A Major Achievement for IGU at the CoHE Barrier-Free University Awards: Blue Flag Candidacy

Prof. Hakan Yıldırım, a faculty member at Istanbul Gelisim University, has achieved a significant milestone in the international academic arena. His study, published in The Journal of Futures Markets, a journal indexed in SSCI and Scopus and classified in the Q2 category, has been honored with the “Top Cited Article” award by prestigious academic publisher Wiley.

Istanbul Gelisim University continues to strengthen its academic structure in the field of health sciences. The application process for the Midwifery Department, planned to be established within the Faculty of Health Sciences, has concluded with a positive outcome. The new department is expected to broaden the scope of the university's health education and contribute to the training of qualified health professionals.

Istanbul Gelisim University has achieved another significant milestone through its work in accessibility and inclusivity in higher education. In line with a decision of the Council of Higher Education’s Higher Education Administrative Board dated December 24, 2025, IGU has earned Blue Flag candidacy under the Barrier-Free University Awards 2025 in recognition of the improvements it made in the “Access in Socio-Cultural Activities” category.

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) and Gökkuşağı Koleji have been honored with the “Institutional Special Award” at the 2025 Antalya Press Awards, organized by the Antalya Journalists Association (AGC), in recognition of their contributions to education and their joint cooperation programs. At the organization, where the year’s most successful work in journalism was evaluated, a total of 16 entries across different categories were found award-worthy following a jury meeting held at Nirvana Cosmopolitan Hotel. The jury, chaired by Anadolu Agency Domestic News Director Orhan Topal, evaluated submissions across numerous fields including news, interview, sports, culture and arts, environment, and economics. A total of 153 entries were submitted to the competition.

The 2nd Sineakademi International Congress on Cinema and Media Studies (SİNEMED 2026), positioned at the intersection of cinema, media, and artificial intelligence, will be held in Diyarbakır from May 13-15, 2026. The congress aims to bring together the evolving landscape of academia and the industry, examine the rapidly changing world of audiovisual production from an interdisciplinary perspective, and create a strong international platform for scientific exchange.

The Celal Er U23 and Elite Senior Turkish Muaythai Championship, part of the Turkish Muaythai Federation's 2026 program, concluded in Mersin after a series of thrilling bouts. The event, drawing athletes from all across Türkiye, stood out for its high level of competition and performance. Istanbul Gelisim University Sports Club athlete Cihan Doğu became the champion of the tournament with an outstanding display.

The International Mixed Exhibition on Different Formations organized through a collaboration between Istanbul Gelisim University's Center for Art and Design (SATMER) and the Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), opened its doors to art lovers to a large audience.

The “Cities of the Future Summit”, organized by Istanbul Gelisim University Architecture and Design Club, brought together academics, industry professionals, and students around the themes of sustainability, artificial intelligence, and innovative design. The summit examined the concepts of city, architecture, and space from a multidimensional perspective, offering participants a rich experience both in theory and in practice.

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) FEASS Vice Dean Asst. Prof. Özlem Tuğçe Keleş is serving as coordinator for the Gaziantep Gastronomy Short Film Festival (Gastroff 2026). IGU’s academic expertise and its support for cultural projects are once again making their mark on this important event.

The “Peer Mentorship and Student Leadership Program”, organized by Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) the Office of Dean of Students on March 31 and April 1, 2026 for different student groups, brought together undergraduate mentor candidates. Held at the IGU Student Center, the training examined in detail the duties and responsibilities of mentors who will guide students new to the university.