education Application and Research Center (UZEMER) in order to support academics in their effective use of artificial intelligence technologies in their education and research processes.

A total of 88 people, most of whom were academic staff, participated in the two-day training program organized on the Microsoft Teams platform. Within the scope of the program, Y Innovation Inc. Co-Founders Serkan Kav and Ali Nihat Uzunalioğlu met with the participants. On the first day of the training, the topics of "Introduction to Academic Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Use" and on the second day, "Artificial Intelligence Tools in Academic Production Processes" were discussed.

Within the scope of the program, participants were presented with up-to-date information and application examples regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence tools in educational activities, scientific research and academic content production processes. Participants had the opportunity to examine the methods related to the use of artificial intelligence technologies in lesson planning, content development, support of research processes, academic writing and assessment and evaluation applications through practical examples.

At the end of the training, which was completed with the participation of faculty members and administrative staff from different departments and programs of our university, it was observed that participant satisfaction was high in line with the evaluation questionnaire applied and the feedback received.

Istanbul Kültür University continues its efforts to support the digital competencies of academic and administrative staff and to integrate current developments in educational technologies into educational processes.

Our University Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MOBIGEN) academicians, Assist. Prof. Pelin Özfiliz Kılbaş and Assist. Prof. Sinan Meriç stated that as a result of the Internal Panel evaluations carried out within the scope of the "TÜBİTAK 1812 BIGG 2026-1 Call Period" carried out with the support of IKÜANTS TEKMER, were entitled to move on to the "2nd Stage".

In the evaluation process carried out in line with the criteria determined by TÜBİTAK; the content and nature of the business idea of the entrepreneur candidates, the market situation of the product or service, the competence of the project team and the adequacy of the preliminary work were taken into consideration.

Our academicians who were found successful as a result of the evaluations, TÜBİTAK 1812 BIGG Program will continue to work in the 2nd application and preparation process.

We congratulate our academicians for this important success they have achieved in their entrepreneurial journey, and we wish them success on the 2nd stage of the TÜBİTAK 1812 BIGG Program.

Within the framework of the project carried out in cooperation with Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Vocational School (MYO) Program of Fashion Design and the Chinese Embassy, an award and certificate ceremony was held on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11.00 in the 1A01 amphitheater in the İncirli building of the Bakırköy Campus.

The program, in which the design works of our students with effort, creativity and devotion were awarded; Our Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. Mehmet Özer, our academicians, students and guests showed great interest.

We sincerely congratulate our students who stand out with their original perspectives in the field of fashion design and have achieved degrees with their successful works; and would like to thank all our students, academics and stakeholders who contributed to the project.

Poster presentations and evaluations of the thesis studies carried out by our senior students of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MOBIGEN) within the scope of the "Graduation Project I" and "Graduation Project II" courses were held on June 12, 2026, in front of MOBIGEN in the backyard of the Ataköy building on the Bakırköy Campus. Our students presented their thesis projects that they have been working on throughout the year, accompanied by the posters they prepared. After the event, the graduation cake was cut with the participation of our department faculty members and IKU badges were given to the students.

We congratulate our students for their success and wish them success in their future academic and professional lives.

The "Best Project Exhibition and Awards" event was held by the Department of Architecture on Thursday, June 2, 2026, at 12.30 in the 2nd floor C corridor of the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus. At the ceremony attended by lecturers and students;

Shalom Anıker Duku from "ARC0001 Architectural Design I", Yusuf Koçhisarlı from "ARC0003 Architectural Design III", Sıla Yazıcı from "ARC0005 Architectural Design V", Leman Aylin Birgül from "ARC0007 Architectural Design VII", Furkan Atahan Aksoy from "ARC 0080 Graduation Project"

students named won the award.

We congratulate our students and wish them continued success.

Within the framework of the project carried out in cooperation with Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Vocational School (MYO) Opticianry Program and the Chinese Embassy, an award and certificate ceremony was held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

Our Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. Mehmet Özer, our academicians, students and guests showed great interest in the program, where the design works of our students with effort, creativity and dedication were awarded.

We would like to thank all our students, academics and stakeholders who contributed to the project; and sincerely congratulate our students who ranked high.

The Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering organized the "2025-2026 Academic Year Graduation Projects Presentations" and "Alumni Panel" event on Friday, June 12. 

The article of our Deputy Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering Assist. Prof. İlayda Ülkü titled "Predicting College GPA Using Machine Learning: An Analysis of Key Academic Performance Factors", prepared together with our alumni Elif Beyza Akyar and Ceren Kabaoğlu, has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Engineering Approaches.

Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Graduate Education Institute Graduation Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, between 15.00-17.30 at Akıngüç Auditorium and Art Center in the Ataköy building of Bakırköy Campus.