Hüsnü Özyeğin'den Gençlere Tavsiyeler

Hello everyone! Welcome. I'm Hakan Güldağ. Today we're at Özyeğin University, founded in 2007, which accepted its first students in 2008. We're joined by Hüsnü Özyeğin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Welcome, sir!

Let me introduce them: Nazlı Meltem Yücel, Osman Doğan Yirmibeşoğlu, Barış Erdinçler, his wife Eseniş Kutlay, and Mehmet Can Keskin. You're all in different corners of the world, joining from various places. Today we'll discuss the founding philosophy of Özyeğin University, especially the vision of its founder, Mr. Hüsnü Özyeğin. I'd also like to briefly review some milestones of Mr. Hüsnü Özyeğin's career: graduated from Robert College in 1963, completed Civil Engineering at Ohio State in 1967, earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1969, held roles at Pamukbank and Yapı Kredi, then in 1987 he founded Finansbank, which became one of the most valuable exits in Turkish banking history. He's also Chairman of FIBA Group, honorary president, and continues his advisory roles including at Harvard Business School. Now, you're known primarily for your business successes, but you also have a very strong social entrepreneurship side. Özyeğin University seems to be the most concrete example of this vision. How did this social entrepreneurship emerge? Can you connect it with the founding of Özyeğin University? What kind of dream did you have?

This entrepreneurship aspect particularly interests me. I wonder, if Turkey were to rank universities by investment in their graduates, where would Özyeğin stand? In such a short time—from founding in 2007 to accepting students in 2008—it's no small feat to become one of the region's most important universities with students from 43 countries. I want to ask sincerely: how do you evaluate what Özyeğin University has achieved so far? What grade would you give it? How have expectations been met, and what are your expectations going forward?

That's quite significant—50 percent is a major commitment. Let me ask you this: if you were choosing a university today, taking into account both the present and the future, would you choose Özyeğin University? Why? Which qualities would lead you to choose it?

Let me now turn to our alumni. Dr. Meltem Yücel, you graduated from the Social Sciences Faculty, correct? Could you tell us briefly about yourself and what Özyeğin University changed in your life—what differences has it created in your current and future life?

I graduated from Koç High School and chose Özyeğin University's Psychology department in 2011. I visited 18-19 universities before choosing it. While at Özyeğin, I did summer research at institutions including the Max Planck Institute's evolutionary anthropology department. The benefits of those internships still persist eleven years later, and I still benefit from the academic network I built there. I graduated as the top student in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Psychology department, then won a Fulbright scholarship. However, I chose Virginia University for my fully-funded doctoral program. During my doctorate, I won 49 national and international awards, my master's thesis was selected as the best international doctoral student article, and my doctoral research received the American Psychological Association's dissertation research award. I taught at Duke and 25 other schools. Now I'm doing my postdoc at Duke University.

That's wonderful. This reminds me of something I recently read about climate change affecting primates—chimpanzees organized and attacked gorillas because their food sources were shrinking. Anthropology is one of those fields that concerns us all very closely. Turkey must be involved in these subjects. It's so good that you're in these fields, so we at least have a presence. Where are you joining from right now?

I'm actually in Turkey right now, but I normally live in North Carolina where I work. Since I study children's moral development, I'm also researching children's attitudes toward the environment. There are truly very important issues here, and I don't think it's possible to progress without being aware of them.

Mr. Özyeğin emphasized the importance of education, and I believe it's our number one issue. Seeing you all gives us great joy and excitement. Thank you. Let's continue with another graduate, Dr. Osman Doğan Yirmibeşoğlu.

I graduated with a double major in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering from Özyeğin. Earlier, in high school, I was doing engineering projects—devices measuring water's refraction index, solar-powered cars—I wanted to do robotics. I applied to seven universities, all for robotics or mechatronics, but none had a robotics program. I had doubts until I visited Özyeğin and met Reha Civanlar, who was then a faculty member. I described my projects and he gave me such enthusiastic, forward-looking responses. I felt a real energy. I sensed that at Özyeğin, I could actually do what I wanted to do. That experience really affected me. When I graduated, I moved to Oregon State for my PhD. I worked on developing a robot for heart surgery, designing its mechanical structure. I graduated from Electrical Engineering in 2014 and Mechanical Engineering in 2015. What Özyeğin taught me most was presentation skills—you can have knowledge, but you need to turn it into impact. Those presentation skills, the ability to market yourself, and the network I built are what brought me here. No matter how successful you are, what takes you to the next level is your connections and how you leverage them.

What you describe reminds me of Erdal Arıkan, who established the theoretical foundation of polar codes. He said the practical implementation would take time. In you, I see both the theoretical and practical sides. This will open entirely new horizons. Thank you for these insights. Let me move to Barış Erdinçler now. How did your journey unfold after Özyeğin, and what imprint did it leave on you?

Hello again. I graduated from the Architecture department in 2018. I had been visiting Istanbul University when Hüsnü Bey came to present Özyeğin, and what he said—particularly about enabling students to stand on their own feet and go abroad—really drew me in. I had some concerns about a young university, but I saw it as an opportunity. Architecture is traditionally quite traditional and rigid, so breaking those molds is harder. But the school's youth and strong academic staff gave me the chance to try new things. The school sent me abroad for an internship during my studies—that was my first time leaving the country. That experience and the self-confidence it gave me led to a second trip abroad to London, where I worked on the intersection of architecture with machine learning, AI, and robotics. I graduated from there and currently still work at a world-renowned architecture firm that every architect knows. While studying, I also worked at the sports center for four years—earning my own money. I paid for my overseas master's program with money I earned working. Today I'm working in architectural programming, and all of this was possible because of the school's emphasis on self-reliance, its youthful and research-oriented structure. In this office of 30 people, many work on AI, machine learning, and robotics—areas beyond traditional architecture. Having connections from different departments—computer science, mechanical engineering—because of the campus environment enables interdisciplinary thinking, which is hugely valuable.

Thank you very much. Let's now move to law, with our graduate Eseniş Kutlay. Perhaps you can start with a brief introduction.

Hello again to all participants and to student candidates who may watch this later. I'm sending my love and respect from Turkey. I normally live in Tilburg, Netherlands, but I'm in Turkey for a short visit and had the opportunity to join you. I graduated from Özyeğin in 2018. Like Barış, I was among the early graduates. Özyeğin being a new university drew me in because I believed in its dynamism. I also believed in the name itself. Even before starting law faculty, I had tried to do an internship here. The stability and consistency in the university's management were very important to me. I chose Özyeğin because I believed that at other universities, ownership changes and unpredictable situations could affect quality. The brand itself was like a promise—and I believed that promise would be kept.

What kind of appeal or reason did it create for you in your decision?

Yes, definitely. That sense of identity was a source of self-confidence for me—a kind of self-assurance.

A brand, in a sense—this was a promise made, and you believed it would be honored.

Yes, exactly. A brand is ultimately a promise, and I believed that promise would be fulfilled.

I believe I made the right decision. As I mentioned, I entered Özyeğin University with the goal of providing legal consulting—a professional objective. I wanted to be a lawyer, and from the very beginning I directed myself toward this field. From the first year onward, I was able to connect with industry professionals and found scholarship opportunities. Students with a certain GPA were provided with internship placements, and by the time I graduated, I had completed approximately four separate six-month internships. I believe I graduated with a significant accumulation of experience, which is essentially equivalent to the second pillar of the bar exam.

Looking back at what Özyeğin University's law faculty gave me, I must say the university is truly forward-looking and invests in the future. In law and the law academy, one of our proposals was to focus on emerging fields that fall into gaps—such as medical law, information technology law, artificial intelligence law, and sports law. Our law faculty always oriented toward these areas and organized certificate programs to train qualified lawyers in these fields. I personally participated in the energy law certificate program with great excitement. The knowledge I gained here, combined with my professors' expertise in this field, sparked both an academic and professional passion for me.

That's wonderful. May God bless your future path. Thank you. What do you say about what comes after this?

After graduation, I felt drawn to academia. I completed my bar exam internship and then applied to Koç University for a master's degree in private law with an international law focus. Two weeks ago, I graduated with honors from Leiden University with a double master's in human rights and international relations—a dual specialization.

That's wonderful, we really need people with such qualifications. The world truly needs this today. Thank you very much. Now, let's turn to another one of the six faculties and three vocational schools within Özyeğin University—the School of Applied Sciences. Let's welcome one of our graduates, Mehmet Can Eski. Welcome!

Hello, Hakan Bey. How are you?

I'm fine, how are you? We're all running around. We'll hear the real news from you.

Your career goals may have started in a similar place. As far as I know, you graduated from the Hospitality Management department. Why did you choose Özyeğin specifically?

Hello everyone. Actually, Hakan Bey, I first chose my profession and then pursued the university education. Hospitality was already my preference—I had made five program choices, and Özyeğin's similarity to international university programs was the reason for my selection.

Özyeğin was truly the startup of my life. The four-year education period was also my investment. I believe time investment is the greatest investment a person can make.

Could you say that again? "Özyeğin was the startup of my life"—that was a great summary. Could you repeat what you said?

Of course. Özyeğin was the startup of my life, and I believe the four-year education period was my investment. Time investment is the greatest investment a person can make.

Yes, exactly.

The executive program was very comprehensive. I particularly benefited from the seminar courses. In hospitality and tourism, this is very important—I believe it applies to all fields of business. I especially found great value in the relationships with industry professionals. These seminar courses gave me the opportunity to meet sector leaders and truly prepared me for professional life.

So even while you were still in school, before graduating, did you feel ready for professional life?

Our faculty members, the professionals who came to give lectures—the comprehensive nature of these courses, from idealism to the practical kitchen, from finance onward—it was a very comprehensive hotel management program that truly prepared me for working life.

Thank you very much. Now, with your permission, I'd like to ask about this concept of "life's startup." I'd like to direct this question to Hüsnü Bey. Özyeğin University's graduates have shared some examples. You said "life's startup"—what does this concept mean to you? Is there something in your life that you would call the startup of your life? I'm curious about that too.

And as they advance in their careers, more opportunities come their way.

I think that example was very important—actually seeing, experiencing these things. Özyeğin University clearly provides these opportunities based on what the graduates have said. But let me ask a more general question: what competencies does a university need to develop in order to prepare students for the business world? What do you think are the key competencies that Özyeğin University provides?

Thank you very much. We'll be speaking with Esra Hocam as well, and I'll especially direct this question to her. Now, with your permission, I'd like to turn back to our graduate friends and ask them: what does Özyeğin University do to prepare students for the business world with the right competencies? Let's keep it brief. Meltem Yücel, shall we start with you?

First of all, Özyeğin listens to its students. From the very first day I started school, I knew I wanted to be an academician, and I also knew I didn't want to work in the corporate world. When I expressed this, many of our professors—especially Rector Esra Hocam—were very supportive. Thanks to the career center, I gained interview experience and corrected my mistakes. I won a research award, and Hüsnü Bey introduced me to another professor on the board of directors. He provided me with many network connections. Özyeğin University even gave me a summer research fund, which allowed me to travel to the United States and stay there for research. I also went to Germany for research. The support and trust they gave me were crucial in helping me advance in these areas. If the school had said no and closed its doors, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do these things on my own.

The school also supported me through presentation skills training and other ways, but most importantly through moral support—giving me the confidence that I could achieve what I wanted.

I especially want to ask about this networking aspect. This connectivity—these relationship networks—is one of Özyeğin's standout features. The student doesn't feel alone. Even Hüsnü Özyeğin's personal relationships and personal connections can come into play to help students.

Yes. When I talk to my friends in Turkey and abroad, most of them—especially those abroad—don't believe it. Since they come from very large universities, they can't imagine that a rector might know you personally, or that the founder of the university might know you. When they hear about this support, their jaws drop. The number of schools that provide this kind of support, from what I've seen, is virtually nonexistent—or very few. So it's understandable that they find it hard to believe. Özyeğin has truly been incredibly supportive. And those connections—as I mentioned, during a 2014 internship, the professor I worked with is now my dissertation advisor in Germany. When I visit conferences, I see the people from my undergraduate years—my advisors. They've become professors at other universities. The knowledge I gained and the people I met during those internships are still contacts and helpers ten years later. That's why for me, Özyeğin was the startup of my life. The chance to benefit from these kinds of opportunities again is truly invaluable.

Now, if a graduate of Özyeğin came to you and said, "I graduated from Özyeğin but I need some kind of support—can you point me in the right direction?" You're trying to call, knocking on the door. What would you do?

I already help many people this way, voluntarily and without charge. Last year, in addition to professional support, I created a website called "Sesimi Duyanvar" where I collected international internship opportunities, information about international university open days, and similar resources. It was distributed even within Özyeğin's psychology department. Even though I was writing my doctoral dissertation at the time, I wanted to create a single resource where thousands of people could access the same opportunities. Despite being only 6-7 months old, it has been used by over 17,000 people from 93 different countries. It's become a reference resource for questions like how to find internships, how to apply for psychology doctoral programs, and similar topics.

Thank you very much. Now, Osman Doğan Yirmibeşoğlu, you gave us a hint in our previous conversation. I'll ask the same question again: what does Özyeğin do differently to prepare its students for the business world with the right competencies? We all know the saying that you can't fully learn what you need for business life at school, but now there seems to be a counterargument.

Let me tell you something. Of course, there's a different level at every stage of our lives, and this is all completely spontaneous. I'm not reading from notes. What Özyeğin does differently is definitely listening to students. I saw the Oregon State president once, but I saw the Özyeğin rector every week. We messaged each other constantly. The rector said, "Thank you for everything, but ask me questions now." It's important. They make the internships very valuable. I entered in 2009, and until 2009 I had three months off every summer, but by the end I realized I'd been playing top-level football the whole time. The internships make you feel the real stakes of life—you realize you need to prepare yourself. Within four years, you develop yourself. I think one of the most important things is how Özyeğin blends academics with the working life. There's no gap between learning and working. They assess your knowledge in that integrated way, which I think is very important.

Networking—I mentioned the student presidency and the things I did there. By the way, it reminds me—I want to show a photo. At Oregon State University, there's a picture of you from when you were student body president. The student body presidents' photos are displayed like this, big and prominent. You look so handsome! Let me show it again. It's from 1967 when student body presidents were photographed inside the Memorial building. I went there in 2015, saw the photo, and took a picture of it. It really moved me emotionally.

You said the knowledge and experience you gained there opened a door for you. How did that happen?

My advisor started working at Oregon State. I asked, "How does this work? I want to learn." He said, "Apply, and if they accept you, come." I applied. The process started from Facebook profile level. I went through a three-stage selection process. The experience I gained at Özyeğin—particularly the internet and digital experience—was invaluable. I had never done anything related to a country campaign online before, but I had internet experience with companies. Thanks to that experience, I navigated through the three stages successfully, giving the right answers at each step because I had learned how to behave professionally through the Professional Development Center. They simulate the experience for you in real time. You don't panic when a tricky question comes because you know what they're really asking. You respond strategically, like chess—thinking several moves ahead, considering the purpose behind the question. That was very important for me. Özyeğin excels at this.

Thank you very much, Osman Bey. Now let's continue with Barış Erdinçler. Same question: this networking matter is incredibly important—the fact that the entire network is available to all students and graduates. As you mentioned earlier, being prepared and having practiced is important because the most important learning happens through practice, not just listening. You mentioned networking and presentations. What other differences would you like to highlight?

The networking aspect also comes from the school's selection of academics. Most of the people here are simultaneously active in the industry, so you're not in a purely academic environment. The academics can provide you with serious professional insights because they're actively working in these fields. That's why the relationship with academics isn't like an iron curtain—you can always talk to them. We had the chance to learn many things together. For example, while I was at school, I had the opportunity to participate in architectural competitions with my professors. In architecture, many projects are realized through competitions. Whenever a major client wants something, they hold a competition and send invitations. This is quite normal in the field, but if you're not used to it, it can be quite daunting.

Another thing is the internships that the school requires. The internships played a very important role for me. I had different types of architectural internships, and these helped me decide before graduation that I wanted to work in this sector. The school didn't close any doors. As an academic, I've been able to try all these different paths. As you approach graduation, you've already accumulated experience in this area. Another thing—as I mentioned, I was working while studying. Architecture education is already very intensive, but adding work on top of that—both gave me excellent mentors and helped me develop work discipline. You have your social life, your work life, and your academic life all at once, and you learn to balance them. After graduation, I went directly to a master's program in my field, and then started working. Normally you'd need much more experience, but since Özyeğin had already provided me with internships, I was able to get a position at a major firm very quickly. The network that existed from the very beginning—I noticed it right away when Hüsnü Bey recognized me. Thanks to them, I'm where I am today. Through these experiences, you develop self-confidence, and when you enter the business world, you're not starting from scratch. You've already gained all these diverse experiences, and you've made a smart choice.

Health to your words. Thank you very much. Can Bey, let me turn to you. From your perspective as someone from the vocational school—maybe you'd like to approach it from a different angle?

Thank you, Hakan Bey. As my friends mentioned, the university provides opportunities in many areas—faculty, campus environment, course content, social activities, clubs, and more. During my studies, I worked on a tourism-based startup. We established a green factory office at a tourism destination, and this was a great experience. The stakeholders there supported me in my entrepreneurial efforts. I also want to emphasize the tourism management courses, because they introduced me to industry professionals who became role models. Hotel management is a social field, and throughout our education we were constantly immersed in the industry. I've been working in the sector for over ten years now, in various positions. I started at Swissôtel and have been at Hilton for 15 years. I actually applied to Hilton through the university. There was an executive development program that the department supported, and thanks to that I got in. That's what I wanted to share.

These are very important points. I'm becoming clearer on this with every iteration—these are points that deserve to be underlined in red. I saw Özyeğin University as one of these practices: not only is it a young university, but it's supported in this way. Thank you all individually. Now, as my questions start to wind down—and I'm sure Hüsnü Bey and the rest of you have much more to share—I'd like to ask Hüsnü Bey one final question. In today's environment, with university entrance exams underway, what would your advice be to prospective students? As they choose their university, what should they pay attention to?

I truly enjoyed this. Perhaps we couldn't meet on campus, but I believe very important messages were delivered. Just as you said, very important points were emphasized by our graduates. I didn't know any of them personally—I know you—but I feel they know the world well. I sensed they're ready for the world, and that was very pleasing. No excuses or pretexts were discussed here; Özyeğin graduates don't seem to have that vocabulary. They seem to have a fighting spirit built into their nature, which is very gratifying. Their assessments were realistic yet optimistic. I wish success to all the prospective students making their choices—these decisions shape our lives. I've taken extensive notes and want to conclude by wishing health and success to everyone, especially those who contributed to this event. In these difficult times, I wish everyone good health. To our students, professors, parents, and prospective students—my warmest regards. Thank you, and goodbye.

Thank you very much. Goodbye, everyone.